Grier's Guide to Potters Bar Town
The game: Potters Bar Town v Kingstonian, Isthmian Premier. Tuesday 22 February, 19:45.
The club: Formed in 1960 as Mount Grace Old Scholars, an old boys' team for a local school, they became Potters Bar Town on reaching the South Midlands League in 1991. They reached the Southern League in 2005 and the Isthmian Premier in 2018.
The town: Town just to the north of London, originally a small agricultural village but - much like Surbiton - now very much a commuter town since the coming of the railways in Victorian times. Famous residents include actor Martin Freeman, golfer Tony Jacklin and Suede guitarist Bernard Butler.
The ground: The Pakex Stadium Parkfield, Watkins Rise (off The Walk), Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, EN6 1QB. It's one of the league's smaller grounds with a smallish main stand and a covered terrace behind one of the goals.
Directions: The station is about a ten minute walk from the ground - it takes about half an hour from Kings Cross or you can also pick up the train from Finsbury Park, on the Victoria Line from Vauxhall. If you can brave the M25 in rush hour it's a short drive from junction 24, with parking available in the streets nearby.
Tickets: £5 adults / £1 under 16s. Special reduced prices for this game.
Our record there: This is the umpteenth attempt at playing this match - attempt number one was abandoned in the second half with Potters Bar leading 1-0 due to a waterlogged pitch - the first attempt at the replay in December was postponed for the same reason.
Recent form: Two wins from four games since Sammy Moore replaced Lee O’Leary as manager, including a 2-1 win against the K’s at King George’s Field.
Players to watch: Short-time K’s man Frazer Shaw made three appearances for us, joined Potters Bar, made his debut against us, should have been sent off but wasn’t and helped his new team beat his old team... Another recent K's release, Calvin Ekpiteta, has just moved to the Scholars.
Crowd: Typically around the 230 mark, although a couple of years ago over 2,000 crammed into the ground for an FA Cup tie against Barnet.
Drinking: Right by the station is The Old Manor which, as its name suggests, is in an old building with wooden beams from the ceilings. It does upmarket pub food and has a smart outdoor area. A little way up from the station there's the Admiral Byng, a Wetherspoons. The other side of the ground, on the High Street, Cask & Stillage has Sky Sports and large beer garden, and there's also a Harvester.
Food: Choices on the High Street include the Co-op, M&S, a burger bar, a Chinese, a Mediterranean bistro and various takeaways. McDonald's and Subway are opposite the station for those travelling in a hurry.
