Everyone at Underhill yesterday, must have wondered how on earth Barnet failed to win and claim all three points at home to Port Vale. Barnet gave a far better performance than at home to Hereford last weekend and were desperately unlucky not to beat Vale for the first time.
Manager, Ian Hendon made two changes from the side that drew against Hereford, bringing in Albert Jarrett on the left, while Yannick Bolasie moved to the right wing and Albert Adomah dropped to the bench. Daniel Leach came in at centre back alongside Ismail Yakubu in place of the injured Clovis Kamdjo.
Barnet began the match in a way that showed they wanted to put last Saturday’s poor performance behind them. Albert Jarrett and John O’Flynn both had shots early on, but it was Vale who nearly scored, Jake Cole having to do well to block Louis Dodds’ shot after the Vale midfield player had been played into the box.
Barnet almost scored when a fine header by Ismail Yakubu crashed back off of the crossbar. Despite the home side’s pressure they just could not make their dominance pay and Vale were able to hold out until half time. Midway through the half, Yannick Bolasie was booked in controversial circumstances after being brought down, the referee accusing him of diving. Late in the half, John O'Flynn came very close to scoring but his fine shot brought out a fine one handed save by Martin in the Vale goal.
HT: Bees 0 Vale 0
Barnet carried on where they left off in the first half and Vale did not really present a threat to the Bees’ defence except for a few corners. Barnet created a number of chances again in this half with John O’Flynn and substitute, Jake Hyde going close but just could not turn their pressure into goals and Vale held on for what was, given the way the game went, u somewhat fortunate point. Right at the end of the game, Vale had captain, Tommy Fraser sent off for an awful challenge on Ahmed Deen.
For the Bees, it was very disappointing to drop two more points following the draw at home to Hereford last Saturday. Obviously, the hope was that Barnet could have taken all six points from these two homes games to cement their place at the top end of the table. On the positive side, Barnet were in 8th place before the two games and haven’t dropped down the table despite only taking two points out of the three league games.
However, it was a much improved performance and though the result was disappointing, probably the best team performance since the 3-0 win at home to Grimsby Town. The skeleton back four were very solid, backed up by a fine performance from Jake Cole, even though he had little to do. Both the wingers created opportunities and Mark Hughes was excellent in midfield.
Where the side was lacking, and has been for a little while now, was up front where there was no real cutting edge and too much seems to depend on O’Flynn with Furlong going through a barren period at the moment. There is also a lack of creativity in midfield and many fans feel that Nicky Deverdics deserves a run in the side in place of Micah Hyde.
Barnet Mad, Bees Man of the Match: Mark Hughes.
FT: Barnet 0 Vale 0
Barnet: Cole; Deen. Yakubu, Leach, Gillet; Bolasie (Adomah 73), Hughes, M Hyde, Jarrett; Furlong (J Hyde 73), O’Flynn.
Port Vale: Martin: McCombe, Collins, Owen, Taylor (Haldane 60); Griffith, Loft (Jarrett 60), Fraser, Dodds (Glover 78); Richards, Taylor.
Att: 1939