A late Ismail Yakubu header ensured Barnet's revenge on Stevenage Borough and the perfect start to the New Year with a 2-1 victory. Simon Weatherstone had previously cancelled out a Giuliano Grazioli goal before Yakubu's 87th minute strike.
Graham Westley was made to eat his own words as a Barnet side missing Ian Hendon, Liam Hatch and Dwane Lee held their own against their expensively assembled rivals. Matters got worse for the Bees as Simon King limped off at half time and Richard Graham was only fit enough to make the bench.
Ben Strevens, Guy Lopez and Lee Roache came into the side that got back to winning ways against Scarborough and Tom Champion was introduced once King was forced to depart.
Westley claims Barnet could not handle the pressure but the hosts did the complete opposite, soaking up Stevenage's aerial threat and then going on to open the scoring. Grazioli was given far too much space to latch onto Simon Clist's long ball, and once behind Jason Goodliffe the finish was always going to be easy as the ball was placed over the advancing Andy Woodman.
To be fair, the visitor's did dominate the early proceedings, especially from set plays but with Barnet's young side it was always going to be a real challenge. Anthony Elding and Dino Maamria both missed good chances with their heads but their downfall was simply down to failing to hit the target. When they did hit the target it was tame, George Boyd shooting straight at Scott Tynan.
Stevenage suffered a further blow only two minutes after Grazioli's 18th of the season when Maamria had to be replaced by Quailey. With Barnet looking to rub salt in the wounds Roache almost added a second but his shot on the turn went inches wide of Woodman's post.
The substitution did pay dividends though as Stevenage started positively, the same way they did in the first half. Quailey was quick to take advantage of Yakubu's hesitance and getting behind the Bees defence he was able to cross for Simon Weatherstone to convert at the near post. The visitors continued to pile forward and both Quailey and Elding (twice) were guilty of not taking advantage of some slack Barnet defending.
Barnet came more into the game after the introduction of Graham for Lopez. Despite not being utilised to his full potential his return got the home side going as the Bees began to venture more into the Boro half. Yakubu tested Woodman from close range and a brilliant individual run from Strevens had Woodman at full stretch.
Then in the 87th minute Woodman gifted the Bees a corner after Clist's free kick looked to be going harmlessly out of play. The resulting Nicky Bailey cross was met by Yakubu, unmarked at the back post to power home for his third goal of the season.
Stevenage, shell shocked offered very little in return, despite the additional five minutes of time and their only noticeably effort saw Weatherstone blast well wide from a corner.
Sweet revenge for Barnet, especially after seeing how harsh Lee's dismissal was as the Boxing Day highlights were replayed on the TV build-up. Despite the pressure, the young Barnet team did themselves proud in recording their team's first victory over Boro at Underhill since the return to the Conference.
Yes Westley, a third defeat in four games could have been devastating, but our 2nd consecutive win has seen us jump 19 points clear over your team currently occupying the final play-off position. With Carlisle dropping points the gap at the top has now also increased to 13 points.
Happy New Year!
