Bees Winning Start Comes to an End &&&.

NorthamptonTown 2 Barnet FC Ladies 0

South East Combination League

Sunday 5 September 2004

At Northampton Spencer FC

Barnet FC Ladies excellent start to the season came to a halt when NorthamptonTown defeated them in last Sunday's Soth East Combination fixture at Northampton Spencer FC.Prior to the match Barnet and NorthamptonTown, who are both newcomers to the South East Combination League this season, had both enjoyed 100% records in their previous two matches.

Barnet went into the match without Annie Barratt who had returned to LoughboroughUniversity.However, they welcomed back Vicky Dodds and Kelly Hughes who had missed the previous match against BedfordTown.Donna McGuigan was given her first start in midfield after promising substitute appearances in the previous two matches.Recent signings Naomi Poletyllo and Katy Wicka were included amongst the substitutes.

As was to be expected, the first half was very tight affair with both teams starting in confident mood.It was clear that Northampton were an accomplished side with some quick forwards who caused problems for the Barnet back four.Nevertheless, Cerrie Byrne and Charlotte Herson appeared to be in dominant form at the heart of the Bees' defence.

As for the Bees, they gave an energetic performance especially in midfield, but were not helped by the hot conditions and hard bumpy pitch, which made control difficult.Charlie Longuehaye and Danielle Richards looked particular eager to claim all three points for Barnet with displays that were full of energy and determination in midfield.Up front Kerry O'Connor and Beth Curtis probed for an opening but were unable to break the deadlock.

Both sides created chances in the opening period, however neither was able carve the clear-cut opportunity that would have given them the lead.

Matters quickly changed early in the second half.Barnet started the second period positively and forced a corner immediately from the re-start.However, the home defence dealt with the set piece successfully and launched a counterattack of its own. With Byrne and Herson up field for the corner the remaining Barnet defenders were unable to deal with the long clearance and the dangerous Northampton forward Christie was able to advance on goal and slip the ball past the exposed Jess Devoti.

It was a cruel blow to have conceded a goal in such fashion so close to the restart.The Barnet Management and supporters were hopeful that their team would respond positively to the set back as they had done in their previous match against BedfordTown.However, despite loads of honest endeavour they were unable to produce the football of which they were capable and subsequently made little impact on the home side.

Barnet Manager, Tracey Kevins introduced three substitutes Naomi Poletyllo, Kelly Hughes and, late in the game, Hayley Johnson in an attempt to change her sides fortunes, but without success.

Northampton continued to exert pressure on the Barnet defence and added to their lead after 72 minutes.Substitute Todd met a deep far post cross with a powerful strike that left the Barnet goalkeeper with little chance of making a save.

It was a disappointment to have lost this match, albeit to a side that will be amongst the favourites for promotion.However, the defeat should be put into perspective with only three matches played and with the opportunity to regain the three points when NorthamptonTown visit HanwellTown later in the season.The Barnet team must keep faith that they are a much better team than their performance in this match would suggest.

Barnet Team: Jess Devoti; Hannah Grover, Cerrie Byrne, Charlotte Herson, Amanda Clothier; Donna McGuigan, Victoria Dodds, Danielle Richards, Charlie Longuehaye;Beth Curtis, Kerry O'Connor.

Substitutes: Naomi Poletyllo (for Kerry O'Connor58 mins), Kelly Hughes (for Danielle Richards 58 mins), Hayley Johnson (for Donna McGuigan 87 mins), Katy Wicka (not used).

This Sunday Barnet FC Ladies entertain Rushden & Diamonds in a South East Combination League fixture.The match will be played at Hanwell Town FC with a 2.00pm kick-off.
Good afternoon and welcome to Hanwell Town FC for our latest fixture in the South East Combination League.

We are pleased to extend our customary warm welcome to the players, officials and supporters of Rushden & Diamonds, who are visiting us for the first time this afternoon.Rushden & Diamonds have had a disappointing start to the new season having lost all three of their matches to date against Leyton Orient (2-3), NorthamptonTown (1-4) and West Ham United (0-1).Therefore, our visitors will be keen to get their campaign off to a belated start this afternoon and our own players will have to expect a difficult match.

Barnet have been in action twice since my last programme notes and the matches produced differing fortunes.BedfordTown were beaten 3-1 here two weeks ago, whilst we were defeated 0-2 by the early season league leaders at NorthamptoonTown last Sunday.

Beth Curtis gave us a first half lead against BedfordTown with an audacious chip, before the visitors levelled the score in the second period.However, the Bees showed great character to respond with two quick goals to claim all three points.Annie Barratt scored our second goal in her last match before returning to LoughboroughUniversity, whilst Beth Curtis completed the scoring late in the game.

Unfortunately, we were unable to reproduce the form shown in our opening two matches at NorthamptonTown last Sunday.Our defeat, against undoubtedly our toughest opponents so far this season, was very disappointing given our high expectations going into the fixture.However, the defeat must be put into perspective at this early stage of the campaign.The strength of our club will be measured in how we respond to the setback, starting with today's fixture.

We currently stand in sixth position in the South East Combination League table, three points behind NorthamptonTown, who are the only the team in the Division with a 100% record.Our fixture list shows that four of our next five matches are to be played here at HanwellTown.It is important that we make home advantage count and improve our league standing.

Tracey Kevins has strengthened her squad by signing two more experienced players, Naomi Poletyllo and Katy Wicka. Welcome to both players and we hope you have a long and successful stay atBarnet.

Phil Longuehaye's young reserve side begin their league programme today with a visit to Rushden & Diamonds.The start to the campaign was delayed by the cancellation of last week's proposed fixture with NorthamptonTown who have withdrawn from the Reserve Division.

Next weekend both our first team and reserves are involved in local derbies against Queens' Park Rangers.The first team fixture will be played here at Hanwell Town FC with a 2.00pm kick-off.We last met QPR in the FA Women's Premier League Southern Division during the 2001/02 season when both teams were involved in the battle to avoid relegation.

Finally, a reminder that we shall be holding a race night in the Barnet FC Social Club on Saturday 25 September.There will be opportunities to win some money as well as sponsoring a race or owning a horse.Full details are available from Gill Jones.

It was really good to see you turning out in such great numbers at Northampton last weekend.Please continue to get behind the team today and help them prove that last Sunday's defeat was only a temporary setback.

Enjoy the match.