Scholars give Rovers a finishing lesson

Potters Bar Town scored all four second half goal as Barton Rovers’ Calor Southern League Division One Central play-off hopes were dealt a blow with a 3-0 home defeat on Saturday.

Ben Bowditch (53) gave the visitors the lead with Jack Friend (58) netting soon after to put the Scholars in charge.

Josh Hutchinson’s 70th-minute penalty looked to put the game to bed as, although Friend’s own goal seconds later made it 3-1, the Blues couldn’t find a way back.

It as a bad day at the office for Rovers who missed a hatful of chances, while new signing BJ Christie came looked lively from the bench, but didn’t really get going in the 20 minutes he had.

Early efforts came and went for Rovers’ Rob Hastings in a scrappy first half.

Neither team found their stride in an even contest as blustery conditions made for broken and sporadic play.

Potters Bar emerged improved after the break as Bowditch put the visitors ahead on 53 minutes.

The Scholars doubled their lead five minutes later when Friend tapped in from close range after a goal mouth scramble.

Barton’s misery was completed when Paul Andrews was judged to have handled in the area and Hutchinson made no mistake from the spot.

Rovers did get on the scoresheet, but only by virtue of an own goal from Friend as clinical Potters Bar deservedly claimed the three points.

This Tuesday Barton host big name play-off rivals Kettering Town as former skipper Tommy Hull returns to Sharpenhoe Road, Rovers entertain Aylesbury United on Saturday and visit AFC Hayes the following Tuesday.

Attendance: 86.