Following the far from convincing performance on Saturday at home to Macclesfield, it was with trepidation that we ventured back to Dean Court for this game, especially as the visitors who all season have been poor away from home had seemingly hit a run of form that might just make things difficult for us.
Alan Connell was rewarded for his equalising goal on Saturday with a start at the expense of Josh McQuoid, which I thought was harsh as Josh had a good game on Saturday. We welcomed back Ryan Garry and saw Marvin move back into the middle as Danny was forced to sit out through injury.
As impressive as the performance was in the first half the Cherries were unable to find a way through. This said, Barnet were not out to win plaudits and hardly threatened Jalal in goal. Brett had several opportunities but alas with his first two chances he somehow managed to scuff the shot. The crowd got excited on the quarter hour mark as Fletch latched onto a through ball and seemingly away on his own, until we noticed the flag up – ah that was why he was able to be so far clear. Feeney had a nice curling attempt turned away whilst Connell dug out a shot that forced the keeper into a fine save. A Fletch knock-on for Brett on the 6-yard box was turned away and the resultant corner saw a game of ping-pong that eventually Barnet got away.
So in parts we were good, showed plenty of endeavour, and whilst we had lots of huff & puff we just lacked a killer punch. Connell wasn’t doing it for me on the left wing but then again Barnet offered very little.
Into the second half and finally we made our domination show. An early sign of things to come with Fletch and Brett linking well that saw a Brett shot fired high and wide. Then whilst Barnet had one chance that cut us asunder Rhoys was in position to save the day. And then just past the hour mark it finally came, the breakthrough. A Jalal free kick from his half found Feeney on the right flank. A slip by a Barnet defender allowed Liam the space to move forward. His curling cross saw Fletch rise like a salmon, head and the ball flew in. One nil and the floodgates open.
Moments later Fletch set Connell on his way only for him to shoot narrowly wide. Then a long through ball seemed to be easily dealt with by Barnet as defender let the ball drop towards his advancing keeper. They didn’t account for Brett who continued to chase the ball and indecision between the 2 Barnet players allowed Brett the chance to sneak the ball. The keeper unsure if he was in the box or not hesitated, Brett toe-poked the ball rounded the keeper and coolly slotted home the second. Brett got his second after linking well with Feeney with a shot low and hard past the keeper.
Then everyone seemingly lined up to try and get Brett his hat-trick. Jeff Goulding fed Brett with two passes but his final touch deserted him. Another chance soon presented itself but after some keystone cop defending Brett was unable to take advantage.
A win that sees us back into 2nd place in the league. Now let us build on this as the season gets to the business end, I really do not want to do the Play-offs!!
Marvin Bartley – who worked tireless throughout.
AFCB: Jalal, Bradbury, Pearce, Garry, Wiggins, Connell, Bartley, Robinson, Feeney, Fletcher, Pitman
Subs: Thomas, Goulding (for Fletcher, 78 mins), McQuoid (for Feeney, 81 mins), Cummings (for Connell, 83 mins)
Nick Wallinger, Ickenham