Potters Bar's James Gershfield attacks down the wing

THE Scholars’ impressive unbeaten start to 2012 continued with a thorough second half demolition of Romford at Aveley’s Mill Field ground.

Potters Bar struck four times after the break on Saturday to secure the three points, which leaves them five points away from the play-off places in ninth.

Adam Lee’s team have now gone unbeaten in six Ryman League Division One North games since the Boxing Day defeat at Cheshunt, winning four and drawing two.

In that time they have scored 16 goals conceding just three.

Leading scorer James Gershfield had notched six since the turn of the year and Romford could find no answer to his strong running and pace as he dominated this match scoring three and setting up the fourth.

A goalless first half saw both sides battling to overcome a sticky pitch badly affected by the recent weather.

Both teams managed to produce some entertaining football with Bar having plenty of possession and The Boro countering with a number of chances of their own.

With better finishing from the wayward Romford strikers, Wale Odedoyin in particular, Romford could have gone in at half-time 3-0 to the good.

The big centre-forward missed chances to give the home side the lead wasting opportunities on at least three occasions.

As early as the ninth minute his weak effort from a corner was easily taken by keeper Matt Bennett.

On 21 minutes another chance fell his way but his attempt was woefully over the top.

Bar also had their opportunities in the first half.

Cole Penney set up Rob Magwood on 17 minutes but his two efforts on goal were blocked.

Gershfield provided the visitors best attempt of the half, his volleyed shot flying just over the Romford bar with home keeper Johnson stranded.

The second half saw The Scholars come out the sharper.

Gershfield found his way down the right before pulling back a pinpoint pass to the incoming Magwood to put the visitors one-up.

Just seven minutes later Bar were two ahead as Cole Penney’s pass caused panic in the Boro defence and Gershfield stepped in to score the second despite the attempts of skipper Paul Kavanagh to clear off the line.

Bar’s third came nine minutes later as Gershfield ran down the right shrugging off fouls from his pursuing defender only to be clumsily brought down as he entered the penalty box.

The in-form striker picked himself up to convert the spot-kick.

With 10 minutes to go Gershfield again found himself in space to run on and finish in style to complete his hat-trick on the day and take his season’s total to 14.

Next up for Potters Bar is a home clash with fellow play-off hopefuls Brentwood Town at the South Mimms Travel Stadium on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.