Nationwide Conference
15 November 2003

By Iain Dalziel

In the conference ‘Match of the Day’, Barnet travelled to leaders Chester with a chance of going top. However, a fabulous Alex Smith goal denied the Bees and kept Chester top.

The game started with both sides looking quite nervous, neither wanting to give anything away early on. Barnet started with an interesting midfield, strikers Strevens and Hatch started on the wings with Gamble and Yakabu in the middle.

After a tight first ten minutes the home side started to settle down and put the Bees under pressure. City were looking strong, but not putting much pressure directly on Gore’s goal. However they were winning a lot of corners and most possession was in Barnet’s half.

Barnet created very few chances in the first half, a quickly taken free-kick from Hendon, which was blocked by the head of a Chester defender, and a half chance which Grazioli feebly hit, giving Brown an easy save.

However, despite Chester being on top it didn’t look as though either side would be ahead at the break. Yet, some good play in the middle of the park led to a good ball being played to Alex Smith. Smith, who recently re-signed for Chester, was given all the space and time in the world as the Bees defence failed to close him down.

Taking his time he looked up before unleashing a stunning shot which flew straight past Shane Gore into the top corner. Except for the South Stand, where the Bees supporters were, the Deva Stadium exploded as City went ahead. Once the celebrations were over the referee blew his whistle, and Barnet went in one down at the interval.

Second Half

The second half began in a similair way to the first, neither side wanting to give a goal away. However, Barnet started to look a bit more adventurous when Williams replaced Hatch on the right wing in the opening minutes of the second half.

The former Brentford player instantly started causing McIntyre problems down the right and this seemed to spur on the rest of the side. Hendon began to get forward more, supporting ‘Willow’ and sending some dangerous balls into the box.

Barnet were now in control and an equaliser was looking likely. From yet another Hendon cross the Bees thought they had at last drawn level. Williams laid it back to the Bees skipper who whipped a brilliant cross straight to the head of Yakabu at the back post.

The tall eighteen year old headed the ball across the box straight to Grazioli, who instinctively stabbed home. Unfortunately the celebrations were cut short when the referee awarded Chester a free-kick for Yakabu pushing.

Luckily this didn’t dishearten the players who continued to push for the equaliser. Teenage striker Lee Roache replaced the unimpressive Beadle and within two minutes of coming on nearly headed his first goal. The ball was played over the top, but the youngster barely got a touch, only managing to connect with the back of his head, the ball went narrowly wide.

Shortly after Barnet had another chance, following a scramble the ball fell to goal machine Giuliano Grazioli, six yards out, but the Conference top scorer couldn’t quite stretch far enough to connect.

The Bees continued to press but still no goal came. Chester hardly created anything all half, though a cross come shot nearly found it’s way in, deep in stoppage time. Unfortunately for Barnet time ran out, and the impressive and very loud following went home empty handed.

At the end the players, lead by captain Ian Hendon applauded the loyal Barnet supporters, despite losing they did themselves proud in the second half. Martin Allen looked bitterly disappointed, but will know he will have to lift the players spirits as they continue on their ‘conquest to paradise’ at Stalybridge, in Tuesday nights FA Cup replay.

Match Photos

Twenty eight photos of the game by Chris Holland.

Quotes from the manager

"They've only had one shot at our goal in 93 minutes of football. It was a great goal but to give them one shot in the whole of the game was some going.

"There was not a lot in it. They've had one shot, we've had a couple.

"We could have had a penalty when Roache got knocked over but those sort of things are not really going our way at the moment but overall I'm absolutely delighted with the way our team played.

"We've come here against a top of the league team and I think we played much better football.

"We've got the ball down and passed it. We didn't create too many chances but we played with determination, quality and we just didn't get the breaks in the box - but they will come."

Bookings

Barnet

No bookings

Chester City

B.Davies, 32, unsporting behaviour
S.Carey, 43, unsporting behaviour

Referee: Shoebridge, R

Teams

Barnet

S.Gore, I.Hendon, S.King, C.Plummer, D.Maddix, I.Yakabu, J.Gamble, B.Strevens, G.Grazioli, L.Hatch (M.Williams 51), P.Beadle (L.Roach 74)

Unused substitutes: L.Hogg, M.Rooney, R.Millard

Chester City

W.Brown, C.Ruffer, D.Collins, S.Guyett, A.Smith (M.Twiss 89), B.Davies, K.McIntyre, S.Carey, J.Brady, D.Clare (A.Harris 90), D.Stamp

Unused substitutes: K.Rapley, J.Heard, I.Foster

Other Reports

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Cartoons by James

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