Potters Bar Town match report
match report by Simon Grier
In a season of high drama it was reassuring for Ks to secure a win that was anything but. Showing no signs of ring rust after a weather-enforced two week Christmas break, Ks produced a controlled performance to see off Lee O’Leary’s Potters Bar Town by two goals to one.
The playing surface was much improved from when Ks visited last season and it suited two sides who were keen to play with the ball on the deck. It was Ks who exerted more control though, moving the ball around the pitch around the pitch patiently and enjoying a good amount of possession in the opposition half.
It didn’t immediately manifest itself in chances – a wide Louie Theophanous effort was the only chance of note in the first half an hour for Ks, while Rob Tolfrey had to use his feet to deny Roman Michael-Percil – but eventually Ks’ patience paid off and they worked a way through the home defence.
Dan Bennett was at the heart of things, collecting the ball on the right and jinking inside before finding Theophanous. Ks’ centre-forward turned expertly to create himself some space and fired past R’avan Constable from just inside the penalty area.
Just before half-time it was two; Theophanous had the ball in a similar position to that from which he’d scored and although this time the defence blocked his shot, Bennett was on hand to collect the rebound and drive it into the far corner.
The second half was mainly comfortable for Ks although they were unable to add to their lead. Constable saved well from Reece Hall, while Theophanous got the ball caught under his feet when in a good position from a low Hall cross and then saw the goalkeeper save his free kick. Substitute Eddie Dsane broke free on goal but Constable was equal to his effort.
For the hosts’ part, Josh Hutchinson – a league golden boot contender – forced Tolfrey into a good save and then eventually grabbed a consolation goal deep into the stoppage time. But this was a good Ks performance against a team above them in the league, and Hayden Bird’s men can take confidence into their next two league games.
Potters Bar Town: R'avan Constable, Kieran Cathline, Dwight Pascal, Keagan Cole, James Budden, Will Wambeek, Thomas Gogo, George Nicholas, Josh Hutchinson, Brad Sach, Roman Michael-Percil.
Subs: Ben Ward-Cochrane (for Roman Michael-Percil, 70m), Imedd Kartita (for George Nicholas, 78m), Jack Humphrey, Stefan Powell, Ryan Young (for Dwight Pascal, 78m).
Kingstonian: Rob Tolfrey, Sean Clohessy, Fabio Saraiva, Harry Osborne, Ollie Cook, Kenny Beaney, Dan Bennett, Gus Sow, Louie Theophanous, Reece Hall, Dan Hector.
Subs: Eddie Dsane (for Reece Hall, 71m), Calum Davies, Dan Thompson, Tom Kavanagh (for Dan Bennett, 71m), Youssef Bamba (for Dan Hector, 88m)
Goal scorers: Louie Theophanous (35m, 0-1), Dan Bennett (44m, 0-2), Josh Hutchinson (90m, 1-2)
Attendance: 214
