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And Now You’re Gonna Believe Us
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We’re gonna win the league!
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By:
Max Bygraves
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22/04/2025
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This article has been viewed 461 times.
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What a difference a few days can make. From dejection and panic on Friday night to near unbridled joy on a Monday afternoon in South London. It’s not over yet, but good as.
1103 Barnet fans made the journey to Gander Green Lane. Quite a spectacle to see us take over half a ground. Before we get into anything else, a word for the hosts. What a great set up. It was quick to get through a busy turnstile, the away end bar service was speedy (if wet at half time) and the stewarding was something else. What a great bunch. Above and beyond springs to mind as several of their fluorescent clad troop joined in with or led songs and applied a truly common sense policy throughout. A massive well done to them. By far the best away experience this season.
Pre game it was a meet en masse at Victoria before an early train to Sutton. Our esteemed public house leader led us to Shinner and Sudtone a little way down the HIGH STREET (that’s capitalised for any fans of the brilliant comedy PhoneShop set in Sutton circa 2010-12. If you don’t know, get to know). A decent affair in there and always fun on these rare away days when we take a few when the constabulary decide our group should be the focus for scrutiny. I’m not sure we’re what you’re looking for, chaps.
With concerns of queues and delays, we left in good time and took an ever so slightly elongated walking route to the ground. This still saw us arrive some 25 minutes before kick off. Time for a beer whilst the noise built on the terrace behind the goal.
As mentioned earlier, the sight of Barnet taking such a mass of a ground was really quite something. We joined a busy, boisterous terrace behind the goal we were shooting towards.
I had a chat with someone at the train station on the way home. He made a valid point that we’d been doing this a long time, but could I remember an away end like it? I have to say, I’m struggling to recall something so lively. The first half hour was a relentless barrage of noise and jumping about for young and old. Really quite special and a credit to all involved.
Things got even more exciting in the early stages when Mark Shelton’s deflected effort ended up in the net. Utter bedlam. Scenes. Bundles. Call it what you like - it went off. And how.
Not long after our goal, on looking at it back, it’s very apparent Owen Evans’ afternoon should have been brought to an abrupt halt. Not one but perhaps two fouls both not given. Our keeper stayed on the pitch and no free kick or penalty given. Lucky.
That luck felt a little like it had run out when our hosts got their equaliser shortly after the half hour mark. A handball, that seemed fairly clear from my view, was given and despite Evans guessing the right way, the spot kick was dispatched. 1-1.
In the same minute this happened, York took a 1-0 lead at home to Oldham. Fair to say the rest of the first half was a little subdued. From elation to a lot of very nervous collective energy in no time at all. A title race isn’t always a fun place to be.
Half time saw the rain really come in. Not ideal for the open away bar. Some very nervy conversations took place. Tinged with optimism but outright fear the most apparent energy. We couldn’t, could we?
The start of the second half provided a relief for the collective anxiety. A rash decision from a Sutton defender led to the Bees being awarded a penalty and the home side being reduced to 10 men.
In the 53rd minute, Mark Shelton showed nerves of steel to coolly slot the ball the other side of the keeper to restore Barnet’s lead. Relief. Joy. Just fucking YES!
The loss of a player affected Sutton and the game. With no complaints here. They ventured forward a few times but with no real danger. It never felt too in doubt.
We then had a beautiful moment on 70 minutes where The Wardrobe’s phone flashed up York 1-1 Oldham. Great fun celebrating a goal 200 miles away. We were at the side of the pitch and this notification seemed to be the first one to spread the good news. It was like another Barnet goal as we took another massive step towards the title.
On 81 minutes, one of the most satisfying moments and goals of the season. A now trademark thumping header from Ade Oluwo sealed the win. Akin to his very enjoyable winner at Boreham Wood eighteen or so months ago, his powerful effort flew into the net. Another case of pandemonium all round. A slightly above average knee slide to those of us now congregated near the halfway line with his team mates roaring in delight at the away end. Magic.
We saw the game out looking the more threatening but with no reason to do much more.
In North Yorkshire, things stayed as they were. The 1-1 draw was confirmed ahead of our final whistle. No title party today but the maths looking very pleasing.
Once time was called at Sutton, much deserved adulation for the players on the staff in front of a Barnet away end for the ages. Outstanding. Bloody good work, everyone.
I don’t suppose anyone reading this needs the maths, but let’s do it to be complete. A point is needed from our final two games against Aldershot (H) and Fylde (A). Even the most optimistic York fan isn’t believing anymore.
On the way out the ground, I found myself in an 11 minute queue on the Barnet ticket website for Saturday. My wife and children want to get involved and after more effort than it should have been, everyone’s place was secured for Aldershot. My eldest is just about old enough for it to be an early memory; I’ll show the younger one the pictures. It feels right to make this an occasion for all. My dad, generally a fan from a distance (but who I first went with) is also getting involved. I’m sure there are plenty of other scenarios like this. These are not days to be missed.
After another celebratory beer in the pre match establishment, we boarded the 19:12 to Victoria. The train was driven by our dear friend who we’ve not heard much about on here this season: The Secret Season Ticket Holder.
The site of the train driver leaning out of his cab window as he pulled into Sutton station cheering was very much in keeping with the day. We were treated to an array of enjoyable announcements encouraging further Barnet chants and behaviour at our discretion. Thanks mate. Several new friends made at the front of the train as we disembarked, with one kindly fellow giving him a Barnet pin badge to put on his uniform.
The last few weeks have felt needlessly stressful but perhaps they’ll make the crescendo even more fun. It’s been amazing and we deserve this. How long until Saturday?
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