A first half goal from Stephen Cawley proved the difference as Dartford fell to defeat in their first home game of the season.

Despite a positive performance on opening day, Tuesday evening’s showing contained shades of last season’s misery.

Ady Pennock’s side started the game well. The athletic Samuel Okoye drilled the ball into the box, resulting in a deflected shot and the first of many unsuccessful Dartford set pieces.

Dartford’s young starlet Olly Box got the crowd on their feet as he danced past Ronnie Henry and accelerated to the byline. His resultant cross was, however, cut out by the Scholars’ defensive blockade.

Fellow academy graduate Sam Odaudu was also heavily involved and deservedly named man of the match. The fullback provided a number of promising crosses that became corners, but Tyler Christian-Law’s deliveries were unable to create any clear chances.

While the Darts failed to capitalise on their chances, the visitors grew into the game. Oreofe Bello was played through on goal and dragged his shot wide, but a tug on his shirt led to claims for a penalty from the away dugout. 

It was also Bello that crafted the chance for Potters Bar to take the lead. His tantalising ball into the box for Cawley was met well, as the number nine slotted past Matt Kerbey with his first touch to open the scoring.

Pennock’s half-time team talk seemed to have an impact, as the Darts’ performance markedly improved in the second half. An early counterattack saw Box lay the ball off for Callum Jones, who raced towards goal to face Sebastian Stacey in net, but his shot dribbled just wide of the far post.

The signing of former Kingstonian striker Eddie Dsane was announced just before kick-off, and his cameo off the bench did provide some hope for the hosts. He saw a speculative shot from range sail wide and was denied later in the game at the back post after receiving Okoye’s cross, as he was smothered by Stacey.

Although they held the lead, the visitors still threatened frequently. Bello and Luther Williams proved a great battle, with Williams winning most of his duels. It was in the midfield that Dartford really lacked, with no one demanding the ball off of the back three. This led to the ball often being hit long into the channels, from which the Darts found very little joy.

Dartford pressure certainly ramped up in the closing stages of the game. Captain Josh Hill found his acrobatic header from a corner saved, and the bar was also rattled during a late corner that saw Kerbey arrive from his goalmouth.

Potters Bar remained intent on holding onto their lead, winning nearly every loose ball while stopping it from entering their box. Their win displayed a great response to their 8-0 loss to Dover on Saturday, which manager Max Mitchell will certainly be pleased with. The Darts now look to their next home game against Canvey Island at the weekend, who have lost their opening two games.

Dartford: Kerbey, Okoye, Whitefield, Hill (c), Williams, Odaudu, Pinder, Olopade, Christian-Law (Dsane 62mins), Jones, Box.

Substitutes: Allen, Nayler, Dsane, Atkinson, Apat.

Yellow: Okoye.

Potters Bar: Stacey, Kito, Eadie, Dicks, Hayles, Henry (c), Bello (Smith-Kouassi 79mins), Jessop, Cawley (Gebrai 86mins), Augoustidis, Ekpiteta.

Substitutes: Heruel, Gebrai, Hayes, Aldana Ortiz, Smith-Kouassi.

Yellow: Henry, Ekpiteta, Eadie, Dicks, Jessop.

Attendance: 965.

Referee: Shawn Barclay.

Assistants: Andrew Crossley & Tony King.