When Izale McLeod first signed for Barnet, chairman Anthony Kleanthous said that it was potentially the biggest signing in Barnet’s history. Almost two hand a half months, and a few dodgy substitute appearances later, the former Charlton man has finally come good. On his first start for the mighty Bees, McLeod scored two goals and looked strong and fast with, of course, an eye for goal. Out of his three chances against Accrington Stanley, he scored two, and with the other one, he was denied by a brilliant save.
Supporting Barnet, you get used to seeing your team waste glorious opportunities when your attackers are seemingly through on goal. After 12 minutes, when George Francomb played a brilliant pass to McLeod who was unmarked in the penalty area, most of the Barnet fans were thinking ‘here we go again.’ But instead, a split second later, the ball was past Ian Dunbavin and the celebrations were able to start.
Also, when Barnet were able to clear an Accrington corner in first half injury time, us fans were just glad that the danger was over and that we would probably be going into the interval in the lead. No one expected, when Ricky Holmes was able to give the ball to McLeod on the half-way line, that five seconds later, we’d be celebrating a second goal. But indeed, McLeod had the pace to run the ball into Stanley’s penalty area, and was able to curl the ball into the net.
However, I’m sure most people would have said that McLeod was the man of the match against Accrington. But it was another full debutant on the pitch who got my vote for man of the match. From the first kick of the match, Sam Cox looked strong and confident and was able to get the ball to the wingers effectively. He was winning everything in the air and overall, it was an exceptional performance from the 20 year old former Spurs trainee.
Don’t get me wrong, but we were so, so lucky that Accrington Stanley were so wasteful in front of goal. Against another team, we may have lost 4-2, but we somehow managed to hang on to a clean sheet, for once. Jake Cole admittedly hasn’t been on best form this season, he’s played in every match without exception, but he of course conceded seven at Crewe, four at home to Rotherham, and was at fault for both of the goals at Shrewsbury.
Surely the Bees can’t win our second game in succession away at Port Vale on Saturday? They lie in second place in League 2 and are on good form. Our last away match Barnet won was in fact, a Port Vale in February, with both goals coming from John O’Flynn. It was great day and I for one am hoping that the Bees come back from Staffordshire with at least a point. I won’t be at Vale Park, but if you do manage to make the trip to Staffordshire, try and enjoy the game.