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Carling League Cup By Iain Dalziel Despite the score line suggesting otherwise, Barnet did themselves proud, going down 4-1 at Old Trafford, but playing with ten men for more than eighty eight minutes. The Bees played with full commitment and effort throughout the game and in the second half matched and at times bettered their Man United counterparts, in this monumental game in Barnet FC's history. To mark the occasion the Bees wore a one off violet and black shirt, in the same style as the original and first Barnet FC team wore when they were formed in 1888. Sadly, any chance of Barnet producing a sensational shock win was all but dashed just ninety seconds in. A long ball from United right back Phil Bardsley was too long for young Ebanks-Blake to latch onto and headed toward Ross Flitney in the Barnet goal. Yet the Bees goalkeeper's enthusiasm and eagerness got the better of him and he handled the ball just outside his eighteen yard box, the ex-Fulham man rushing out even though under no pressure. Immediately the whistle blew for a free kick to Manchester United and the referee called Flitney over. Though the law of the game says for it to be a straight red card a goal scoring opportunity has to be denied, despite the nearest United attacker being ten yards away from Flitney the referee didn't hesitate and to the shock of the entire ground, especially the away fans, he produced a red card. After some protest the young shot stopper walked the length of the pitch and down the tunnel, clearly distraught. Fairclough came onto the pitch to comfort him and shortly after had another upset player to comfort. With Flitney dismissed Scott Tynan had to replace him in goal, meaning a player was going to have to be sacrificed. The unlucky man was Louie Soares, clearly he too was most upset at having his big chance snatched away from him, by a rather poor bit of refereeing. A little initiative from Mr. Beeb, the referee, would've kept the game more open and also not ruined a special day for two young footballers. Not only had Ross Flitney been dismissed, but Manchester United had also, of course, been awarded a free kick. In a very dangerous position up stepped Liam Miller to curl in the sort of free kick that David Beckham was known for at Old Trafford. Miller's effort bent into the top corner, though Tynan got a hand there was little he could do, thus meaning his first real touch of the net was getting the ball out of his goal. Barnet behind in the opening stages, it looked as if it was going to be a truly one-sided affair. After the goal, Barnet realising they were going to have to cope with ten men for the remainder of the game, did try and get involved and make United work for it. Only a few minutes after going behind the Bees had the ball in Tim Howard's net. However, unfortunately for the excitable Barnet following, the dream of the equaliser was short lived, as Grazioli's close range effort was ruled offside. Bar this effort Tim Howard barely touched the ball for the rest of the first half. Manchester United looked dangerous every time they went forward, yet it was in a somewhat lucky manner they doubled their lead. A bad challenge by Gross led to a free kick being giving on the right side of the area. Kieran Richardson looked to whip it in for a United player to latch onto, but no one did. However, this didn't matter as no player from either side went for the ball and it ended up going off the inside of the post and into the bottom corner, much to the embarrassment of Tynan and his defence. This was a poor goal to concede from Barnet, against any opposition, but in these circumstances this effort from the young England international, Richardson, all but ended any chance of Barnet making a comeback. To be fair to Barnet after going 2-0 down they did well to prevent an expected goal rush, holding out for 2-0 at half time. Though Man United had chances. Rossi wasted a great opportunity, firing over from twelve yards when the ball was given to him on a plate. From a corner Adam Gross also helped prevent another goal, heading off the line. United also had a very good shout for a penalty turned down by the referee, the referee possibly trying to even things up in terms of big decisions? Nonetheless, despite their dominance in general United led just 2-0 at half time, the red card to Ross Flitney affecting the Bees as was to be expected, but at 2-0 they had kept the score respectable so far. Second Half Sir Alex Ferguson's young side began the second half firmly in control. Barnet were struggling to contain them in the early stages of the second period and it came as no surprise when exciting Italian teenager Rossi finished off a classy move with a good finish, stabbing into the bottom corner, making it 3-0. Yet once they went 3-0 down, Barnet came out of their shell a bit and tried to attack United more. Now with nothing to lose whatsoever. On many occasions in the evening Barnet's passing and maintaining of possession in the middle of the park had been impressive, but seemed to lack purpose slightly. However, with the game now way beyond Barnet's reach they seemed more willing to try and crack United. Dwane Lee went very close from a free kick, his sweetly struck effort going just over the bar and an ambitious striker by Bailey from the edge of the area also went high and over. However, Barnet had started to play really well and were making United work hard when they had the ball. Then, with sixteen minutes to go, Barnet got reward for their brave efforts. Young Gerald Pique, a highly rated Spanish centre back, miss-controlled the ball on the edge of the area. Barnet's Dean Sinclair subsequently pounced on his error and burst into the area. Coolly the young Bees midfielder took the ball around the America goalkeeper, Tim Howard, and fired home a consolation goal for Barnet. But try telling the noisy away contingent that. In the East Stand Upper Tier, where the Bees support was based, there was mayhem. Though Barnet had effectively lost the game already, Sinclair's effort meant a great deal to the travelling band of supporters, seeing their team scoring at Old Trafford, when down to ten men was an achievement in itself for Barnet. After Sinclair's goal, Barnet still seemed keen to have a go at Man United, Hatch replaced Grazioli and certainly did his best at making things difficult for England international Wes Brown in the United defence. Were Hatch not pulled up for a very dubious foul on Brown he many have ended up one on one with a chance of making it 3-2. Harshly, for all Barnet's tremendous efforts and play for much of the second half, United got a fourth goal late on. Barnet had pushed up maybe a little too far and a ball over the top allowed Sylvan Ebanks-Blake to grab a goal in his first senior start for Ferguson's side, him and Rossi showed a great deal of potential as a future United front two, throughout the night. After Ebanks-Blake's goal and a few minutes of stoppage time, the referee brought this historic occasion for Barnet to an end. Though the Bees had ended up conceding for goals, Paul Fairclough and his players can come out of this encounter with a great deal of pride. In the second half Barnet were nothing short of superb, particularly seeing as they had a player less than their opponents. While tonight was a chance for United's youngsters to show Sir Alex their talents, Barnet's team of mainly young players did themselves no harm, some Bees players in particular may well have put themselves in the shop window on that performance. Were Ross Flitney not sent off it could've been a different game, though in fairness, United were the better team overall, but the 4-1 score line possibly flattered Ferguson's side a bit. At the end the Bees fans and players clapped and cheered each other off, as although the cup dream was over, both had done the club proud on the night. Though 4-1 Manchester United was not the ideal score for the Bees, the manner of their defeat and also level of their performance, especially in the game's final third means Barnet can still hold their heads high and not look back on this game in a negative way. Maybe not the cup shock many were hoping for, but a memorable night for everyone connected with Barnet Football Club nonetheless, even if it was slightly spoilt early on by a harsh decision, this the opinion of both Fairclough and Ferguson. Barnet now must get back to the business of League 2 and put an end to their poor run in the League, by getting three points at home to Rushden & Diamonds on Saturday. Iain Dalziel's Men Of The Match Manchester
United Barnet The whole midfield did pretty well, Sinclair took his goal very well, combined with a solid performance also Ben Strevens and Dwane Lee showed some nice touches and passed the ball around well. Another player who was a contender for man of the match has to be Simon King, made some very good tackles, like Bailey I too think he'll be playing at a higher level before long. However, Bailey seemed to be everywhere and therefore is my man of the match. Team Ratings Barnet: Flitney*, Hendon (7), King (8), Yakubu (7), Gross (7), Soares* (Tynan (7), Strevens (7), Bailey (9), Sinclair (8), Lee (7) (Batt (6), Grazioli (6) *=Flitney, sent off, after ninety seconds, Soares was then subbed, hence no rating for either. Iain Dalziel's
Final Comment: Proud. Photos Over
twenty photos of the game Quotes from the Managers Paul Fairclough "[Flitney's sending off] was a really cruel decision. It ruined two players' nights. We all talk about the problems football has but there has got to be some soul and heart in the game. "It wasn't malicious and Ross wasn't seeking to gain an advantage, it was just an error of judgement - surely a yellow card would have been enough. The lad was distraught, really distraught and we have also had to take off young Louie, who had not touched the ball and, like us all, had been looking forward to this night ever since the draw was made. "Surely we need some commonsense. Everyone was stunned by it. It shattered a young boy's dream." "Ross was distraught and I mean distraught." "I wish we could have had the chance to show everyone just what teams at our level can do." "I'm just so proud of my players. Under the circumstances, there were some fantastic performances." "[Of the fans] they were absolutely staggering." Alex Ferguson "[Flitney's sending off] was a harsh decision. It didn't help the game or our young players. They needed a test and when we scored immediately after the lad got sent off it became very difficult for Barnet. We didn't play the way we normally would. There was too much running with the ball and a few of them became individuals." Bookings Barnet Flitney
(sent off 2) Man Utd Miller Ref: R Beeby (Northamptonshire) Teams Barnet Flitney, Hendon, Yakubu, King, Gross, Soares (Tynan 3), Lee (Batt 87), Sinclair, Bailey, Strevens, Grazioli (Hatch 75) Subs Not Used: Charles, Graham Man Utd Howard, Bardsley, Brown, Pique, Eckersley, Martin (Gibson 75), Miller, Jones, Richardson, Ebanks-Blake, Rossi Subs Not Used: Park, Smith, Silvestre, Steele Match Stats Other League Two Scores Other Reports Barnet Man Utd Independent If you know of any reports please email me the link on info@bfcsa.co.uk Want to write Match Reports? If you are interested in writing match reports for bfcsa.co.uk then click here for more information. |
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