Nationwide Conference
21 January 2005

By Reckless

Giuliano Grazioli's 19th goal of the season was enough to put the Bees a massive 17 points clear at the top of the Conference as a hard working Exeter side were out fought by perhaps the strongest line-up available to Paul Fairclough.

Dwane Lee and Richard Graham returned to join Dean Sinclair and Nicky Bailey in the midfield.

15 minutes into the first half a quick thinking Bailey short corner was whipped in by Graham to find Liam Hatch whose header fell to Graz in the 6 yard box, 1-0 to Barnet. Ismail Yakubu appeared to aggravate an old hamstring injury and was replaced by new signing Anthony Charles shortly afterwards. He went on to have a comfortable game alongside the impressive Simon King.

Barnet had most of the first half possession and as always looked comfortable in both midfield and in defence but Nicky Bailey's volley was the closest the Bees came to extending their lead. Ian Hendon and Simon Clist set up some excellent moves as the Bees pushed forward up the slope and two excellent interventions from Scott Tynan kept the lead intact. Scotty was to become the hero later in the game.

Second Half

Into the second half - Liam Hatch was unlucky with his finish from another Bailey pass while Graham caused problems on the left for the Grecians all afternoon. He laid a on a chance for Dean Sinclair after a mazy dribble, beating four players, but Deano failed to connect. Scott Tynan's (and I make no apologies for the following description) world class save from Dean Moxey was stunning, scooping the ball away when from my vantage point on the East Terrace, it was in!. Scott took a knock making the save but soon recovered.

With 15 minutes left and after some great work by Sinclair and a pass to the workaholic Hatch, the ball flashed across the penalty area. It wrong footed Grecians keeper Paul Jones but Grazioli managed to screw the chance wide of a gaping open goal. Hatch and substitute Lee Roache had chances to wrap the game up but the teams' organisation in midfield and defence coped with Exeter's late rally which included two fairly lame corners.

With Carlisle's game against Leigh RMI postponed and Aldershot's win at Gravesend, the gap is now 17 points although the Cumbrians have two games in hand. Barnet are approaching a critical time as the fixtures in February are all tough including a visit to Accrington Stanley and home games against Hereford and Aldershot.

If we can keep the composure that has been so evident this season and pick up six points from these games the pressure on the chasing clubs will be immense. We the supporters need to make a massive effort to get to Burton Albion next weekend to encourage this team and bring three points home from Eton Park.

Quotes from the Manager

"This was a top-drawer Conference game. Exeter have just come from doing amazing things. They've had a fantastic game against Man United and are the most improved side in the Conference. This was a great achievement from my players."

"Our work-rate was sensational. It was not the attractive free-flowing football we have been playing before Christmas that people have come to expect, but it's all about winning.

[Of a late save from Tynan] "It was a great save. To pull out a save like that after not having much to do was terrific. But I expect that from him. He's a good goalkeeper."

Match Photos

Twenty photos of the game by Chris Holland.

Bookings

Barnet

Bailey
Sinclair

Exeter

Gaia
Martin
Clay

Ref: R Lee (Essex).

Teams

Barnet

Tynan, Hendon, Clist, Yakubu (Charles 23), King, Graham, Sinclair, Lee, Bailey, Hatch, Grazioli (Roache 90)

Subs Not Used: Gore, Batt, Strevens

Exeter

Jones, Hiley, Jeannin, Gaia, Sawyer, Taylor, Clay, Martin, Moxey (Afful 69), Edwards (Devine 69), Ibe (Flack 69)

Subs Not Used: Rice, Todd

Match Stats

Possession:
Barnet 51%
Exeter 49%

Shots:
Barnet 10
Exeter 7

Corners:
Barnet 3
Exeter 2

Fouls:
Barnet 14
Exeter 22

Bookings:
Barnet 2
Exeter 3

Other Reports

Barnet Times
Exeter Express & Echo
Footymad
Exeter Supporters (1)
Exeter Supporters (2)
BBC Devon
Soccernet
BBC

Broadband only

Match Highlights - conferencefootball.tv

Links supplied by Brian Mackie.

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

Want to write Match Reports?

If you are interested in writing match reports for bfcsa.net then click here for more information.