Nationwide Conference
28 February 2004

By Iain Dalziel

Following last week’s tremendous win at Morecambe the Bees looked to continue there unbeaten run at home to lowly Tamworth.

In the meeting at the Lamb back in October, the Bees put in one of their worst displays of the season, going down 0-2 to a Mark Cooper double. Despite some seeing that as a turning point for the Lambs, Tamworth have struggled most of the season and went into the game in nineteenth place. However, after a very good run the Staffordshire side went into the game top of the form table and with a point to prove.

Barnet went into the game with a full squad to choose from, including new signing Greg Pearson on-loan from West Ham. However, the eighteen year old attacker remained an unused sub. Despite being available again Maddix wasn’t in the squad, Martin Allen giving a home debut to Matt Redmile who partnered the returning Chris Plummer in the centre of defence.

Barnet began the game brightly, playing at an extremely high tempo. Rooney and Yakabu were looking dangerous on the flanks but Tamworth were putting up a good resistance. The game’s first real chance came in the sixth minute. Big centre back Redmile had pushed up for a set piece and nearly marked his home debut with a goal. Muscling the ball of the defending the ex-Scarborough man knocked the ball over his own head goalwards. Unfortunately for the Bees his effort went just over, but it was an encouraging start nonetheless.

After the early effort the Bees were in control, but didn’t seem to know what they wanted to do with the ball. Barnet were on top but not looking at all settled. Too many passes were being intercepted in the midfield and Grazioli was getting no service up front. To make matters worse the on form Ismail Yakabu had to go off injured I just the twenty third minute. The versatile youngster landed awkwardly on his leg and went off in what appeared to be quite serious pain. He was replaced by Liam Hatch, who came on up front, with Strevens switching to left midfield.

With a dull first half drawing to a close the Bees nearly nicked a late first half goal. Gamble’s chipped free kick was met by Plummer, but the former QPR defender headed just inches wide of the post. A few minutes later the referee called time on a forgettable first half, only two real chances coming from the Bees centre backs had been only moments of excitement. Tamworth’s game plan was obviously to put as many players behind the ball as possible and frustrate the Bees. So far they had done exactly that, meaning the score was 0-0 at the interval.

Second Half

At half time Barnet made their second substitution of the afternoon. Left back Simon King appeared to be in some discomfort before the break and was replaced by right winger Mark Williams. The switch meant Mark Rooney moved across the pitch into the left back role.

After the half time break the Bees came out looking much better. Grazioli was now a lot more involved and for a change was the provider of the Barnet goal. After Hendon’s free kick Grazioli retrieved the ball out on wide on the right and swung across for the advancing Liam Hatch to score his first league goal in Bees colours. Underhill went mad as at last the summer signing from Gravesend had broken his drought. The goal was almost a complete reversal to normal, Grazioli crossing it for the other striker to score!

After the goal the game picked up a bit and Tamworth started to get forward. On the hour Tamworth won a free kick in dangerous territory. Arguably the best free kick taker in the conference, Mark Cooper, stood behind the ball. However, this time it didn’t go right for Cooper his effort going straight into the Bees wall.

The more Tamworth pushed forward the more likely a break was going to happen. Twice the Bees went surging towards the Tamworth goal, only for sloppy passing to cost them. It was now becoming interesting as Tamworth were starting to look dangerous. An audacious effort by Cooper, from all of forty five yards nearly caught Bankole off guard. Luckily for him and his team mates the ball sailed just over the bar. That still wasn’t the end from the Lambs skipper his third attempt rolling just wide from twenty five yards.

Barnet were looking good too, Strevens unlucky not to score a goal similair to the one at Morecambe last week. This time it went just wide of the top right hand corner. Barnet then made their final substitution, surprisingly replacing earlier sub Williams with Guy Lopez. Tamworth still pushed forward but couldn’t get past the solid Plummer and Redmile along with ‘Big George’ in goal. Strevens once again was unlucky, forcing a good save out of James Lindley.

Not long after Strevens’ effort the referee blew his whistle for full time. This was definitely not the Bees best performance of the season by any means, but it was three points. Redmile was an absolute rock and thoroughly deserved to be man of the match although Plummer was excellent too. Not playing well and winning is the sign of a good team. Probably the best moment of the day was Liam Hatch finally ending his quest for his first league goal, a quest which had taken thirteen league games prior to Tamworth. All in all a very pleasing result for the Bees, although they know they can expect a very different sort of game in next week’s trip to Devon to play Exeter.

Iain Dalziel’s Man of the Match

Matt Redmile

Match Photos

Thirty two photos of the game by Chris Holland.

Quotes from the Manager

"I'm really pleased for Liam. We have been working on his finishing and he has put a lot of effort in. I could see the joy and relief on his face when he scored.

"We didn't play well today after two good away performances. However, I cannot fault the players' effort, desire and attitude. I fully understand that we will not and cannot play great every week."

Bookings

Barnet

No bookings

Tamworth

P.Barnes, 66, unsporting behaviour
D.Robinson, 90, unsporting behaviour

Referee: Murphy, M

Teams

Barnet

A.Bankole, I.Hendon, M.Redmile, S.King (M.Williams 46, G.Lopez 87), C.Plummer, M.Rooney, I.Yakabu (L.Hatch 30), J.Gamble, B.Strevens, S.Clist, G.Grazioli

Unused substitutes: S.Gore, G.Pearson

Tamworth

J.Lindley, R.Dryden, D.Robinson, R.Warner, J.Blunt, M.Cooper, M.Ebdon (N.Smith 81), M.Turner, R.Follett (N.Sylla 74), P.Barnes, B.Quailey (M.McGregor 87)

Unused substitutes: T.Jordan, L.Wilson

Other Reports

Barnet Cartoons
Barnet Times

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