Robbie Mason fired a hat-trick to ensure Royston Town ended 2013 with a thumping 4-1 victory at Potters Bar Town on Saturday.
The recalled frontman opened the scoring in the 24th minute when he converted a Lewis Endacott cross from the right.
On the stroke of half-time he added his second knocking in an Adie Cambridge free-kick which the Scholars failed to clear.
Before the half-time whistle blew though Bar pulled one back as Usama Hamdam fired past Crows’ keeper Will Norris.
A half-time change saw Carl Edwards brought on for Ross Collins and a frantic five opening minutes ensued with the home side bringing an early stop from Norris.
Thirteen minutes into the second half Mason completed his impressive hat-trick.
He ran on to a good through ball, side-stepped the out-coming keeper and powered the ball into the open goal.
Potters Bar were still battling to stay in the match and substitute Edwards produced a brilliant goal-saving tackle to deny the Scholars.
On 65 minutes Kaan Fehmi replaced Mason and was involved immediately, spearheading a strong period of Crows’ pressure that saw some frantic and determined defending from the home side.
A fourth goal did seem inevitable following this pressure and it came with a short corner move that found the hard-working Ryan Ingrey.
He delivered a low shot-cum-cross that fell to Craig Hammond at the far post who tapped in from two yards to complete the scoring.
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