The Fans' 2006/2007 Season Review
By Reckless
August & September
The closed season Summer months of 2006 seemed to pass so quickly, notwithstanding the infamous sloping Underhill pitch being given the all clear by the Football League, the withdrawal of the reserve side from the Pontin's Combination, the completion of the smart new car park behind the South Stand (West Bank to you and I), the refurbishment of the Durham Suite and the Pavilion Bar, the completion of new turnstile blocks all round the ground and the detention of star striker Tresor Kandol at Her Majesty's Pleasure for 13 weeks!
After the departures of Ben Strevens, Simon Clist, Damien Batt, Louie Soares, Ben Bowditch and Lee Roache from the playing staff, Underhill was alive with conjecture and discussions regarding suggestions for replacements and new arrivals. Paul Fairclough failed to acquire Torquay striker Jo Kuffour but negotiated new deals with or extensions to the contracts of Anthony Charles, Jason Norville, Paul Warhurst and Andy Hessenthaler. Then came the news that Barnet goalkeeping legend Lee Harrison was to return after 4 years. Voted 3 times Player of the Year Lee's position was revealed as the new player/coach. Others to sign on the dotted line were powerful midfielder Jason Puncheon from MK Dons, Brazilian forward Magno Vieira from Carlisle, ex Arsenal trainee full back Nicky Nicolau and winger Barry Cogan for an undisclosed fee from Millwall. The highly rated defender Joe Devera, Barnet Protec's under 19's captain signed professional forms and joined a squad of 22.
The traditional curtain raiser to the Season, the visit of Arsenal to Underhill in July, resulted in a tight 0-0 draw in front of over 4,500 fans while victories over Enfield Town (2-1), Hitchin Town (1-0), St Albans City (3-0), and Luton Town (2-1) completed the pre-season friendly menu.
The opening League fixture saw a repeat pairing of the infamous relegation decider in May 2001 when winner took all and Barnet dropped into the Conference. Torquay United, who were to finish bottom of this seasons table, nicked the game deep into injury time totally against the run of play with a goal from Lee Thorpe courtesy of a weak back pass from Paul Warhurst. It was a tough pill to swallow for the majority of the 2,827 attendance.
Lightning struck again 3 days later at Swindon Town's County Ground in front of a big 7,000 plus crowd as
another last minute winner stung the Bees. However this was an unstoppable drive from Royce Brownlie that gave Harrison no chance.
Nicky Bailey had given the Bees an 18th minute lead until Rick Shakes equalised halfway through the second half. The result left Barnet in 19th position in the table only above Rochdale, Bury, Bristol Rovers, Accrington Stanley and Stockport on goal difference.
Newly promoted Stanley was the next stop. At the final whistle Accrington were celebrating their first League win by 2 goals to 1. It was a frankly under par performance from the Bees with a last minute consolation goal from Simon King making the score look respectable albeit flattering. We needed a win to jump start the season and quick!
That first win came the following Saturday
at home to Hereford Utd. Receiving a fine pass from Ian Hendon,
Giuliano Grazioli controlled perfectly to fire the Bees ahead on 28 minutes past ex Bee Scott Tynan.
Nicky Bailey made it 2-0 after 62 minutes following a brilliant turn and run into the box.
Jason Puncheon added a third in injury time with a 25-yard drive to cap a superb all round performance from the former MK Dons midfielder. Up and running and the lofty heights of 17th place in the table. Swindon were top with a 100% record from the first three games. The Carling Cup 1st round saw Barnet pitted against Championship pace setters Cardiff City at Ninian Park - a tough draw to say the least. However the Bees and particularly Tresor Kandol were in fine form and happily travelled home to Hertfordshire with a
comfortable 2-0 win in their pockets. Kandol's two goals came either side of half time - the first a precise 40 yard effort thanks to a poor clearance from Bluebird's goalkeeper Howard, and the second a majestic header from a superb Devera cross. The second round draw was greeted with joy at Underhill, as Barnet were to meet Leeds Utd at Elland Road. Half days and holidays were eagerly booked by the Barnet faithful.
Brighton and Hove Albion made a reputed £150,000 offer for Mr Kandol at the end of August which would have been no mean return on the £50,000 paid out for the 25 year old. However the bid was rejected, possibly illustrating the sound financial footing now in place at the club.
At
The Racecourse Ground Wrexham 4 days later in front of 4,500, Barnet were 0-1 down after 15 minutes, But with the Bees on roll and full of confidence the equaliser came after 62 minutes, Tresor Kandol heading home following a fine move involving Dean Sinclair, Grazioli and Barry Cogan. It finished 1-1 and left the team at the end of the month in 17th spot with four points from five games, respectable considering the disappointing start to the League programme. On a downside four more bookings were collected making 11 in total for the season so far.
Promotion favourites Walsall visited Underhill on Saturday September, 7th and 2,356 fans enjoyed an entertaining game which finished 1-1. Sinclair opened the scoring after 16 minutes but the Saddlers equalised on 58 minutes through Dean Keates. The result left Paul Fairclough feeling frustrated having gained just 1 point and not the 3 points that the exceptional first half display had merited.
After a goalless first half,
the visit to Moss Rose Macclesfield came to life. The Silkmen opened the scoring but Barnet responded on the hour mark with a Capt. Hendo penalty Four minutes later the Bees took the lead - Puncheon's powerful run and cross found Bailey whose shot was palmed away but the ball fell to Barry Cogan who delightfully guided the chance home for his first professional goal. The game turned again as Matthew Tipton made it 2-2 and the 1700 crowd had witnessed three goals in six minutes. However from a corner, fiercely drilled in by Puncheon,
Nicky Bailey powered in a header for 3-2. The goal was uncannily similar to Bailey's goal in last season's fixture.
The next two games, both at Underhill, against Boston United and Notts County witnessed 11 goals. Unfortunately six of those were for the opposition! Only 1,461 supporters turned out to see Boston pegged back three times by the Bees thanks to two goals from Magno Vieira and a last minute equaliser from Grazioli the craftsman. His masterful finish earned a share of the points.
Barnet were 2-0 up after 30 minutes
against a 7th placed Notts County thanks to a penalty from
Ian Hendon and
Jason Puncheon. Yet County had turned the game around ten minutes into the second half by responding with three goals from Alan White, Andy Parkinson and veteran Jason Lee. However it could have been far worse after Lee Harrison's fine double save firstly guessing correctly to parry Danny Martin's penalty kick and then superbly blocking Martin's follow -up. The results left Barnet in 15th place with nine points from 9 games.
Much to the bemusement of the 627 fans who travelled to Elland Road, Leeds for the 2nd round of the Carling Cup, Paul Fairclough made no less than eight changes to the starting line up. The decision frankly back-fired on the Bees Manager as
Leeds were one up after seven minutes, Robbie Blake the scorer, and dominated the first half. After 74 minutes Utd were 3 up and clear thanks to two goals from Ian Moore. Magno Vieira added some respectability to the final scoreline bundling home a Puncheon corner but it was a disappointing night overall one has to say.
A 2-2 draw was the result at Gigg Lane, Bury in front of 1900 fans on Saturday 23rd September, Kandol and Hendon the Bees scorers. Jason Puncheon saw a red card after 54 minutes for an off the ball incident with Paul Scott.
The following Tuesday,
Barnet visited London Road, Peterborough. The evergreen Andy Hessenthaler cancelled out Peter Gain's first half opener with a well-crafted goal just after half time. Bailey's 40-yard pass found Kandol who broke clear of the Posh defence to perfectly set up Hess from 6 yards out. There were over 400 Barnet supporters in the attendance of 3,193.
MK Dons were the next visitors to Underhill - the result? Yet another score draw with the teams sharing 6 goals. Yet after 57 minutes the lads were 3-1 up thanks to a Capt. Hendo penalty, Tresor Kandol and Richard Graham. Ben Chorley converted a penalty to bring the game back to 3-2 but disaster really struck in injury time, with Lloyd Dyer scoring. Moment's later Lee Harrison superbly tipped over McGovern's chip - so it could have been much worse. Over 800 visiting fans swelled the attendance to nearly 3,000.
At the end of September,
Barnet sat in 18th spot in the table with 12 points from 12 games headed by Walsall. On the brighter side only 7 points separated Boston Utd in 23rd place and Hartlepool Utd in 7th place. Unfortunately October and November were not about to offer much cheer as the darker autumn evenings closed in.
Keep your eye on barnetfc.com for the next instalment of the Reckless Season Review.
