FA Cup First Round
18 November 2003

From the Nationwide Conference website

Stalybridge Celtic were left to rue Phil Eastwood's weakly taken spot kick, as Nationwide Conference high-flyers Barnet took advantage of the slip to advance to the second round of the FA Cup.

It was the UniBond League side who had the best of the chances throughout the game but they were unable to break through a resolute Barnet defence.

Shane Gore came to the Bees rescue twice in the first half when he saved superbly from Eastwood and Colin Potts.

The visitors took the lead with their first real attack of the first half. An Ian Hendon free-kick was adjudged to have been tipped over the bar by Craig Dootson although there appeared to be no contact.

From the resultant corner Ben Strevens rose above Terry Bowker and flicked the ball on for Giuliano Grazioli to sweep home from six yards out.

Gore again came to Barnet's rescue right on half-time when he saved a Potts free-kick at full stretch.

Second Half

The home team attacked incessantly throughout the second half but were unable to create a clear-cut chance.

Their opportunity to equalise came on 73 minutes when Chris Plummer felled Potts in the box, but Gore easily saved Eastwood's weak spot kick.

Potts again went close as the home team sought an equaliser, but with their attacking policy gaps were beginning to appear.

Joe Gamble frolicked down the left wing and crossed for the unmarked Grazioli to make no mistake from 15 yards out with six minutes left to seal victory for the visitors.

The game ended in controversy as three players were shown red cards by the referee.

Kenny Mayers and Danny Maddix were both dismissed for second bookable offences, and Ben Smith became the third to go for an early bath when he inexplicably kicked out at Simon King.

Quotes from the manager

"The performance of our players made me very proud as this was a very difficult football match to win.

"It was great to see so many Barnet fans supporting the team and I hope they had a happy, if long, journey home."

Bookings

Barnet

D.Maddix, 64, unsporting behaviour
D.Maddix, 89, second bookable offence - sent off

Stalybridge Celtic

A.Heald, 56, unsporting behaviour
Mayers, 65, unsporting behaviour
Mayers, 90, second bookable offence - sent off
Smith, 90, serious foul play - sent off

Referee: Matadar, M

Teams

Barnet

S.Gore, I.Hendon, S.King, C.Plummer, M.Rooney, D.Maddix, I.Yakabu, J.Gamble, L.Hogg (G.Lopez 80), B.Strevens, G.Grazioli (M.Williams 90)

Unused substitutes: T.Taggart, L.Roach, R.Millard

Stalybridge Celtic

Dootson, Mayers, German, C.Pearce (Foster 79), Bowker, Keeling, Bowman (Smith 78), A.Heald, Clegg, Eastwood, Potts

Unused substitutes: Kielty, Scott, Senior

Other Reports

Stalybridge Official Site

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