Barnet entertain York City this Saturday with the first meeting between the two clubs since Barnet’s triumphant Conference winning season of 2004/05. That season, Barnet defeated the Minstermen 4-0 at Underhill with goals from Nicky Bailey, Dwane Lee, Ismail Yakubu and Dean Sinclair. Lee’s goal was a thumping volley from outside the area. The Barnet team that day was; Tynan; Hendon, Yakubu, King, Clist; Sinclair (Batt), Bailey, Lee (Lopez), Graham; Roache (McBean), Strevens.
In the return at Bootham Crescent, York won 2-1 with Giuliano Grazioli scoring the Bees’ goal. Following that game, Barnet won the next five games in a row, which, ultimately, clinched the title and promotion to League Two.
The two clubs first met in Barnet’s first ever football league season following their first Conference success in 1991 and Barnet completed a fine double over York, winning 2-0 ay Underhill with Frank Murphy scoring a brace and then winning the away game 4-1 with two goals from Mark Carter and one apiece for Gary Bull, later to play for the Minstermen and Roger Willis. Barnet reached the play-offs that season.
The following season, 1992/93, Barnet went one better and won automatic promotion to the third tier of English football. York, who were also promoted, got revenge as they completed their own double over Barnet with a 2-0 win at Bootham Crescent and a stunning 5-1 win at Underhill, Bull scoring for Barnet.
In 1993/94, a decimated Barnet were relegated at the first attempt. The Bees grabbed a point in a 1-1 draw at York with a goal from Kelly Haag, but lost 3-1 late on in the season at Underhill, Terry Gibson scoring for the Bees.
With Barnet back in the league’s bottom tier, the next meeting was not until 1999/00 following York’s relegation to Division 3. Barnet won 6-3 at Underhill with goals from Robbie Sawyers, Greg Heald, Darren Currie, Ken Charlery, Scott McGleish and Frazer Toms. York won the return 1-0 and won by the same score at Bootham Crescent the following season. Barnet won the return at Underhill in January 2-0 with goals from Tony Richards and Player Manager, Tony Cottee. However, the Bees plummeted down the table and ended the season being relegated to the Conference. York City themselves dropped into non-league in 2004.