"Oh we've been awoken from our slumber once again, this time from a most unlikely source. It's not often that a Herts Senior Cup tie will generate too much debate, but there was a little issue stemming from last night's game which has troubled me.
Just what is it about Potters Bar and confrontations between Barnet supporters and players? I recall a Herts Senior Cup tie some years ago at Parkfield where we were beaten 2-0 by the host club. Certain members of the away support were apoplectic, seething with anger that our faltering season had become just a tad worse from a defeat by a side many rungs below us on the footballing ladder. It even led Scottish midfielder Stuart Niven to proclaim ""back off, pal!"" at one point!
Though last night's game was under different circumstances, this time playing tenants Hadley FC and overcoming them 4-1 after extra time, the aforementioned confrontation was borne from the frustration of one young man named Charlie Stimson.
He notched the 4th goal against a valiant Hadley effort after they simply ran out of steam. The fitness of the professional side, who employed a youthful look with a smattering of fringe first team players eventually showed through and the win was more emphatic than perhaps deserved. It was certainly harsh on the Spartan South Midlands Division One side, who have enjoyed a significant rise through the Non-League pyramid in the last few years.
After a first half that was largely played in the Barnet half, Hadley led 1-0. Barnet had a goal disallowed with their one meaningful chance of the half, a Rossi Jarvis free-kick expertly converted by the young head of Mauro Vilhete, only to be chalked off for offside. It was a sign that despite Hadley's best efforts, the professional side would eventually show the quality required and so it was proved, though only just.
Ryan Scott equalised in the second half with a towering header from a corner and Barnet could have perhaps stolen it before the end of the 90. Alas, it went to extra time and the visitors stormed it, albeit with a helping hand from the Hadley 'keeper who punched a corner into his own net under some pressure. The ever impressive Mauro Vilhete struck home a third with an authoritative finish in the second period, and Stimson rounded it off late on finishing a one-on-one. He hushed a finger to his lips, as an answer to those who had criticised him on the evening and throughout his time at Barnet. Fair enough you'd say, but it was what happened at full time that has got my keyboard tapping again. I still can't bring myself to write about first team affairs, but this was a bit more interesting.
At full time, Stimson punted a ball in the direction of the small number of Barnet supporters congregated behind the goal. An act of frustration, clearly, he'd copped a fair bit of stick. One quip from a nearby fan reached the ears of our Charlie and he reacted and offered to meet this fan in the car park. Initially it was a surprise that he rose to it, as a professional footballer, but it's easy to forget that he's an 18 year old lad who has taken a fair amount of abuse in his time at the club for not doing all that much wrong. Essentially, because he is his father's son. All things considered, it was an understandable reaction, albeit from a pretty innocuous, throwaway comment. The straw that broke the camel's back, if you will.
Said fan stayed and attempted to speak to Charlie after they had finished their warmdown. The debate became heated and although specific exchanges were not heard, it was clear that both parties were becoming wound up. Michael Stone, manager for the evening became involved and strongly defended his player. The Barnet players too were in his defence, which can be viewed in two ways: good that they would leap to the defence of a teammate, encapsulating the team spirit that Stone is clearly trying very hard to instill into Barnet FC, or bad that they would not walk away rather than shouting things in return at the supporter for expressing an opinion. It was certainly disappointing to hear what some players shouted back. Without supporters there is no club, it's an undeniable fact, it would do well to educate them in this.
However, it is easy to empathise with Charlie Stimson. He has been victimised by some sections of the Barnet support. Barely given a chance from the moment he walked through the door, he has had a lot of stick simply because of his father's disastrous spell in charge of the club. Whether he is good enough for Barnet FC is pretty irrelevant, he was more or less written off by some before a ball was kicked because he was signed by Mark Stimson. Now that Mark has left, Charlie will be attempting to prove himself without that unwanted stigma attached. It is a highly unenviable position to be in, and events like last night will not have helped one bit.
Now it may be a bit rich of me to sit here and say that abusing players is wrong. I've been pretty clear in my belief that if someone has not given it their all in a Barnet shirt, supporters are well within their rights to voice their displeasure. In the case of Stimson though, I'm not really sure what it is he has done wrong. It's not his fault that Mark's reign did not work out in the slightest. In fact I was quite surprised he didn't follow Mark out of the door, but it then shows that Charlie is willing to knuckle down and earn himself a place by his own right and prove to people that he has the capability to do so, without people labelling it down to his Dad's influence. Whether he can or not remains to be seen, but at least he's giving it a go.
The issue in the end was resolved. The supporter and Charlie went to one side and spoke. Apologies were exchanged, everything kissed and made up. With any luck, the whole experience will toughen the lad up and he will learn from it.
Broxbourne V&E next in the cup, what's going to happen there? It's like some sort of soap opera!"
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