An off day all round as Barnet slipped to their third home defeat of the season going down 2-0 to play-off contenders Hereford United. Barnet simply did not turn up for the game and were comfortably beaten by the impressive Bulls.
The Bees started the stronger but after failing to gain an early breakthrough eased up, enabling Hereford to show the form that took them so close to promotion last time round. Barnet's downfall was down to poor performances from too many key players, something we have yet to see that often this season.
Paul Fairclough bought back his big guns back after the defeat to Carlisle last Saturday and the only absentees were the injured Ismail Yakubu, Damian Batt and Lee Roache. Ben Strevens was back on the bench as Nicky Bailey switched to the right of midfield to accommodate Dwane Lee. Anthony Charles continued alongside Simon King.
The conditions also played a part in Barnet's downfall with the blustery wind and slippery surface having a detrimental effect. This was evident in the opening six minutes and almost gave the hosts the break they craved for as Simon Clist's corner was caught by the wind and bobbled off a defender onto the crossbar. The rebound seemed to hang in the air for eternity and Liam Hatch, determined to get on the end of it could only head wide.
At the other end Mark Robinson's deflected cross fell nicely for Rob Purdie but his effort, on the turn came off Ian Hendon. The resulting corner saw Bailey almost slice into his own net with the ball going only inches over the far corner. Joe Anyinsah then had his first opportunity to demonstrate his pace and power but his shot bobbled off Charles and looped just over with Scott Tynan well beaten.
The Bees offered very little going down the slope and Bailey failed to hit the target from the one good chance created as Barnet went off the boil. Dwane Lee's storming run down the left hand side created space for the free-scoring Bailey, but when the ball was rolled across the face of the penalty area,he put it sky high. The shot summing up Barnet's afternoon and when Danny Williams broke clear to feed Danny Carey-Bertram, fate was almost sealed, and this was as early as the 34th minute.
The second half was much of the same with Hereford probably a little disappointed that they only added just the one goal with midfielder Craig Stanley missing two glorious opportunities.
Barnet started promisingly but Craig Mawson was on hand to expertly deny Richard Graham on the one and only time he was called into action. Graham, who had a very quiet afternoon and was eventually substituted, did well to find space in the penalty area to get a shot in. What made the save even more impressive from Mawson was that he managed to claw the ball away from the oncoming Giuliano Grazioli.
With Barnet committing men forward there were huge gaps left for Hereford to exploit and two bursts down the left from Carey-Bertram saw Stanley head over on both occasions with the goal gaping. Carey-Bertram then got in on the act again but his volley was put straight at Tynan.
The inevitable came in stoppage time with the game practically all but over anyway. Adam Stansfield looked about a mile offside but the linesman failed to flag and the substitute rounded Tynan with ease and finished into the empty net.
One to forget in what has been a brilliant session so far. All clubs have off days and the fact that Carlisle let squander a two-goal advantage at half-time shows again that Barnet, despite dropping points have failed to be punished. Credit must go to Hereford though who played superbly and thoroughly deserved the victory despite both goals coming from dubious decisions from the linesman.
