So it's a third consecutive convincing win at home, with a clean sheet to boot. I say convincing, it took an hour and the introduction of Jake Hyde and Nicky Deverdics and all that to really get going.
Darlington weren't really bad, as their league position suggests. In the first half they were on top and on occasions cut through a very under par Barnet side who lacked a lot of the qualities that have made Underhill such a commanding venue to visit in the last few months.
Only Watford have dared to win here so far this season, and that even took until after Extra Time. We were poor and but for some abysmal finishing, even when caught offside, Darlo could have been comfortably ahead. But then the old saying goes, things don't go right for you when you're at the bottom. Well that was summed up nicely by the Quakers, who had with them an admirable following of 324. Excellent considering the distance and their plight.
Still though, the attacking prowess of the team came to the good in the end and we were back on track with a fine win. Just the tonic you need after three away defeats. Though you look at the next game with dread, as we face Chesterfield and their menacing home record that even betters ours. At least we'll be safe in the knowledge that we won't be going there looking to run away with a point, that's just not Hendon's game. And for us at least, the prospect of another stay in Nottingham and potential of Chesterfield's Beer (and Cider and Wine) festival. We'll get some good stories that's for certain.
It's good to be back in the top seven, and yesterdays results around us have really tightened it up again. We stand a win away from being in the top three, or a defeat away from dropping out of the top ten. If we could pull one right out of the bag next week, we'll be smiling from ear to ear as we have two very winnable home games to follow in the league. Ooh it's exciting isn't it!
Plus, we've been handed another chance to beat Darlington, this time in the FA Cup. Let's have a repeat of yesterday for a passage into the second round. Why not? As long as it doesn't go to a replay. Please don't go to a replay. Such cries were heard last year as we limped to a 1-1 draw with Rochdale. Bloody horrible all round that one. Less said the better, y'know?
Anyhow, happy days once again. It's a nice feeling to be sitting on another three points of a Saturday evening. Something that's becoming of much regularity of late. I like that. We all do. Unless you're the sort of person who doesn't want us to go up. And what sort of fool would say that?
|