Nationwide Conference
Play Off Semi Final
Second Leg
03 May 2004

By Iain Dalziel

This is more of a summary than a report, it was a really disappointing afternoon and I’m not ashamed to say that there were tears. I was there but a lot seems a blur, anyway here goes. (I think this was intended for publication. I cried a bit too mate. Ed)

Barnet travelled to Shrewsbury in high spirits and full of confidence after the excellent 2-1 win over the Shrews on Thursday night.

However, for the fourth play-off campaign in a row Barnet crashed out, this time losing 5-3 on penalties after it had finished 2-2 on aggregate, Shrewsbury winning 1-0 on the day.

Both sides began quite brightly, the first chance came in just the third minute when the unchanged Barnet side nearly got a very lucky lead. After some good pressure from Grazioli, Shrews skipper Darren Tinson, inside his own penalty box, panicked and headed the ball over goalkeeper Scott Howie.

With the Shrewsbury ‘keeper beaten the Bees looked destined to go one up. However, to the fortune of the Shrews the ball bounced just in front of the post and bounced inches over the bar.

After Barnet’s early chance, Shrewsbury began to press. Except for one wasted chance from Grazioli, Barnet had very few attacks.

Following many half chances, Bees ‘keeper Shane Gore was forced into his first real save on forty four minutes. A well struck low free kick by Luke Rodgers was seen late by Gore. However, the former Wimbledon stopper made a phenomenal save. Diving the full stretch of his goal and then turning the ball around the post for a corner.

Up to now Barnet had defended solidly, most notably Hendon’s thirty sixth minute block on the line. Yet after denying Shrewsbury on several occasions the Bees gave them a great chance. Tolley’s corner was clearly handled in the air by Barnet’s Liam Hatch, giving the referee no choice but to give Shrewsbury a penalty.

Just like at Underhill a handball gave Rodgers a late first half penalty. Once again the Shrews attacker had no trouble beating Gore, his powerful penalty flying into the roof of the net. Shortly after the referee blew for half time.

Second Half

Barnet came out well at the beginning of the second half, Ben Strevens going very close in the opening minute of the half. The Bees enjoyed a good first fifteen minutes of the half, winning a few corners, although actual chances were very limited.

After an hour gone the Shrews came back into the game. Like Barnet they were playing well, but not really getting many real chances. With the time ticking both Tolley and sub Sedgemore both wasted good chances.

Each of the Shrews midfielders were given to much space and time on the edge of the box. First Tolley, his powerful effort had no accuracy and flew well over the bar. Jake Sedgemore did slightly better, after a good run at former Shrews centre back Matt Redmile, he too had a go from the edge of the box. However, unlike Tolley his effort was nowhere near powerful enough, allowing Gore to make a comfortable save.

Both sides tried, but neither could find the all important goal they needed. Therefore the game went into silver goal extra time.

However, the referee wasn’t so sure! In the early moments of extra time, after Shrewsbury won a corner, he ran off the pitch and into his changing room to check the rule book! Most of the first or ‘silver’ period of extra time was spent by both teams passing the ball around, looking dangerous, but tiring and struggling to break each other down.

The most dramatic part of this period came in the final seconds. A good cross found Darby totally free inside the Bees box. Yet, once again, the awesome Shane Gore made a fabulous save. With the header destined for his bottom corner the Bees ‘keeper spectacularly clawed the ball to the left of his goal. The appreciation the Bees fans showed mirrored goal celebrations.

In the second period they were once again very few exciting moments. Both teams tried, but just couldn’t do it. Meaning that the dreaded penalties loomed.

After the coin toss it was decided the penalties were to be taken at Shrewsbury’s end. Both sides stood on the halfway line, all there dreams on going to the Britannia on May 16th resting on these spot kicks. This is how they went:

In the end it was just who could take penalties, and it proved the Shrews were better. Clist, the hero of Thursday, was unlucky although all of the other takers did really well, credit to Yakubu, at eighteen years of age that took some courage. On the day Shrewsbury were the better side, but overall there really isn’t much between the two sides.

Still, the Bees did themselves proud and hopefully will be back in the promotion race next season. It was bitterly disappointing, but this is football, there have to be highs and lows. Still, I’m sure any Barnet fan will agree it has been an amazing season. Personally, I know I will never forget this season and I’m sure I’m not alone. Unlucky lads, we’ll be there or thereabouts next year!

Iain Dalziel’s Man of the Match

Shane Gore

Match Photos

Forty-three photos of the game by Chris Holland.

Quotes

Paul Fairclough
"It looked like it was always going to go to penalties. There was nothing between the two sides. The players gave absolutely everything and I'm very proud of them.

"Once again we haven't conceded a goal in open play and have lost to two penalties and another five more. Our supporters were fabulous and it was so fitting and touching that the Shrewsbury supporters went to our end after the game. It is tough but we will all learn from the experience."

Ismail Yakubu
(of Clist's missed penalty) "It could have happened to anyone and there is no way any of the lads are going to blame him. It came down to a lottery in the end."

Bookings

Barnet

I.Hendon, 35, unsporting behaviour

Shrewsbury

No bookings

Referee: Pollock, B

Teams

Barnet

S.Gore, I.Hendon, S.King, C.Plummer, D.Maddix (M.Redmile 59), J.Gamble, G.Lopez (S.Clist 55), B.Strevens, I.Yakabu, L.Hatch, G.Grazioli

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

Shrewsbury

S.Howie, D.Moss, D.Ridler, D.Tinson, S.Aiston (J.Sedgemore 114), M.O'Connor (D.Edwards 46), J.Tolley, T.Challis, D.Darby (C.Cramb 105), L.Rodgers, R.Lowe

Unused substitutes: J.Quinn, J.Hart

Other Reports

Nationwide's Conference Site
Barnet Times

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