Barnet’s goal of reaching a Wembley final have been dashed, due to a poor 3-1 defeat at the hands of ten man Southend United at Underhill. Mark Stimson was hoping that the Bees could impress in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, but a couple of Clovis Kamdjo errors dashed his aspirations of going to the national stadium for the first time since he led Gillingham there in the 2009 Playoff Final.
The away side brought a large number of fans from Essex and the travelling contingent almost witnessed their team take the lead as early as the 9th minute, but Matthew Patterson’s drilled shot was comfortably saved by Jake Cole. Jake Cole was Barnet’s stand in captain for the game as Anwar Uddin was once again left on the bench; whilst Glen Southam, who picked up a facial injury on Saturday against Hereford, was forced to sit this one out.
Southend’s first goal came in the 22nd minute. After some neat play down the right wing by the Shrimpers, Matthew Patterson was allowed time and space in the area which lead to him beautifully firing the ball past Cole and into the net. Just a matter of minutes after the goal, Southend almost doubled the lead from Ryan Hall, whose well struck free kick rattled the woodwork.
The beginning of the second half started in Barnet’s favour, when Southend were reduced to ten men. A challenge by Bilel Mohsni on substitute Mauro Vilhete, who came off the bench for Charlie Taylor at half time, resulted in Phil Walsh trying to stick up for his 17 year old team-mate. However, instead of just exchanging a few quiet words with each other, Mohsni inexplicably shoved Walsh in an aggressive manner, leading to the Tunisian getting a straight red card for his actions. For his part in the incident, Phil Walsh can perhaps count himself lucky that he only picked up a yellow card. It could have got much worse for the side from Roots Hall from the resulting free kick, but Jordan Parkes’s effort was weak and easily gathered by Southend goalkeeper Rhys Evans.
Just as the Bees looked certain to go on and get a goal themselves, it was there opponents who capitalized on a catastrophic defensive error. A long, hopeful punt downfield from a Southend defender lead to Clovis Kamdjo trying to Shepard the ball back to Jake Cole. The Cameroonian centre back in hindsight should have cleared the ball for a throw-in, but instead allowed Matt Patterson to nip in and lob the ball over Cole who could only get fingertips onto the effort before it horribly bounced into the goal.
With 11 minutes remaining, Barnet did grab a consolation goal and it came from a set piece. A corner from the left touch line allowed Vilhete to flick the ball into the top right hand side of the goal with his head. It was a great moment for the teenager, who has lived near Underhill all his life; and grabbing his first goal in professional football.
However, Southend managed to confirm there place in the next round of the competition, and it came from a former Barnet player. The Bees were pressing for an equalizer, when Louie Soares received the ball in his own half, eventually resulting in a shot taking a huge deflection of Clovis Kamdjo before sailing into the goal past an out of form goalkeeper.
Next for Barnet, is another home game on Saturday. Peter Taylor’s Bradford City side are the visitors and they currently lye second from bottom in League 2, so the Bantam’s will be raring to get their season back on track after a series of bad results.
Man of the Match: Matthew Paterson
Bees Man of the Match: Mauro Vilhete