Rampant Bees Stun Leaders &&&..

Barnet FC Ladies 3 NorthamptonTown 3

South East Combination League

Sunday 21 November 2004

At Hanwell Town FC

Barnet FC Ladies produced their best performance of the season to bring a halt to league leaders NorthamptonTown's 100% record in a classic encounter at Hanwell Town on Sunday.Although Stacey Sowden once again stole the limelight with her third hat trick in as many starts for the Bees this season, every Barnet player turned in a heroic performance.

Hat Trick Queen - Stacey Sowden

Manager Tracey Kevins made two changes from the team that had defeated Launton in the FA Cup in the previous week.Cup tied Stacey Sowden returned up front, whilst Tina Keech started at right back.The selections proved to be highly profitable for the Bees Manager as, in addition to Sowden's goalscoring exploits, the hard tackling Keech turned in a player of the match performance.

The Bees began the match at a ferocious pace and their incisive and neat passing football threatened to tear the league leaders apart.Beth Curtis went close to scoring in the first minute, whilst Abi Naugher and Stacey Sowden caused the visiting defenders problems with their pace.

However, it was Northampton who took the lead after six minutes with their first attack.The Bees defenders were caught napping at a throw in and the prolific Tanya Barnard was able to race through on goal and slot the ball past the advancing Jess Devoti.

Barnet responded positively to the setback and set about putting the visitors' goal under pressure.Stacey Sowden was twice thwarted before she scored a much-deserved equaliser after 15 minutes. Beth Curtis won the ball in midfield and released her striking partner Sowden with an exquisite chip.With trademark composure Sowden took the ball around the goalkeeper and rolled it into the net.

The Bees continued to pour forward in search of the goal that would have given them the lead.Curtis set Katie O'Donoghue free on the left-hand side only for the pacey winger to be brought down by a tackle from behind in the penalty area.However, inexplicably to Barnet players and supporters alike the referee waved play on.

As half time approached Barnet had perhaps their best opportunity to take the lead.The lively Sowden was first to the ball in an aerial challenge with the goalkeeper but as her header rolled agonisingly towards the goal a Northampton defender made a timely interception to scramble the ball clear.

In first half injury time the unthinkable happened as Northampton Town stole an interval lead.As Barnet failed to clear an attack the ball was returned to the heart of the Barnet penalty area where the prolific Barnard was on hand to strike the ball home.

Shocked at falling behind after having dominated the first half, Barnet started the second period in a much less convincing fashion.Northampton showed why they had gained so much success so far this season as they pinned the Bees back in their own half for long periods.

It was no surprise when the Cobblers extended their lead to 3-1 after 69 minutes.Indecision between Jess Devoti and Tina Keech allowed the alert Barnard to steal in to complete her hat trick.

Tina Keech - Returned to the Right Back position

Far form conceding defeat however the goal galvanised the brave Barnet team into a stunning fightback.Manager Tracey Kevins urged her side to capitalise on its superior fitness as a succession of Northampton players required treatment for cramp and minor injuries.This fact and the visitors' attempts at time wasting compelled the referee to add nearly 15 minutes injury time, a fact that was not greeted with enthusiasm by the Northampton management.

With seven minutes of normal time remaining Beth Curtis broke down the left-hand side and fed Sowden whose goal bound effort was only half cleared by the Northampton defence.However, Sowden seized on the loose clearance to curl the ball around the keeper and into the net for her's and Barnet's second goal.

The Bees sensed there was the possibility of a point or even more from the match.With two minutes of normal time remaining Sowden again broke through and with single-minded determination and great finishing struck home to complete her hat trick.

There were further opportunities for both sides in injury time but when the referee finally signalled the end of the epic encounter the points were shared as the result of a 3-3 draw.

Barnet's achievement in stretching to the limit, the league leaders who had enjoyed ten straight victories including a 2-0 win against Barnet in early September, showed just her far the Bees had progressed in recent weeks.The Barnet players can approach the forthcoming FA Women's Cup versus Chelsea with more than a little relish and optimism.

Barnet Team: Jess Devoti; Tina Keech, Katie Wicka, Cerrie Byrne, Laura Shackel; Abi Naugher, Charlie Longuehaye, Charlotte Herson, Katie O'Donoghue; Beth Curtis, Stacey Sowden.

Substitutes: Hannah Macey (for Laura Shackel 74 minutes) Not used: Kerry O'Connor, Danielle Richards and Hannah Grover.

Goalscorers: Stacey Sowden (15, 83 and 88 mins).