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Three goals, second gear
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By:
Max Bygraves
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15/09/2024
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This article has been viewed 602 times.
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It’s a positive situation when a 3-1 home win feels just the done thing. Braintree at home wasn’t a fixture that jumped off the list in July and I’m not sure how long the game will live in the memory, but three more points and three more goals are both most welcome.
I had been due to miss this one. As probably mentioned at some stage previously, my wife is a Watford fan and also a season ticket holder there with her dad. When I returned to the fold of regularly attending three seasons ago, I perhaps a little hastily committed to her always having priority (I didn’t know I’d end up this deep again) when there was a clash, giving us a childcare dilemma. After next to no instances of this in the last two seasons, the fixture computer has been less kind this time around, with almost half our home games at the same time.
Perhaps it was Brennan’s impassioned plea (let’s call it that) in his now social media famous Tuesday night interview. Something made me decide it was worth the gamble of bringing along both my four and two year old along so as not to miss out. A gamble. Barnet winning at home with the consistency we are at the moment is not something most of us have ever been too used to. Not to be taken for granted.
For what it’s worth, both kids did unbelievably well and barring the last five minutes of the first half and perhaps the odd important moment (the 3rd goal), I was able to watch the game properly enough to make writing this worthwhile. Visions of a 3:25 departure thankfully didn’t come to fruition. For anyone in a similar position and weighing up if it’s worth bringing small people along to be able to attend themselves, it’s all about the tactical bag of snacks. Spread out and varied. Keep an eye on the time - do not go too early with the big guns. Dino tails from Aldi are an absolute game changer, though. You’re welcome.
The return of Big John Akinde (to give him his official, full name) was undoubtedly the most notable point of a visit from Braintree. A relatively ‘new’ opposition to us, having only played them in the last decade, I can’t imagine they stir up too much feeling for anyone. Although some will have memories of that 4-0 in 2019…
I can’t claim to have seen John Akinde play for Barnet with the regularity of others given my patchy attendance during his time with the club. In spite of this, according to the stats page here, he’s still the person I’ve seen score the 6th highest number of goals for Barnet (Grazioli still out in front at the moment). It says quite a lot. Prolific. A proper bagsman; rightfully added to the DSH Legends page during the close season.
I’ve heard several rumours that Akinde was all set for a glorious return this summer, only to fail a fitness test at the final hurdle. No idea on the validity of that claim but it’s been put about quite widely. His best years may be behind him, but can you imagine that as an option from the bench?
After a nice reception from the main stand, within a minute of the game starting, Big John had shown all those present that he very much hasn’t lost it. ‘Rolling’ Oluwo, it was a charge to the goal almost all the way from the halfway line that he finished with customary aplomb. 0-1 before some had even taken their seats. Given the scenario, you couldn’t do much else but laugh.
The game’s frantic start continued - thankfully. Within three minutes, it was back to level terms. Mark Shelton tucked home from close range in a goal that you’d imagine the visitors were slightly disappointed with. It all felt very easy. This certainly calmed any nerves and gave a chance for a reset.
We enjoyed a good spell after this and began to look the more likely. Sure enough, just after quarter of an hour, a glancing header from Stead nestled in the bottom corner from Chapman’s ball in. 2-1.
One could have been forgiven for now having an expectation that this could turn into another Tamworth. A post denying a third perhaps stemmed this as Braintree went on to show they very much hadn’t given up on getting something.
Nick Hayes hasn’t wowed in goal during his early Barnet career but this was definitely his best game yet. A fine save from an Inih Effiong (another ex-Bee, Annesley for them completing a trio) effort kept the lead intact. Hayes went on to make more of these throughout. A game that will hopefully boost confidence and help him kick on.
Another nervy moment came towards the latter stages of the first half when another Braintree break was denied at the last by an outstanding challenge from Ade Oluwo. Perfectly timed and decisive. Our Irish correspondent watching on National League TV reported that this resulted in some choice language of celebration from co-commentator Danny Collinge. Brilliant.
Half time involved a lot of running about after one of those small stress balls they sell in the club shop in the far corner of the ground by the turnstiles. Credit to the police and stewards, by the way, for being very warm and friendly towards the youngsters as they raced about letting off some half time energy.
The second half became a little pedestrian although Braintree still looked a threat at times. Some similarities to the game at home to Ebbsfleet last year at a similar point in the season. Newly promoted side sitting back and hitting us on the break with two up top. On another day, they might have repeated Fleet’s feat that day of scoring two but it wasn’t to be.
With quarter of an hour left, Shelton came close to doubling his personal tally and wrapping things up, but was denied by a good save. Shortly after however, a 3rd was added. As admitted earlier, I didn’t actually see what happened but it was an own goal after some good work from Brunt, I’m told.
It was a pleasing result albeit without a vintage performance. The manager’s post-match assessment felt a little harsh. I would very much dispute the claim we played better at Maidenhead than in this one. All for expecting high standards but some of the individual criticism felt a little out in line with the now widely seen interview from a few days ago.
Anyway, jovial scenes at full time in our row. Depeche Mode is now a new favourite for the car. Well done to whoever was on the buttons to keep the music going this time too. It took bloody ages to get back to the car after dancing their way out before stopping at every turn, but given the successful afternoon in the stands, patience was in abundance for this.
Onto next week. It means so much more to them than us. There’s a man who counts down to this fixture every season on his Twitter page. Keep that in mind before getting sucked in to any of their diatribe.
They’ve become an irritant in that we’ve met them regularly now for a number of years and they enjoy every little moment of relative success against us so much. They’re a bunch of odd balls and it’s not enjoyable being in their presence. Hopefully we won’t be going to that abomination of a place again anytime soon after next week, regardless of how we do this season. It would be really satisfying to go there and give them a proper hiding, and then move on. Getting an away win is the main thing.
Let’s see what the points tally looks like after back-to-back aways, before we host Fylde. The club’s football for a fiver initiative is ahead of previous attempts already with the early planning. Let’s see it properly marketed, shared and that we make it a success.
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