A very satisfactory end to a hugely productive week and a very positive month. Barnet end September two points clear at the top of the National League and the outlook is a good one.
Prior to the last seven days, the concern been that we were prone to still conceding too many. Three consecutive clean sheets and 89 minutes without conceding prior to that suggests this is an element of our game that’s developed. It’s a long season and there will be tougher opposition ahead, but it’s an encouraging step forward.
Credit to Nick Hayes who looks a very different proposition in goal to a few weeks ago. Almost the talking point of the first half involved him racing out of his goal after Hartigan was turned and exposed for pace in a bit of an all round mishap, but blushes were spared. He used the space well to make it difficult for their attacker. Hopefully those early season jittery moments are in the same dustbin of recent history as the early away form.
The first half was by no means a classic. We didn’t look at our sharpest and (similar to this fixture last season) our visitors appeared well set up and drilled. It became apparent fairly early this wasn’t going to be one that was open and where we could lots of expansive, fancy stuff. Patience would be key. A message worth remembering when Stead’s effort hit the post just before going in goalless at the break.
This was of course the much anticipated “Football for a fiver” day. A sensible game to pick given the profile of opposition and likely away support. In the event, the travelling support was more than I anticipated. Fylde have brought 23 and 13 on their last two visits to The Hive, famously only selling 1 ticket in advance of last season’s game. Without an official figure at the time of writing, it looked about 60. This is not a dig at their support. We can’t say much relatively, just an observation we picked a good opposition to try and entice people in.
2432 is a much healthier attendance figure. I dare say, given how we’re playing and where we are in the table, this is not far beyond what we should be expecting to attract at the moment. It’s not usually this good to watch Barnet. The first test of how successful this initiative proves to have been comes next week when Boston are the visitors. With a first ever visit to The Hive, I imagine they’ll bring a reasonable number. I’m curious though as to how many of the 800-1000 extra punters today will be back.
This is not an attempt at finding a negative in a very positive moment football-wise, but a fair question to ask: Did we make enough of this occasion?
The ticket price was great but what would the first timer or very casual fan have experienced to make them want to come back regularly, for almost five times the cost? There was nothing stand-out about the matchday experience to give off that bit of charm that might make someone new decide to make this a habit.
The queues for food and drink were huge. A modern venue with such basic service. There was nothing to say ‘welcome to Barnet’ for any first timers.
It doesn’t have to be grand or expensive. A half time cross bar challenge competition. An inflatable penalty shoot out in the bit by the turnstiles. Balloons being given out to kids. Injured players doing meet and greets with kids in Legends. Mr Bumble chucking sweets into the crowd. Whatever it may be, but just trying to do something to say ‘great you could come, we’ve got a decent winning team this year but also see why else it’s fun to come here regularly.’
Perhaps I’m being harsh, but I really hope this wasn’t a missed opportunity and cited as a failure when people don’t want to pay £19 more for the same basic product next week and beyond. Great that so many more were encouraged to make the effort for this one, though.
Back to matters on the pitch, patience proved to be a virtue just before the hour mark when Nicke Kabamba, on as a sub, opened the scoring. Watching it back, it was a lovely passing move which led to the goal. Fylde’s stubborn resistance was broken. Barnet’s number 9 very much back in business following his injury hit start, with three goals in consecutive games - only one being a start, too.
A little like Tuesday at Aldershot, this isn’t a game that will be looked back on as a classic but the outcome is all that matters. Fylde showed a little adventure after going behind, but were restricted to nothing particularly meaningful. Following the recent social media trend of #Barclaysmen, Nathan Delfouneso in the dugout for them was a very random name to fit that bill. Currently in caretaker charge, it’ll be interesting to see what develops there to see if they can arrest the slide and stay up.
Nerves of any late drama were eased in stoppage time when Calum Stead slid home Ben Coker’s low cross to make it 2-0. Job done.
A solid if unspectacular win to make it five in a row and six out of six at home. Many positives to take away from it - the performance of Nik Tavares in particular today grabbing deserved plaudits. What a cultured footballer. The depth of the squad is looking more and more apparent. Let’s hope for continued luck on injuries to give Brennan problems of a positive kind.
Successful September. A few big ones coming up as we head into October and the season proper. If we’re in a similar or better position this time in a month, things really will be getting exciting.
Footnote: Really enjoyed the classic V sign from an elderly gentleman with very crooked fingers, sat towards the back of the Fylde supporter’s coach at someone in front of me who gave them a wave on their way out to the main road. Football is great.
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