Barnet v Chesterfield match report

Last updated : 26 March 2011 By Adam Hern

It was Martin Allen's first match since rejoining the Bees earlier in the week, and he started with two of his new, loan signings, Sam Walker in goal, and Jude Sterling in midfield.

Indeed it was the latter Sterling, who caused problems for Chesterfield throughout the match with his long throws. With 10 minutes on the clock, he managed to drive one in with pace and power, and it was met my Joe Devera's head, only for Tommy Lee to make a comfortable save.

After 21 minutes played, the away side's first real opportunity, produced the first goal of the match. Against the run of play, the ball was kicked long by a defender, and it bounced over the head of Clovis Kamdjo to Craig Davies and despite his shot being saved by Walker, the ball was spilled directly into the path of Deane Smalley who had the simple task of slotting the ball into the roof of the net.

Chesterfield almost got a second goal soon afterwards. A long kick from Tommy Lee was flicked on brilliantly by the head of Davies to Dean Morgan, who from 12 yards out, stroked the ball just wide of the net.

In all honesty, it was a very scrappy first half, and there was only one more notable chance that this time, went in favour of Barnet. Another Sterling throw-in, this time fell for Kamdjo, but again, Tommy Lee was equal to the effort.

At the interval, Martin Allen made a, what turned out to be inspired substitution, bringing on Sam Deering in place of Tommy Fraser. At the time, surely no one would have been able to guess what kind of impact the midfielder on loan for Oxford United, would eventually have.

But before that, 27 seconds after the restart, Chesterfield doubled the advantage. Jordan Parkes was unable to clear the ball on the edge of his own penalty area, and he gave the ball straight to Craig Davies, who brilliantly curled a superb shot into the top left hand corner of the goal.

However, the Bees refused to sit back and give up, and pulled a goal back 6 minutes later. Substitute Deering brought the ball down expertly with his chest, and on the half volley, unleashed a dipping drive which nicely nestled into the top corner, with Tommy Lee diving in despair.

From that moment forward, most of the possession and chances were created by the Bees. Chances including a Rossi Jarvis free kick sailed over minutes after the goal, and that was soon followed by a chance for Steve Kabba, whose shot whisked wide of the goal.

The clock started to rapidly tick down and the game began to get a bit feisty, but the referee rightly allowed things to settle down without producing any cards.

Chesterfield should have had the game wrapped up on 88 minutes when veteran Chesterfield legend Jack Lester set Craig Davies through on goal again, but somehow, on a one on one situation, his shot was weak, and somehow well wide of Walker's goal.

When Charlie Stimson was put on, it meant that the Bees had four strikers on the pitch, Steve Kabba, Izale McLeod, fellow substitute Jake Midson, and Stimson. It was the young striker who came ever so close to scoring an equaliser, but his dipping shot was tipped over by Lee, with the ball dropping agonisingly on the roof of the net on 89 minutes.

7 minutes of injury time were put up by the fourth official, and amazingly, in the 4th minute of this period, Deering scored his second goal in bizarre circumstances. The ball was seemingly under his feet next to the corner flag, but somehow managed to get enough contact on the ball, before it crept into the net past Lee who stood in desperation as the Bees celebrated in joy.

When the final whistle went, it was actually Barnet who seemed disappointed with the result, as they even ended the match searching for a winning goal.

Despite Stockport getting a surprise win at home against Southend United, the Bees remain second bottom. Next up for Martin Allen's side, is a trip to Burton Albion, who are one place ahead of Barnet, despite the Bees having currently played 5 games more.

Bees Man of the Match: Sam Deering (Despite being a halftime substitute)