St Albans City Reserves chalked up their third win in four Capital League outings on Monday but the 2-1 Western Division victory at Clarence Park over Potters Bar Town was achieved at some cost with midfielder Joe Finn suffering a badly jarred knee and striker Gary Cohen taken to hospital with mild concussion.

Both players picked up their injuries in the final ten minutes of the first half. Finn fell badly following a fair challenge by Rob Hare while Cohen collided with Town keeper Dave Lovell. Cohen was taken to St George’s hospital in Romford, which is close to his home, but is expected to be cleared to play in City’s FA Cup tie with Harlow Town this coming Saturday.

City were two goals to the good midway through the first half but a spirited second half fight back by their county rivals almost saw the points shared. Cohen opened the scoring on five minutes with a close range tap in after Lee Clarke headed towards goal from a Rod Hicks free kick.

Hicks also played a significant part in the Saints second goal on 22 minutes when he raced at speed down the City left and crossed low into the goalmouth where Clarke chipped the ball in from a few yards out. The rest of the half was overshadowed by the injuries sustained to Finn and Cohen, which caused great concern for first team boss Steve Castle and Reserve team manager Danny Milliken. Paramedics tended to both players at the ground.

Potters Bar enjoyed a good share of the play after the interval but caused few genuine problems for Saints keeper Chris Adams who saved in comfort from former City trialist Ryan Mattos and midfielder Ben Butler, while a crisp drive by Hare flew just over the home goal. A rare City foray into the Town half saw Tegana James work an opening only for his low shot to be saved by Lovell.

Five minutes from time a Potters Bar attack looked to have broken down until the ball rolled to the right edge of the penalty area where Jon Spencer’s misdirected cross looped high across Adams before striking the inside of the far post and bouncing into the Hatfield Road goal.

The visitors almost salvaged a point in the final minute when a cracking 25 yard drive by substitute Sean Bonncit Johnson flew narrowly wide of Adams right hand post.

St Albans City Reserves: Chris Adams, Edson Pascoal, Kerron Birch, Kwame Asamoah, Aiden Byfield, Jack Cartwright, Jamie Davidge (Stephane Bignall 55), Joe Finn (Sam Hurrell 42), Gary Cohen (Tegana James 46), Lee Clarke, Rod Hicks, subs; Craig Mortimer, Inih Effiong.

Potters Bar Town Reserves: Dave Lovell, Jon Spencer, Theo Davis, Ben Butler, Junior Luke, Emmanuel Anyiani Osiewe, Evans Kouasi (John Caicedo 72), Rob Hare, Ryan Mattos (Ryan Hervel 67), Yakouba Diaby (Sean Bonncit Johnson 60), Rubio Severino.

Goals: 1-0 Cohen (5), 2-0 Clarke (22), 2-1 Spencer (85).

Referee: Graham Monk.