Nationwide Conference
27 November 2004

By Robin Thomas

Barnet stretched their lead at the top of the Nationwide Conference to seven points after a thrilling victory over fellow promotion hopefuls Aldershot at the Recreation Ground.

After twice having a lead cancelled out by the home side in a pulsating contest, Simon King struck a spectacular winning goal with just seven minutes remaining, sending the large following from Barnet home in raptures.

The Bees had started the match with great purpose, and created the game's first scoring opportunity when a good run into the right channel by Grazioli allowed the same player to tee up Strevens, whose cross was headed narrowly over by Hatch. Aldershot then fired a warning shot of their own, when a cross from the lively Dwain Clarke flashed across the face of the Barnet goal as Challinor and Sills closed in.

In spite of that scare, Barnet continued to play with a level of confidence befitting of the league leaders, and it was no surprise when they took the lead in the eighth minute. Equally predictable was the identity of the goal scorer, as Grazioli flicked the ball into the net from close range for his thirteenth goal of the season, after Hatch had met Clist's deep corner.

Aldershot appeared to come to terms with the concession of such an early goal very swiftly, and after having a goal disallowed for a foul on Scott Tynan, they began to exert real pressure as they employed their physical style of play to considerable effect. With the talismanic former Stevenage Borough captain Steve Watson driving them forward, the Shots secured a monopoly of both possession and territory for long periods, and Tynan was forced into a sharp save when another dangerous Clarke cross was deflected inadvertently towards his own goal by Ismail Yakubu.

As Paul Fairclough noted in his post match comments, for the first time this season the Bees were being dominated, and this was plainly a source of the frustration which caused Sinclair, Hatch and Hendon to each collect a booking. This sense of frustration was exacerbated by the fact that referee Deadman displayed a lenient attitude to some rather robust challenges from Aldershot's Sills, Watson and Giles, most notably.

It appeared to be merely a matter of time before Aldershot scored the equaliser they had threatened and so it proved when, in the 35th minute, the on-loan Dixon volleyed past Tynan from Barnard's left-wing cross, after Hendon's mistimed lunge on Dwain Clarke had left him out of position. The Bees looked chastened, and will have been relieved to hear the half-time whistle with the scores level at 1 - 1.

Second Half

Barnet started the 2nd half by displaying much greater vibrancy, with Dean Sinclair beginning to make the foraging runs forward which have become so familiar to Bees fans this season. They forced an early corner, only for Aldershot to break quickly as Dixon carried the ball from halfway and forced Tynan into a good save. The Liverpudlian stopper was then called into action immediately after, as Challinor found space from the resulting corner and saw his low shot pushed away well.

The match was a far more even affair in the 2nd period, and the Bees players appeared to grow in stature as the half wore on. Thanks primarily to a higher defensive line, they forced Aldershot back and enjoyed the majority of possession. They made it count midway through the 2nd half when Richie Graham sprinted past Warner to collect Clist's long pass before cutting inside and placing a low right foot shot across Bull into the far corner of the net. Graham then embarked on a gratuitous display of badge kissing; a nausea-inducing act when performed by opposition players but, let's be honest… we lapped it up!

Aldershot scored a second equaliser in the 76th minute after Dwane Lee committed a foul 40 yards from his own goal. The Bees were unable to clear the resulting free-kick, and as the ball dropped in the penalty area Dixon finished emphatically with his left foot.

The contest had by now become an enthralling encounter, and just as many amongst the travelling contingent in the crowd may have been considering the merits of a point gained against formidable opposition, this Barnet team once again proved their capacity to surprise even their greatest fans. With just seven minutes of normal time remaining, Bull failed to collect a high ball under pressure from Lee, and Simon King, who had stayed forward after an earlier corner, showed impressive technique in crashing a volley into the net from twenty yards.

The closing minutes were fraught with tension for the visiting fans, but their team defended with great bravery and no little skill. The home side's one real chance of a third equaliser came with virtually the last kick of the game when, as the crowd held its collective breath, Sills turned just 8 yards from goal, but screwed his shot horribly, or rather beautifully for us Bees fans, wide of the target.

So, another exciting away victory for Barnet, as they extend their remarkable unbeaten away record into December. Paul Fairclough had great reason to feel immense pride in his team after this epic victory. Where in previous weeks they have been able to dominate teams with flowing football, they were forced to call upon impressive fighting qualities. A severe test for Barnet, passed with flying colours.

Quotes from the Manager

"They really came at us and had the better of the first half. It was the first time for a long time that we have been dominated by a side."

Bookings

Barnet

D Sinclair - unsporting behaviour (33)
I Hendon - unsporting behaviour (38)
L Hatch - unsporting behaviour (45)

Aldershot

D Clarke - unsporting behaviour (38)
P Warner - unsporting behaviour (73)
T Sills unsporting behaviour (85)

Ref: D Deadman

Teams

Barnet

S Tynan, I Hendon, I Yakubu, S King, S Clist, B Strevens, D Lee, D Sinclair (G Lopez 90), R Graham, G Grazioli, L Hatch

Unused Subs: R Millard, D Maddix, W McBean, D Batt

Aldershot

N Bull, P Warner (A McLean 75), D Barnard, T Jinadu, C Giles, N Crittenden, S Watson, J Challinor, D Clarke, J Dixon, T Sills

Unused Subs: A Glasspool, H McAuley, M Peters, W Antwi

Other Reports

Barnet Times
BBC

If you know of any reports please email me the link on info@bfcsa.net

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