Nationwide Conference
Play Off Semi Final
First Leg
29 April 2004

By Callum Williams

A goal nearly four minutes into stoppage time gave the Bees what could prove a priceless lead to take into their Conference play-offs second leg at Gay Meadow on Bank Holiday Monday.

A 4,000-plus crowd, which packed into Underhill for Thursday night's first leg, saw Barnet get off to the perfect start when Liam Hatch beat Shrewsbury keeper Scott Howie and a defender to a through ball, only to be upended by the goalie.

Howie, who was relieved to escape with only a yellow card, could do nothing as Ben Strevens took responsibilty for the penalty kick and slotted Bees into a sixth-minute lead.

Shrewsbury cranked up their game as they went in search of an equaliser with Sam Aiston rattling a Barnet post after 24 minutes and home keeper Shane Gore performing a near miracle to claw away Duane Darby's 36th minute close-range header.

Just when Barnet seemed to have weathered the onslaught, Shrewsbury were awarded a penalty when Danny Maddix was penalised for blocking aiston's powerful volley with his arm. Perhaps a rather harsh decision, but Shrews' star striker Luke Rogers joyfully rammed home a 42nd minute equaliser from the spot.

Second Half

The second half saw Barnet lift their game and win several early corners, which put the pressure on the visitors' defence.

Bees' acting manager Paul Fairclough made a change after 66 minutes when Guy Lopez's tenacity gave way to the extra midfield creativity of Simon Clist.

By now play was becoming fast and furious with tackles flying in from both sides and yellow cards being waved with abandon by the referee.

In the closing stages, Strevens went close with a shot for Barnet, while at the other end, Darby missed with a header from six yards for Shrewsbury.

Just when it seemed that the two sides would go into the second leg all square, Barnet mounted one last attack deep into four minutes of stoppage time. Ismail Yakabu collected Ian Hendon's short throw-on and wriggled past a defender before crossing from near the corner flag.

Clist somehow managed to steal in at the near post and glance a header past the stranded Howie.

The goal sent the Barnet faithful into raptures and left the Shrews with no time to respond.

A dramatic end to a memorable night with another instalment to come on Monday afternoon.

Quotes from Fairclough

(On bringing on Clist) "I felt I needed to make a change, sometimes it comes off. Shrewsbury had a magnificent first half, but we doubled our passion in the second and it was a superb performance.

"There is still everything to play for but I would rather be a goal up than a goal behind. They will have to try to come out and score and we can hit them on the break, but we won't be going to Shrewsbury sitting back. We will be trying to win the game.

"Shrewsbury were magnificent in the first half and we doubled our commitment, passion and enthusiasm in the second half. It was a superb second-half performance from us. So many players played with such passion. In fact, it was a Herculean performance by my players. We seem to keep coming back time and time again from adversity."

Bookings

Barnet

D.Maddix, 72, unsporting behaviour
I.Hendon, 84, unsporting behaviour

Shrewsbury Town

S.Howie, 12, unsporting behaviour
D.Darby, 72, unsporting behaviour
J.Tolley, 80, unsporting behaviour

Referee: Green, T

Teams

Barnet

S.Gore, I.Hendon, S.King, C.Plummer, D.Maddix, J.Gamble, G.Lopez (S.Clist 67), B.Strevens, I.Yakabu, L.Hatch, G.Grazioli

Unused substitutes: M.Redmile, M.Rooney, R.Millard, G.Pearson

Shrewsbury Town

S.Howie, D.Moss, D.Tinson (J.Sedgemore 46), D.Ridler, S.Aiston, M.O'Connor, J.Tolley, T.Challis (L.Lawrence 78), D.Darby, L.Rodgers (J.Quinn 87), R.Lowe

Unused substitutes: D.Edwards, J.Hart

Other Reports

Nationwide Conference Site
Barnet Times

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