Barnet are still in the F.A. Cup. I can’t believe it either, but the Bees actually held Charlton to a goalless draw at Underhill. It’s a bit disappointing because now Barnet aren’t going to be on Sky Sports next Monday, but at least the Valley is a nice stadium to visit. We played them away last season in The League Cup and got thrashed 4-1, but no one cares about that competition. The F.A. Cup is special, and there are always surprises, so who knows, maybe we could be in the Second Round, who knows?
I think it was a very solid performance from Barnet yesterday. Surely it can’t be a coincidence that as soon Steve Kabba comes back from injury, we produce a fine performance against a team in a higher division. He was brilliant against Charlton, winning almost every long ball in the air and holding the play up well. After watching Paul Furlong for two years, I’m always surprised at how fast Kabba actually is. Every time he gets the ball, I expect him to try and pass the ball backwards, but instead, he is very positive and can run behind defenders well when he’s given the chance. I was sitting near the chairman Anthony Kleanthous as well as Paul Fairclough, and when Kabba was taken off and replaced by Mauro Vilhete with about half an hour of the game remaining; their faces were ones of complete bemusement.
George Francombe was also brilliant yesterday. That lad never seems to give up. When he loses the ball, he tries to win it back. It was good to hear that his loan has been extended by a month because it has been evident recently that our defence is very poor. I feel sorry for Jake Cole because he is too good for us. It’s not his fault that he’s conceded so many goals this season; although admittedly he did make two major mistakes at Shrewsbury the other week that cost us the game.
If we do end up beating Charlton, we will be playing either Corby or Luton at Underhill. Don’t worry, I’ve never heard of Corby before either, but it would be very nice to play a non-league team for once. But that is a big if. Charlton are one of the best teams in League 1 now, and with 15,000 or so fans in the stadium backing them, it’s going to be a tough ask for Kabba and Co. Maybe Izale McLeod could make his debut against his old club? I heard he might start training this week so it’s about time us fans can catch a glimpse of him. I for one am not getting my hopes up.
First things first however, the Bees have to try and cause a sting in Torquay next weekend. It’s a long trip down and one I won’t be making, but I hopefully will be reporting on the Charlton match on Tuesday week which should be a blast, (especially if we win!)