The most simple, basic and obvious formula that a team must follow in order to do well is to score goals regularly and be tight at the back. Darlington are a case in point. More often than not they have managed a clean sheet and from that basis they go in search of goals and points. Could it be that at long last Barnet are adopting some of these characteristics?
A 0-0 scoreline at home against the Quakers, a result which put the visitors into an automatic promotion spot, is cause for some celebration since in the previous five matches the Bees had conceded twelve goals.
The Barnet manager post match felt that his keeper hardly had a save to make all evening. This was testament to the hard work in all areas of the pitch. Players in the gold and black were chasing down every ball. Coming from the coaching area could frequently be heard the instruction, "press the ball."
The starting line up saw two changes from the game against Wrexham with skipper Ismail Yakubu and defender Kenny Gillet both sidelined with injury. Jordan Parkes and Kieron St Aimie came into the starting line up with Nicky Nicolau moving back into the left back slot.
From the first moment winger Albert Adomah took the game to the Darlington defence. His pace and control was a constant danger until after ten minutes he took a knock on the knee which hampered his progress for a while. But Paul Fairclough was later to comment how pleased he was that Albert was still on top of his game in the later stages, whereas in some games, for a player just getting accustomed to full time football, he had shown signs of tiring.
With two wingers, St Aimie patrolling the left flank, the Bees were set up to attack. Midfielder Neal Bishop was on top of his form, patrolling the midfield as enforcer and distributor and for most pundits he was their man of the match.
Late in the first half an overhead kick by St. Aimie flashed narrowly wide as Barnet pushed for an opening goal. When the Quakers did attack they found Joe Devera, re-installed in his favoured centre back position, in commanding form. Rarely out jumped and yet to be out paced he nullified all that Darlington had to offer.
Alan White, the Darlington defender, may lack a little in mobility and Adam Birchall and Anthony Thomas both managed to skip past his lunges and develop attacks. White however was a often dominant in the air and on a rare foray upfield in the second half he found the side netting when positioned to do better.
In the closing moments both sides could have broken the deadlock. Darlington had their moments of pressure without carving out a real chance and in time added on substitute Cliff Akurang and Adomah saw their headers miss the target by inches.
Barnet now have seven remaining matches, five away and only two at Underhill. Although the Bees are not mathematically safe from relegation it has all but discounted as a possibility. Paul Fairclough signalled his intention of planning for next season by giving opportunities to players on the fringe, Danny Hart was mentioned, and also to try out players in different positions. He stressed that this process would not be allowed to interfere with the key objective of winning matches and finishing with more points than last season.
Two away trips for the Bees now follow. Field Mill, Mansfield on Saturday and Valley Parade, Bradford next Tuesday are the venues where the Bees will seek to add to their points tally.
David Bloomfield
