Arlesey Town shared the points in their opening Ryman League Division One North game at Potters Bar. The Blues were clearly the more skilful team against physical opponents but they failed to make their superior footballing talent count. Their undoubted s

Arlesey Town shared the points in their opening Ryman League Division One North game at Potters Bar.

The Blues were clearly the more skilful team against physical opponents but they failed to make their superior footballing talent count.

Their undoubted strength in defence and a hard working midfield - with Craig Rydeheard and James Gray impressing in their first competitive outings for the club - was somewhat negated by a lack of potency up front.

Most impressive for Arlesey was Kaan Fehmi who delivered a polished display on the right and fully deserved his goal.

Against the wind in the first half, the play was largely confined to midfield but The Scholars almost took the lead when an attack down the left and some deft footwork from Woodward saw his shot beat Jack Rashid and strike the far upright.

In the 39th minute, Ozie Foster beat the onrushing home keeper Hayward to the ball and Fehmi, up in support of the attack, slotted the ball home.

With the wind advantage for the new half, Arlesey failed to make the elements count. The Scholars pressed forward although the Blues held firm despite conceding several corners.

The assistant referee then made the decisive decision of the game when he awarded a penalty for handball against Steve Dogbe.

Richard Howard had driven the ball against the Arlesey player from less than a yard on the deadball line. The referee did not want to know but his colleague flagged and the delighted home forward accepted this gift.

Potters Bar gave the visitors 10 minutes of concern before Arlesey launched a series of attacks with Michael McKenzie prominent.

Blues: Rashid, Fehmi (Barr 81), Bloss, Stanley, George, Dogbe, Williams (Tekell 72), Gray, Foster (Johnson 78), McKenzie, Rydeheard.

n Arlesey Athletic won by the odd goal in five against Amersham in the SML Division One.

Athletic only included five players from last season's squad.

They went ahead in the 33rd minute when Mark Phillips squared the ball for fellow striker Gareth Boness to beat the keeper from 10 yards. The favour was returned two minutes later when Boness crossed into the path of Phillips for him to easily find the net.

Athletic struck again as youngster Chris Reeves allowed Boness to get his second and the team's third. Amersham pulled goals back after 59 and 69 minutes but Athletic held on for the three points.

Athletic: Waters, Johnson, Emery, Gregory (Irving 11), Gipson, McIver (Shambrook 70), Randall, Reeves, Phillips, Boness, Mahoney.