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Barnet followed up comfortable pre season friendly victorys at St Albans (2-0
(Freedman(2)) and Dagenham and Redbridge (1-0 (Robbins)) with an impressive
performance against Brentford at Underhill on Tueday night.
So far this year Barnet have looked very solid at the back and in midfield but
have generally been lacking in ideas in the front third of the pitch. However,
the Brentford game saw a huge improvement in this area and Barnet thoroughly
deserved their 3-2 victory.
Early on the game was very even with chances few and far between. Brentford
looked threatening with Foster and Taylor making intelligent runs, fortunately
for Barnet the through balls were not accurate enough and new Barnet keeper
Maik Taylor proved very solid, while his huge goal kicking and excellent
throwing of the ball definiately added an new dimension to Barnet's play from
last year.
Barnet took the lead with the first clear cut chance of the game Freedman
driving a low fif*** yard shot past the keeper after a nice build up involving
Robbins and Wilson. Taylor struck the Barnet bar a few moments later with a
fierce shot from a very acute angle althought the ball never really looked as
though it was going in.
Just before half time Barnet extended their lead, Kieran Adams playing a superb
pass into the path of Freedman. As three defenders converged on him, the young
Scot slipped a simple square ball to Terry Robbins leaving him with just the
keeper to beat, which he duly did with some style, a delightful chip over the
out rushing goal keeper.
Barnet youth skipper Alan Hamlet on for the injured Glenn THomas nearly gave
away a goal straight from the interval, his back pass was far too short and
Foster nnipped rounded Taylor and tried to roll the ball home, but Jamie
Campbell had got back well to clear off the line. Unfortunately Paul Abrahams
was left unmarked from the resulting corner and he volley a simple goal past
Taylor who was helpless.
Barnet restored their two goal cushion half way throught the second half.
Freedan pasing inside to new signing Alan Pardew who played a perfect through
ball for Terry Robbins. The little striker did everything right drawing the
keeper before unselfishly squaring the ball for Pardew who swept the ball into
the empty net for a beautifully worked goal.
Just as it looked as though Barnet were going to survive comfortably to the
final whistle they gave away a silly goal. Foster broke away on the wing and
although Hamlet got a tackle in it wasn't strong enough and Foster was able to
regain possession and cut inside before shooting home from a narrow angle.
Barnet had a lucky escape a minute from time when Robert Taylor found himself
clean through, but Maik Taylor narrowed the angle well and the big striker
hurried his shot wide.
Terry Robbins was particularly impressive in this win as was Maik Taylor and
Alan Pardew all of which bodes well for the coming season.
Barnet : Taylor, Gayle, Campbell, Pardew, Primus, Thomas (Hamlet), Adams
(Scott), Freedman (Smith), Hodges, Robbins (Tomlinson), Wilson.
--
"Time is a univseral constant" - Scully
"Not in this zip code" - Mulder from X-Files episode "Pilot"
Cheers,
Ian P.