A look back at season 2008/09

Barnet entered April 7 points clear of Chester City, who were in 23^rd place and with a game in hand. Barnet were placed 20^th. The first match of the month was a daunting trip to promotion chasing, Gillingham who had four ex-Bees in their side. However, it was the current Bees who came out on top with a superb performance, completely outplaying the Gills and comprehensively winning 2-0 with goals from Paul Furlong and John O'Flynn from the penalty spot. It was the Irishman's 18^th goal of the season. It was also Barnet's first away win since Christmas and their first under Ian Hendon's management. It was Matt Lockwood's last game for the Bees as his loan period expired and he was recalled to Colchester.

Next up was another difficult match, this time at home to in form side, Rotherham. Barnet made it two wins on the spin, winning 2-0 with both goals scored by Paul Furlong. Unfortunately, John O'Flynn was injured in this match and missed the rest of the season. The two wins took Barnet up to 18^th and they were now 10 points clear of the relegation zone. A win on the Saturday at home to Bournemouth and defeat for Chester, who were still in 23^rd place, would mean that Barnet were mathematically safe from relegation.

Bournemouth were one of the three sides to have suffered points deductions at the start of the season and were still involved in the relegation struggle themselves but had been in good form recently. However, a Paul Furlong goal, his 200^th of his career gave the Bees their third win in a row for the first time that season and with Chester duly losing they were safe. Ian Hendon had successfully completed his mandate of keeping Barnet up and maintaining their league status.

The win took Barnet up to 17^th in the table, a position in which they were to remain despite a disappointing end to the season which saw them take just two points from the last four matches. They drew 1-1 at Aldershot on Easter Monday with Michael Leary scoring for the Bees. Jake Cole played his last game in goal as his loan period expired and he returned to QPR. Next up was a home game against already relegated Luton Town which ended 1-1, Adam Birchall scored for Barnet and Paul Furlong missed a penalty against his old club.

The last two matches ended in defeat. First the Bees lost 2-1 at Macclesfield. Albert Adomah scored the Bees goal in a match that Barnet should have got something out of and which angered Ian Hendon who wanted the Bees to end the season with a flourish. Yannick Bolasie returned to Plymouth as his loan had expired. Max Porter was told that he would be released at the end of the season.

The last match of the season was a home game with Port Vale. The Barnet side contained a number of players who were being given the chance to show Hendon that they might be worth keeping on at the end of the season. Sadly, there was little sign of this as Barnet lost 2-1. Danny Hart was an exception with a bright display and his first goal for the Bees, a rocket shot virtually bang on full time. On loan, Arsenal youngster, Abu Ogogo gave away a penalty and was sent off in his last game for the club.

As it transpired, Michael Leary, Adam Birchall, Nicky Nicolau and Ran Kadoch were all released at the end of the season. Neal Bishop turned down the offer of a new one year contract and joined Notts County. Mark Hughes, though, accepted the offer of a new one year contract.

A season that started with claims of play-off places and promotion that then went so badly wrong had ended brightly with Barnet securing their league two place and playing some exiting football into the bargain. Ian Hendon was confirmed as Barnet's new full time manager having shown that he could get a positive response from his existing players and that he could deal successfully in the transfer market, playing the loans game particularly well. It all augers well for the new season as Barnet fans await the arrival of new heroes with renewed confidence.