Saturday 3rd December was the day our opponents were looking forward to since the fixtures came out, a trip to The Hive for Wealdstone. Granted they walked all over us last season and we didn’t fare much better when no fans were allowed in, maybe now it was time for a change.
An early kick off to compensate for the possibility of England needing to start at 3pm in the competition I’m not interested in meant an early start to the journey. All quiet on arrival with both sets of fans needing to use the main entrance rather than the far end with access to the tube station, a larger than usual police presence given the antics of the visiting supporters last year.
I was going to use this one in the free Barnet blog I have (https://trevorknell.substack.com) but Bees fans will understand why when their piece comes out early this week.
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Anyway, both sets of fans were in good attendance, the tea hut with a steady trade and the Legends Bar looking the busiest I’ve seen it all year, things appear to be going right. On the pitch it’s outliving expectations, very much in the play-off charge at the moment, goals and clean sheets putting Barnet in that position but could they hold their nerve against the neighbours down the road?
The Bees should have been in front very early on, Ben Wynter heading just wide of the post although the flag was up for offside. A second chance presented itself just before ten minutes were on the clock, Idris Kanu unmarked in the box heading straight at Sam Howes, either side and we had the game’s opening goal.
There wasn’t long to wait however as on 12 minutes the home side were in the lead. A very quick piece of thinking from Nicke Kabamba, the striker straight on the ball to slip in Harry Pritchard and the midfielder slotted past the advancing Howes for his eighth strike of the season.
The Stones did come back into it a little, seemingly overwhelmed by the attacking start their hosts had displayed and unable to get too much of a foothold in the game. They were lucky not to concede a second before 30 minutes were on the clock, the on-rushing Howes clearing to Wynter some 35 to 40 yards out who promptly hit a shot back over the keeper’s head and luckily for him just over the bar as well, maybe hit a little too well.
Wealdstone would have been happy to go at half time with just a goal deficit, the Bees backline dealing with anything that came their way and not much trouble for Laurie Walker to negotiate.
A change at half time for the Bees saw Marvin Armstrong replace Kanu, a move I thought was tactical despite the winger being his ever threatening self, running at defenders and being a right nuisance, Brennan later confirmed it was an injury protected substitution.
And it didn’t take long for Armstrong to announce himself in the game, four minutes in and Howes had to save well from the ex-Worthing midfielder to stop him doubling the lead.
However, it was two just three minutes later, Armstrong taking advantage of defensive dithering, was clattered by Howes in the penalty area, but the ball fell nicely for Kabamba to slot it between two defenders and into the net after a good advantage played by the referee.
The Bees were content to allow the game to play out in front of them but for all their effort Wealdstone didn’t cause too much trouble Walker with a couple of routine saves, they should however have scored on 57 minutes, Olufela Olomola slicing wide when unmarked in the box.
Barnet should have wrapped up a third goal in the final minute, but Wynter’s cross was unable to be met by substitute Kian Flanagan at the far post, the icing that would have been on what was a very comfortable win for the hosts.
Much was made all week from the blue half, but nothing materialised, in fact a very poor performance given their position in the table and the magnitude their supporters gave the game.
Outstanding, impressive, professional, all words you can use for the hosts, performances we haven’t seen too many of prior to this season, amazing what you get when it’s a group of players who want to be at your club and put a shift in for each other, it’s about time to be honest.
Probably not fair to pick players out from that but a very strong 45 from Armstrong gives Brennan more food for thought, despite the midfielder really here for next season and possibly the end of this one, he’s made some great contributions so far, I’m obviously not a stranger to him having seen so much at Worthing the last year or so.
That three-man front press from Armstrong, Ryan De Havilland and Kabamba was something Wealdstone couldn’t deal with and didn’t know what to deal with, that won the game for Barnet in my eyes, despite the late slice from the Stones front man there wasn’t too much to be worried about.
Four clean sheets in the last four league games, just two defeats in the last twelve games in all competitions, it’s all looking very nice at the moment and 5th place in the table is testament to what’s been coming together since the recruitment process started just over twelve months ago.
People liked the look of the Wealdstone number seven, Tarryn Allarakhia, but too lightweight for me, doesn’t like the tracking back, doesn’t fit our mould. Last season we probably would have taken him, this year we’re a different beast and still not complete, it’s back to fun being a Barnet fan….
