I nominate that game because it has to be one of the best time supporting the club when Ian picked up the Nationwide Conference trophy! And the finish to the match just made the day better a brilliant goal by Giuliano Grazioli.
Players hands i touched after the game..................
Ben Strevens
Guy Lopez
Shane Gore
Dean Sinclair
Ismail Yakubu
Richard Graham
Liam Hatch
Damien Batt
Nicky Bailey
I also got my hands on the trophy!!!!!!!
There were fireworks at Barnet's end of season celebrations as Giuliano Grazioli struck six minutes into injury time to draw 1-1 with nine-man Carlisle United.
The usually free-scoring Bees had struggled to find a way past United goalkeeper Matt Glennon who was in fine form.
They had trailed for the majority of the match, but after Carlisle had Tom Cowan and Danny Livesey sent off in the 70th minute, Barnet were able to press forward and capitalise.
Carlisle looked to have soured the taste of champagne until Grazioli somehow managed to turn the ball past Glennon in a crowded penalty area with the last kick of the match.
Magno Vieria had given Carlisle the lead in the 31st minute when he capitalised on an error by Ismail Yakubu.
The Brazilian-born striker was first to react after the Barnet centre-back only half cleared Chris Lumsdon's through ball. Vieria picked up the loose ball before lashing it past Scott Tynan in the Bees net from 25 yards.
Lumsdon thought that he had increased United's lead five minutes later when his free-kick appeared to be goalbound. But as the midfielder threw his arms in the air to celebrate, Yakubu somehow made amends for his earlier error by hacking the ball off the line.
Ironically it was the Bees who had started the better. Grazioli should have give the champions the lead in only the eighth minute but he failed to connect with Ben Strevens' tempting cross.
Richard Graham then burst into the Carlisle box before feeding Dean Sinclair but the ball got stuck under the midfielder's feet and when he did manage to muster a shot at goal it was easily saved by Glennon.
Carlisle looked to add to their tally in the second half with Peter Murphy going close.
But their chances of winning the match were handed a severe blow when Cowen received his marching orders after handling Yakubu's goalbound header.
Referee Mr Lee awarded a spot-kick that Simon Clist sent blazing over the bar.
After the miss Livesey continued to protest with Mr Lee who wasted no time in flashing the red card for the second time.
Barnet threw everything forward with Dean Sinclair and Nick Bailey going closest before Grazioli kick-started the celebrations which sent boss Paul Fairclough running on to the pitch in delight.
The second game I have selected is also very recent. Barnet 3-1 Halifax Town in 2005. The game where we won promotion and at first thinking we were going to **** it up after going 1-0 down and losing 2-0 to Northwich Victoria the week before. But with goals from Ben Strevens,Simon King and goal machine Giuliano Grazioli we were up!
Halifax, however, had clearly not read the Bees' celebration party script, as with only a point needed to secure promotion, Barnet went behind to Halifax striker Lewis Killeen's strike after 11 minutes.
Halifax were reduced to ten men just after the hour when John Grant received a straight red card for appearing to elbow Simon King.
The Bees however were stung into action and were level ten minutes before the break through Ben Strevens.
Simon King stretched the Barnet lead three minutes after the restart with a diving header, and the game was effectively over when the prolific Giuliano Grazioli buried his 28th goal of a very productive season.
Halifax in desperate need of points to ensure their own play-off spot had no intention of lying down to die. Their football was gutsy and determined, and the Yorkshire side may feel they deserved something from the game.
With their first attack of the game the visitors took the lead. Bees defender King was unable to make a routine clearance, allowing the alert Ryan Sugden a shot. Scott Tynan the Bees keeper saved low down, but he was powerless to stop Killeen following up into an empty net.
Barnet were unruffled and moved level through Strevens after a neat Grazioli lay-off and a strong mazy run from Dean Sinclair.
King scored the Bees' second of the afternoon, atoning for his early error, after some excellent approach play from Liam Hatch.
The party atmosphere was further enhanced when hitman Grazioli converted Hatch's cross from the right after some relentless Bees pressure.
"We're on our way to the football league," sung the Barnet faithful.
The Bees certainly are.
Farnborough found themselves a goal up after six minutes when Anthony Charles pulled down Robert Traynor and Jay Smith curled a wonderfully executed strike over the wall and into Scott Tynan's bottom right-hand corner.
But the early goal only seemed to spur Barnet on. In the 14th minute Grazioli pounced on a Jake Cole error to roll the ball into the empty net.
He followed it up with a delightful lob, and a side-footed finish completed his hat-trick.
In between Richard Graham hit Barnet's third to leave Farnborough totally shell-shocked at the interval.
Boro boss Neil Sillett made three changes at half-time and the risk back-fired when Cole was involved in a head-on collision with substitute Lee Roach in the 67th minute. The 19-year-old keeper had to be stretchered off.
Having used up all of their substitutes, left-back Jimmy Turner found himself between the sticks. After Tony Taggart's was sent off for two bookings Farnborough were always fighting a losing battle.
Turner was finally beaten when substitute Damien Batt drove home following good work by Roach. Roach and Dean Sinclair completed the rout late on.
Barnet took full advantage of Boro's lack of discipline which was compounded by Kevin Hemsley's late dismissal for a professional foul.
The Bees now look odds-on to achieve promotion after completing their third victory in a row. This was Farnborough's fourth defeat on the spin and they are running out of time to save their Conference place.
John Coleman's side went into the match full of confidence after stringing together five victories in a row and they secured all three points with an emphatic victory.
Lee McEvilly started the scoring with a first-half penalty, Rory Prendergast added a second on 55 minutes and late strikes from substitute Ian Craney and Paul Mullin completed the rout.
Barnet scored a late consolation goal through Giuliano Grazioli.
The scoreline could have been even greater but for the fine form of Barnet keeper Scott Tynan. The Bees shot-stopper produced fine first-half saves to deny McEvilly and Mike Flynn - the latter when he tipped over the Stanley player's powerful header.
It was Boro who were the quickest out of the blocks with leading marksman Anthony Elding and Dino Maamria having two big chances to open the scoring.
Elding's first chance came after only three minutes when he was unlucky to see his header fall over the crossbar from only ten yards out. Maamria then saw his diving header easily collected by Scott Tynan.
Barnet resorted to long ball tactics which until the 33rd minute were well dealt with by Boro's defensive pairing of Jason Goodliffe and Robert Quinn.
Giuliano Grazioli then gave the Bees the lead somewhat against the run off play.
Simon Clist's hopeful long ball was latched on to by Grazioli and with his outstretched foot was able to flick the ball past keeper Andy Woodman for his 18th goal of the season.
Boro began the second half with the same vigour with which they had started the first and they earned their equaliser when substitute Brian Quailey powered his way into the box before crossing for Simon Weatherstone to slide the ball in on 49 minutes.
Grazioli nearly added a second when his shot found at the back of the net only to see his effort ruled out for offside.
The disallowed goal count was levelled up after Quailey was denied a goal when the referee brought play back for a Stevenage free-kick when surely he would have been better to have played the advantage.
Boro were then denied a penalty when Elding was pulled down on the edge of the box by Tynan.
If Stevenage were feeling bitter, then things got worse three minutes from time when Yakubu converted Nick Bailey's corner for his third goal of the season and secured Barnet's 18th league win of the campiagn.
Conference top scorer Giuliano Grazioli netted twice and Dean Sinclair scored the other to keep the Bees firmly at the top of the table.
Barnet dominated from the start and should have been far more comfortably ahead than their one-goal advantage at the break.
Sinclair headed straight at Phil Smith when he had the whole goal to aim at before Grazioli squandered an even better chance moments later.
The former Bristol Rovers striker was left alone at the back post from a low cross by Nick Bailey but somehow managed to fire wide from two yards. Grazioli made amends for his howler on the half-hour mark with a superb strike.
Bailey curled in another perfectly flighted ball from the right and Grazioli sent his side-footed volley into the top corner of the net.
Grazioli took just two minutes of the second half to score his 16th of the season. He latched on to a throughball from Sinclair and looked to have over-run the ball before flicking out a toe to lift it over Smith.
The Reds gave themselves some hope in the 68th minute when Danny Davidson pulled one back. Ben Judge found space on the right and crossed for the giant striker to slide in to convert from close range.
However, Sinclair spectacularly rounded off the win for Barnet in the last minute when he smashed home a 20-yard volley.
Canvey Island v Barnet
Monday, 30th August 2004
Nationwide Conference
Attendance: 1230
Score: 0-1
Goals: Barnet: Sinclair (27)
With news that Shane Gore would be out for about 6 weeks, Ricky Millard continued to deputise in goal. Chris Plummer had received a knock at the weekend and was replaced by fit again, Ismail Yakubu, with Simon Clist continuing at left back.
Canvey, in their first season in the Conference, started the match unbeaten and fresh from a first win away at Exeter, two days before. However, it was Barnet who started the game the stronger with Liam Hatch, in particular, causing the Canvey defence all sorts of problems. Hatch had a couple of clear chances which he might have done better with and Dwane Lee sent Canvey keeper, Potter, sprawling across the goal to keep out a speculative shot.
Barnet were well in control and just before the half hour, Dean Sinclair, finding space on the right hand side of the penalty area, jinked past two defenders before unleashing a terrific shot past a despairing Potter to put the Bees a goal up.
Canvey created few problems for Barnet though Ricky Millard had to make a fine tip-over save following a long shot from Chris Duffy. At the other end an out of sorts Ben Strevens, got around the back of the Canvey defence and crossed for Guiliano Grazioli, only for the Bees’ top scorer to head wide when well placed.
Half Time: 0-1
After controlling most of the first half, Barnet seemed happy to play a game of containment in the second, letting Canvey Island have most of the possession. Despite this, Barnet had the better of the chances, Potter foiling Grazioli twice, the first time with a fine save, tipping Graz’s close-in shot over the bar.
Canvey rarely threatened for all their possession, with the central defence of Simon King and Ismail Yakubu dealing with most of anything Canvey threw at them and stifling Canvey’s high scoring striker, Lee Boylan, who limped off late in the game. On the rare occasions when Canvey did break through on the right, they were foiled by a sublime performance at left back by Simon Clist, who impressed the Bees’ fans with his tackling, heading and fine distribution.
However, Barnet almost let their lead slip, a few minutes from the end when Ricky Millard had to make an excellent save following a close-in header from former Barnet trialist, Ben Sedgemore. A few nerve wracking minutes followed
as time added on seemed to go on for ever for the Bees’ fans. At the end Barnet’s third win on the trot and their fourth in five games, meant that they ended the day top of the Conference following Dagenham & Redbridge’s defeat at Crawley Town.
Bees Man of the Match: Simon Clist
Teams:
Canvey Island: Potter, Joseph, Smith (Cowan 64), Chenery, Gooden (McDougald 76), Duffy, McGhee, Kennedy, Sedgemore, Gregory, Boylan (Berquez 85).
Barnet: Millard, Hendon, Yakubu, King, Clist, Strevens, Sinclair (Lopez 90), Lee, Graham, Grazioli, Hatch.
Now its only right to start a Play off with the First leg. I know we have been going from most recent in this article but if we started with the first leg of this play-off it would be well a bit ****. Barnet 2-1 Shrewsbury a great game for Barnet fans! A Ben Strevens penalty and a goal by Simon Clist with seconds to play. We thought we were already in Stoke.................................
Barnet take a one-goal advantage into Monday's play-off semi-final at Gay Meadow thanks to a last-gasp winner from Simon Clist.
It was an inspired substitution by Barnet's Paul Fairclough who brought Clist on as a late replacement.
He said: "I felt I needed to make a change, sometimes it comes off. Shrewsbury had a magnificent first half, but we doubled our passion in the second and it was a superb performance."His opposite number Jimmy Quinn was left rueing his side's missed chances but Quinn is confident that the Shrews can turn the tie around.
He said: "I'm very disappointed by the way we conceded the late goal, but we are at home on Monday and there will be 8,000 people cheering for us at Gay Meadow and if we score it will be all to play for."It was Barnet who took the lead in somewhat controversial fashion. Liam Hatch looked to be chasing a lost cause with goalkeeper Scott Howie looking favourite to collect the overhit pass, but Hatch managed to make up ground and poked the ball past Howie.
The keeper made the slightest connection with the striker who tumbled to the ground and referee Mr Green had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Ben Strevens converted the spot-kick for his eleventh goal of the season. It proved to be Barnet's only shot of the half as a rampant Shrewsbury laid siege on Barnet's goal only to be denied by some excellent defending by Danny Maddix and Ian Hendon.
The Shrewsbury onslaught was relentless and an equaliser was inevitable. On 37 minutes a goal looked certain as Ryan Lowe crossed for Duane Darby, whose header from three yards looked goalbound but Shane Gore produced an excellent save to keep the ball out of the net.
Three minutes before half-time Shrewsbury were level and it was no less than they deserved. Sam Aiston burst into the Barnet penalty box before unleashing a 20-yard shot which struck Joe Gamble's hand.
Mr Green pointed to the spot for the second time in the evening and Luke Rodgers took responsibility, firing the ball high into the net.
The Bees steadied themselves in the second period and Maddix nearly restored the lead, but his header from three yards sailed over the crossbar.
Barnet did put the ball in the net through Chris Plummer, but his effort was ruled out for a foul.
The game then descended into a succession of ugly tackles with Jamie Tolley, Maddix, Darby and Hendon all receiving bookings.
Then in the third minute of added time, second-half substitute Clist steered in Ismail Yakubu's pass with virtually the last touch of the game.
Now the second leg. We have never been in a game where we were ahead after a second. As you know we didn't go to Stoke so i will let you find out the result............
After levelling the aggregate scores with a penalty kick shortly before half-time, Shrewsbury Town finally won this epic Conference play-off semi-final encounter on penalties - winning a spot-kick shootout against plucky Barnet 5-3.
While a Luke Rodgers spot-kick was the only goal in 120 minutes of play - levelling the scores after Barnet won 2-1 at Underhill on Thursday evening - neither side then missed with any of their first three penalties.
Colin Cramb then netted to give Shrewsbury a 4-3 advantage and with the pressure becoming almost unbearable, substitute Simon Clist stepped forward to take the visitors fourth kick - only to see his effort superbly saved by Shrews'keeper Scot Howie.
Shrewsbury full-back Darren Moss emerged to take Town's fifth penalty - which he duly scored to ensure a play-off final meeting for Jimmy Quinn's men against Aldershot at Stoke City's Britannia Stadium.
It was cruel luck for Barnet who finished the 120 minutes the stronger of two very tired teams.
Shrewsbury, however, had begun the match at full throttle, quickly seeking to overturn the first leg deficit. Rodgers and strike-partner Duane Darby had both brought fine saves from impressive Barnet goalkeeper Shane Gore, who further distinguished himself with a superb diving stop to thwart a Rodgers free-kick in the 41st minute.
But the ensuing corner was handled in the box by Liam Hatch and referee Pollock had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot, allowing Rodgers to smash home the spot-kick.
Despite Shrewsbury going close on a number of occasions in the second half and right at the end of the first period of extra-time, when Gore saved brilliantly from Jamie Tolley, there was to be no further scoring until the penalty shootout.
Jake Sedgemore, Tolley and Rodgers scored for Shrewsbury while, Ben Strevens Giuliano Grazioli and Ismail Yakubu did likewise for Barnet.
But after Cramb put Shrewsbury ahead 4-3, Howie's heroics denied Clist - with Moss taking the Gay Meadow side ever closer to an immediate return to the Football League.
Ok down to the last two matches. And now having seen the play offs I want to show you a little bit about how we got there. This was the last game of the season against Leigh RMI where we needed to come from behind to confirm our place in the Nationwide Conference play offs.
Barnet 2-1 Leigh RMI
Barnet secured a place in the play-offs against Shrewsbury after defeating already relegated Leigh RMI 2-1.
In an incredible one-sided affair at Underhill, Barnet could have totalled up a score running into double figures but Leigh's goalkeeper Ian Martin was in fine form.
The victory leaves Barnet captain Ian Hendon confident that his side can achieve a place in Division Three.
He said: "No disrespect to Leigh but we set out our stall from the start and we carried it out til the end.
"On another day it could have been six or seven. We've played like that for the last six or seven games and I'm confident we can reach the next division."It did not start well for the Bees after only six minutes David McNiven converted from the penalty spot after Tristram Whitman was fouled in the area.
Referee Mr Lewis' decision looked harsh but the former Hamilton and Oldham striker made no mistake with a venomous strike straight down the middle.
After that it was all one-way traffic as Barnet pressed for the equaliser.
Giuliano Grazioli had a chance to level the score when he was put through on goal with only Martin to beat but the striker's shot was saved by the former Coleraine stopper with his legs.
After 13 minutes Grazioli had another great chance after a slip by Gavin Ellison presented him with another one-on-one opportunity.
The goalkeeper's legs again came to Leigh's rescue and Grazioli's follow up was then cleared off the line by Martin Lancaster.
On 16 minutes Barnet got an equaliser and it was no less than they deserved. Ismail Yakabu connected well with Jo Gamble's free-kick to power his header past Martin.
Chances continued to fall Barnet's way. Liam Hatch's shot was saved by Martin and then Hatch again missed a golden opportunity when he fired into the stands from only two yards out.
Barnet continued to test Martin's mettle. In the 56th minute Grazioli latched onto a long ball but squeezed his shot wide of the post. Two minutes later, the striker made no mistake.
Shane Gore's goal-kick was flicked on by Hatch and Grazioli slipped his marker to score his 24th goal of the season with a low shot under Martin.
The Railwaymen looked to bolster their defence with the introduction of Liam Coyne but his appearance lasted only eight minutes.
Coyne received a straight red card after deliberately hand-balling Grazioli's goal bound shot on the line.
Hendon stepped up to take the spot kick but Martin produced a stunning right-handed save to turn the ball away for a corner.
Now to the last game in this classic match article. I'm sure I missed alot of games but maybe we will look at them at a later date. This was a game with wild celebrations, the best thing Greg Pearson ever did at this club and keeping the play off dream alive.........
Barnet supporters enjoyed a day in the sun at Underhill as their team came from behind to record a 2-1 win over Burton Albion.
With Exeter losing, this result took the Bees into the fourth and final play-off spot. Goals for sub Liam Hatch and captain Ian Hendon and a second half of almost constant Barnet pressure led boss Paul Fairclough to describe his players as "emotional, spritual and physical warriors."The home team had trailed at half time to Robbie Talbot's clinical finish collecting player-manager Nigel Clough's throughball in the 30th minute. The striker carried the ball into the box before unleashing a left-foot drive from 15 yards that went in off the right post.
Barnet had more of the ball but rarely looked like making a breakthrough and with Burton adopting a defensive 5-3-2 formation they struggled to create openings.
Their one chance fell to the tidy Guy Lopez when the ball broke free after Hatch had forced his way into the penalty area but the midfielder's shot was softly hit.
Hatch was a constant threat after coming on in the 33rd minute, his performance all the more impressive considering he was on crutches just a week ago with an ankle injury.
Burton created the early chances with Terry Henshaw providing the energy and Clough the skill. Barnet were thankful to the impressive Matthew Redmile for clearing off the line from the lively Andrew Ducros after his mazy run and shot.
Sadly for the Brewers they could not keep that level of tempo going in the second half and Hatch got the equaliser when he headed Joe Gamble's corner in from close range.
A Barnet winner was on the cards with Burton defending too deep and it came three minutes from time when Brewers captain Darren Stride pushed sub Gregory Pearson in the area and Hendon thumped in the resulting penalty.
Fairclough added: "It was all about mental strength today. We have had to go through an emotional rollercoaster in the last few weeks and the players have shown tremendous mental strength."
Result:Barnet 2-1 Burton