by Barnet vs Colchester United Endsleigh League Division Three 19.8.95
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For seventy minutes Barnet were in comfortable control of this game creating
several chances which they proceeded to miss, yet at the end of the day I think
most Barnet supporters at the game will be highly relieved to escape with a
point.
The first half was a low key affair with chances very much at a Premium. Barnet
were tight at the back and enjoyed the majority of the possesion. The best
chance of the half fell to Lee Hodges on the half mark when David McDonalds
cross found him at the far post four yards out. All Hhodges had to do was head
the ball downwards into a gaping net, unfortunately for Barnet he managed to
head just wide a bad miss, a foretaste of what was to come.
The second half was a much more lively contest in which Colchester played their
full part. Early on Barnet resumed where they left off, comfortable possesion,
tight at the back but a distinct lack of invention up front.
Barnet continued to probe and had a lucky escape when Colchester provided a
warning of what was to come when a quick break caught Barnet out, the
Colchester wide man beat Jame Campbell and played in a low cross which Steve
Whitton met with a fierce volley which crashed against the bar.
This let off spured Barnet and they began to look more dangerous, particularly
Freedman who was starting to get into his stride. Just over the hour mark had
passed when Freedman seized on a bouncing ball on the corner of the Colchester
area and struck a superb lob over the Colchester keeper for a quite brilliant
goal.
Relief flooded Underhill as it began to look as though Barnet had won the
points, but the truth could hardly be further away. First Adcock caught Primus
out with a header which bounced kindly for Whitton to break clear. As he
entered the area pursued by Linvoy Primus he collapsed in a heap. From where I
was sitting it looked like a blatent dive, but the referee awarded a spot kick
and booked Primus. If Primus did push Whitton it was clearly a professional
foul and he should have received a red card, no question. I think by showing
the yellow card the referee revealed his doubts. Justice was probably done when
Whitton drove the penalty against the bar.
By opinion of the referee was futher lowered by two incidents within the next
five minutes. First a Colchester defender clearly pulled Hodges back by his
shirt as he attempted to head a Robbins cross at goal and then Jamie Campbell
used a shoulder to take out a Colchester attacker as he tried to round the
Barnet left back. Both incidents were clear penalties in my opinion yet the
referee did nothing.
Barnet's defence seemed shaken by the penalty against them and over the next
ten minutes it disintegrated totally with Whitton and Adcock both missing
simple close range chances when well placed. In a now rare Barnet attack
substitute Cooper set Terry Robbins up well only for the little striker to
place the shot too close to the Colchester keeper, another piece of poor
finishing.
Then the goal that Colchester had threatened finally arrived with nine minutes
left, Campbell beaten a low cross for the unmarked Adcock to sweep home at the
far post.
Having finally been pegged level Barnet did manage to move their game up a peg
or two and created a couple of chances. First Robbins managed the draw the
keeper out wide before rolling the ball towards the far post - unfortunately
Mark Cooper was not on the same wavelength and had gone to the near post.
Peter Scott in excellent form all afternoon twice went close with long range
shots. The final action of the game very nearly brought Barnet victory.
Freedman was tripped in the 'D'. Pardew struck a hard low free kick which
deflected going inches wide of a post with the keeper well beaten.
Barnet : Taylor, McDonald, Campbell, Pardew, Primus, Thomas, Gayle (Tomlinson),
Freedman, Hodges (Cooper), Robbins, Scott.
--
They say the king is watching his back again
They say the kning is losing his grip again
Raging like a bull to an empty ring
D'you think they will forgive a hero anything ? Gazpacho, Afraid of Sunlight
Cheers,
Ian P.