Arising From the Ashes Part 2

By: Andrew Doherty
Date: 25/11/2007

THE pattern of the first half was repeated, with more frenetic running from Barnet. Town meanwhile defended resolutely and were passing the ball well to get forward. North slipped the ball through to Bore, who came on at half-time to replace Till, but the angle was too tight.

Town’s control and passing was superior to Barnet’s. On 59, North once again set up Bore who miscued. Town were starting to build attacks and create chances, and on 61 Newey got a head high cross in which evaded everyone. Loanee Hird showed skill in defence, intercepting and beating the Barnet player before being flattened, and the resultant free-kick resulted in the ball being worked upfield, and havoc in the Barnet box. Bore and North linked up again, but offside was given.

North was then taken off on 64 and received deserved rapturous applause. Taylor was his replacement and immediately got involved. Town continued to maintain attacks, while Barnet were still flying upfield and blasting in shots where possible. On 72, more good play, this time between Jones and Taylor, seemed to result in the ball running up the arm of the Barnet defender inside the box, but all that came of it was a corner, which led to nothing. On 75, Montgomery made yet another good low save, before Taylor profited from another Barnet error but angled his shot wide. He could have done better. Montgomery made another good save in the Town goal, before on 78 a rare defensive mistake gave Birchall the ball, but his snap shot went high and wide.

After a high cross on 80, mayhem ensued in the Barnet defence and Hunt took a creditable shot which came off a defender’s legs and rolled wide for a corner. Barnet pressed on but Town were more impressive. Taylor broke away again on 85 after an interception, but failed to finish.

On 88, it was Jones’s turn to dispossess the defender on the right. He found Taylor with a short pass, who decided that the angle was too tight and pushed the ball back for a shot. With the defence homing in on the ball, a pass was made to the unmarked Taylor who had a clear shot and made no mistake, driving the ball from 10 yards out under the goalkeeper. Barnet 0, Grimsby 3. This was a superb team goal. Nothing less than sporting poetry. Very little time remained, but in it Rankin came on for Taylor and Montgomery made yet another excellent save. Barnet finished the game on the attack. Symbolically the Barnet attacker fell over as the whistle blew for full time. Barnet 0, Grimsby 3.

Verdict. Well Humbo, you were right. What was impressive was that whilst in the first half, Town went 2 - 0 up, thanks largely to having the advantage of greater organisation and a fantastic solo goal, in the second they were by far the better side. They did not try to hang on to the lead. Every attack was dangerous and the support play was superb. The formation worked. Town players seemed to be everywhere. Barnet stuck to their open game and as last season at the same venue, allowed us to play. Unlike ours, their passing was inconsistent, and when they did break away, they met with a determined defence. Strength was everywhere and for that reason nominating a Man of the Match is very difficult. I witnessed super performances from Fenton, Jones, Toner and North while Montgomery in goal was flawless. The loan players Atkinson and Hird added endeavour and skill. The person who pulled us out of the fire and engineered a display of magical proportions was our manager and supremo Alan Buckley. He’s my Man of the Match. Make no mistake, this was a 5 star performance, especially in the second half. More, please.

"But they're 22nd in the table", I overheard a Barnet supporter tell his mate in a tone of incredulity as we walked out of the ground. Not now we're not. And we won't be if we play like this ....

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