The matches in any one season fall into many categories. Some are enthralling and will live long in the memory and there are others that have few distinguishing marks that set them apart and are apt to be forgotten. This 0-0 draw at Meadow Lane today against Notts County perhaps falls into the later category but that would be to belittle the sheer effort and resilience it required from the Barnet players to take a point from this game.
Nicky Nicolau took the place on the left hand side of midfield vacated by the suspended Jason Puncheon as Barnet kept faith with a 4-4-2 formation.
The playing surface left a lot to be desired. There is little grass and a lot of sand. When the players examined the pitch before the game they could be excused for asking what time the tide was due in.
In the 8th minute a long ball from the Magpies Jay Smith cut open the Bees defence and Ryan Jarvis manoeuvred himself into a shooting position but Rob Beckwith was equal to the challenge and kept the ball out with his feet.
Ten minutes later Barnet counter attacked and in an instant went from defending a corner one moment to Nicolau making progress down the left the next. Getting himself into a good position in the box, advancing down the Barnet right was Kenny Gillet. The cross was duly delivered from the wing and Gillet made a good connection with the ball but the experienced Russell Hoult was on hand to palm the ball way. This was to be the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock all afternoon.
In the first half Beckwith was replaced by Lee Harrison in the Barnet goal. Beckwith was experiencing some discomfort when kicking from the floor, although not out of his hands, and as a precautionary measure it was felt that he should be substituted.
The first half ended with the home side exerting some pressure on the Barnet goal, winning a series of corners, but in a half of little flowing football neither side had done enough to carve out a lead.
The second half saw Ismail Yakubu go close with a header from a Josh Wright corner and Albert Adomah start a move inside his own half, switch the ball out to the left, and follow up to have a strike on the Notts County goal.
The Bees had the slight edge in the second period, and with the home fans getting restless at the occasional witless play by their team, Barnet looked the more likely to claim the three points.
The return of Sagi Burton to the line up has been beneficial. He uses his experience to be in the right place at the right time, he is very adept at timing his interceptions, he loses very few aerial contests and he was a main contributor to keeping the opposition at bay today.
In conclusion this was a sound team display, without hitting any great heights, and an away day clean sheet is surely cause for some mild celebration.
The next stop for the Bees road show is the coastal town of Grimsby this Tuesday.
David Bloomfield
