Ryman League Division One North Redbridge 1 Potters Bar Town 0 POTTERS Bar Town are now eight league games without a win after a 1-0 away defeat to high-fliers Redbridge in Essex on Saturday. With five matches of the term remaining, the Scholars look set

Ryman League Division One North

Redbridge 1 Potters Bar Town 0

POTTERS Bar Town are now eight league games without a win after a 1-0 away defeat to high-fliers Redbridge in Essex on Saturday.

With five matches of the term remaining, the Scholars look set to finish just above the drop zone after a largely disappointing first season in charge for boss Steve Browne.

On a sticky, pudding of a pitch and against an experienced and well-organised Motormen side, Town failed to grab any points despite creating chances.

Bar managed once again to play some attractive football but come away with nothing to show for their efforts.

Potters Bar kicked off against the wind and threatened early on against their hosts, who are managed by former Wimbledon and Bolton Wanderers forward Dean Holdsworth.

Winger Serge Makofo burst into the box in his second game for the Parkfield club, only to be foiled by a fine tackle by David Collins.

Moments later, Bar were denied a penalty as Dean Chandler appeared to handle in the area.

The strong wind in Redbridge's favour was causing problems for the Bar defence and after nine minutes Jeff Hammond took advantage but shot narrowly wide.

Three minutes later Collins fed in Stephen Butterworth, who was unable to control and another chances was wasted.

With conditions as they were, the weather was always going to play a part in any goals.

This proved to be the case on 23 minutes as the home side took the lead.

A long ball from the left wing evaded the head of defender Precious Koko, allowing man-of-the-match Butterworth to run on and score a fine goal.

Ashlee Jones in the Bar goal was in fine form, making good saves from Butterworth and also holding onto a swerving shot from Mitch Haan.

Junior Dadson had perhaps the Scholars' best chance of the first half.

His drive following a George Sifonios free-kick was blocked and went out for a corner.

As the first period drew to a close, both sides exchanged chances.

A run upfield by Makofo saw his shot go wide of the Redbridge goal.

A Leon Fisher shot for the Motormen moments later brought a spectacular save from Jones.

On the stroke of half-time, a Makofo cross evaded Chris Haslam, who missed an attempted overhead kick.

The second half started with Potters Bar looking to take advantage of having the wind in their favour, but they had little luck.

A James Archer shot was blocked whilst a Makofo corner was only punched out to Dadson, who then put his effort wide of the target.

Koko had a glorious chance to pull the Scholars level with a quarter of an hour of the second half gone.

The athletic defender got his head to a Sifonios free-kick. However, he could only put his header wide of the post.

Chances continued to be created at both ends with Makofo again almost on the mark for Potters Bar as his shot flew narrowly wide.

Redbridge's Butterworth continued to pose problems for the visitors with his pace and running.

Bar gave a debut to teenage Luton Town loan signing Ashley Harrison-Barker but he could not rescue a point for the Scholars.

Tony Church almost doubled the score for Redbridge late on but Jones was once again on hand to pull off a magnificent double save.