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Say We Are Top Of The League
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Enjoy it…
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By:
Max Bygraves
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15/12/2024
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This article has been viewed 368 times.
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After navigating horrific traffic across seemingly all parts of North London, it was a bit of a different one for this, initially.
Away from being a complete nerd about all things Barnet and writing mediocre ramblings for a collective of loyal kindly souls, I work in education across two primary schools in Barnet. Articles are written with a pseudonym for this reason - some people really like Google (not that there’s much scandal-worthy to be found here, but better to keep things separate). I have covered this before I think, but worth a revisit in context.
Two weeks ago at work, we had the pleasure of a visit from Callum Stead and Joe Kizzi, along with foundation manager Dan Barton. All three of them were first class. It was an absolutely brilliant experience for the kids and was all done to whet the appetite of the school community for our ‘big day out’ for this fixture with Ebbsfleet. The club had done everything absolutely right ahead of this - massive credit to all involved.
I was pitch side early doors to help co-ordinate youngsters going to the correct place with them all donning Bring Barnet Back t shirts. They asked for matching tops - it was clearly the best option! It looked great as they came out with the two teams and some of them waved flags on the pitch. Let’s hope we’ve caught a few new fans and ones who will have a more local club to support in the not too distant…
In some ways, this was the ideal fixture for capturing the minds of excited kids. As long as it went to plan. Ebbsfleet are having an absolute horror show of a season. They are down already and need it to be over - all before Christmas.
Josh Wright is the third person to take the mantle in the dugout this season. Those of us who saw him on loan for Barnet in 2007/08 season will remember a classy player and (I would have thought) can only have good things to say. It makes me feel horribly old he is now managing. We are roughly the same age. The football career dream is officially over.
Onto the game and it was apparent very early that the gulf was big. We controlled possession from the off. It felt like actually a fair amount of time had gone when Kabamba deftly headed home in the 9th minute. What we didn’t do last week against Aveley, we had here. The floodgates were now waiting to be opened.
They were smashed open in incredible style on 18 minutes when Mark Shelton won the 2024/25 goal of the season. An unbelievable hit from outside the box arrived into the top corner. Absolute perfection. So satisfying to watch. What a hit, son. What a hit.
The fun didn’t stop there. We’d smelt blood now and we were going for it. Rhys Browne coolly slotted a third goal home on 27 minutes. A lovely symmetry of nine minutes between each of the first three. Just me?
We only had to wait six further minutes for number four. Glover completed a lovely passing move to sweep the ball home. As poor as the opposition were, real quality was on show. A great team goal.
At this stage, you almost felt embarrassed for Ebbsfleet. Some of their younger supporters decided the fourth was their cue to leave and consequently went and stood outside the ground in view giving it to our adolescent squad, before departing. An amusing exchange ensued. Just go home, lads, it’s done.
After an enjoyable, very relaxed time under the stand during the break, we ventured out wondering if another Tamworth was in the offing.
Simply, sadly not. Brennan managed the game well with all five subs made to be careful on people’s minutes. Very sensible.
We did control things, but arguably by inflicting what we did early, we’d taken the impetus out. Ebbsfleet tried enough to not make it easy and (former Bee) Mark Cousins in goal had a very decent game. Without him, it could have really escalated.
There was time for a bit of a shake of the head moment with five minutes to go when the formerly prolific Dominic Poleon grabbed a consolation. It was a horrible goal. Barnet’s number one did not cover himself in glory. What’s that Phats & Small hit from 2001 again?
Whilst we didn’t score again, there was another goal to get excited about. Tamworth scored a last minute equaliser against York City. Those two points dropped by the Minstermen resulted in us returning to the summit. On the equivalent weekend in the 2004/05 title winning season, we beat Gravesend (away) and Tamworth did us a favour beating Carlisle. Omen? Maybe a bit of a reach. We also beat Gravesend 4-1 at home that season. It’s all coming together.
The second half was a little underwhelming and perhaps we could and should have been more ruthless. However, if you’re walking away from a 4-1 win feeling a bit perturbed we didn’t score a few more, you may want to give your head a wobble. This is a good team and these are good times. Supporting Barnet is rarely like this - particularly the fact we’re now in a third consecutive season of doing well at the top end of the table. Really make the most of it being like this. You’ll regret it when things change if you don’t enjoy the now!
Two further home fixtures await either side of Christmas. A great chance to stay at the summit with hopefully six more points. Halifax and Sutton will present sterner tests than Ebbsfleet, but we should be confident of beating anyone at the moment.
Can’t work out what would constitute a 9 point Christmas this year - I guess next Saturday, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day? Either way, it would be a most welcome gift.
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