Disappointment always lurks after a cup final loss but Potters Bar Town could see plenty of silver linings among the dark clouds.

The Scholars were beaten 2-1 by St Albans City in the final of the 2024 Herts Charity Cup in dramatic fashion.

They had led after a penalty of the stroke of half-time, scored by Ore Bello, but former Scholar Ken Charles equalised on 77 minutes before a deflected effort from Sam Meakes in the third minute of stoppage time gave Saints the trophy.

Bar manager Max Mitchell though was delighted with the way his side pushed the National League South side on their own pitch, and how close they came to winning.

Ore Bello scores a penalty for Potters Bar. Picture: ALICE HUMPHRIESOre Bello scores a penalty for Potters Bar. Picture: ALICE HUMPHRIES (Image: Alice Humphries/PBTFC)

He said: "It was [a good performance] but we can't get away from the fact we probably should have won the game.

"That's the feeling we have, that's the disappointment. We had multiple chances to make it two or even 3-0.

"I felt we were very good on the counter attack, especially in the second half, and there is a disappointed changing room in there. We have to lift ourselves up.

"In terms of preparations for the first game of the [league] season, it was a fantastic warm-up fixture.

"The performance filled me with a lot of encouragement. We have taken a top side to the wire, a side that are very good in possession.

"We were excellent out of possession but we had our spells also.

"We switched off in the dying embers of the game but it is a game where we have to look up rather than down."

And playing against higher-ranked opponents, in what was a glorified pre-season match, had its benefits. 

Mitchell said: "I felt we had moments but I also felt we could have had more moments. We could have changed the point of attack a bit quicker and been cleverer with what we were doing.

"And we did have spells and we'll probably look back on that and think we should have won the game.

"But it was a pleasing performance, we had a great work ethic from the group, and there were some really encouraging signs.

"There are always lessons in football, there are always lesson when you play a team like St Albans from the division above.

"We'll pick the bones out of it a little bit more when we come away from the emotion of it all.

"We'll make sure we are prepped and ready to go and see if there are any concerns going into next week.

"We've still got to get a few back, we had about six out, but this is a learning opportunity."

Attentions immediately turn now to the start of the Isthmian League Premier Division season on Saturday.

The Scholars play at their temporary home at Kings Langley against Dover Athletic and Mitchell believes the fixture list gives them a huge chance to flex their muscles and show this performance is not a flash in the pan.

He said: "To start with two sides that have come down [from National League South] is an opportunity for us to go and make a statement for sure.

"Our performance here, and over pre-season, this is game seven of an intense pre-season and we have seen signs of progression.

"I'd rather play [teams like Dover and Dartford] at the start of the season and this performance fills me with encouragement that we can go and lay a marker down for the season.

"If we play like that, work hard off the ball and make some small progressions and take learning opportunities from this, we'll start the season very well."