CLASSIC ENCOUNTER: Barnet v Bradford City 2009

Last updated : 14 September 2009 By Jaybee
Barnet entertain Bradford City on Saturday in a League Two match. Last season's match between the two sides at Underhill, in February, was a turning point in Barnet's season and, possibly for City's too.

City were placed 5th in the table in a play-off position and just two points out of the top three. Meanwhile, Barnet were 3rd from bottom, without a win so far in 2009 and only five points ahead of the drop zone. It was only the fact that the two bottom clubs, Bournemouth and Luton Town, dad suffered points deductions that the Bees were not rock bottom of the football league.

Barnet's new caretaker manager, Ian Hendon had taken over the reins at the end of 2008 following the resignation of Paul Fairclough, but despite an improvement in the team's performances, particularly in defence and some astute signings, he was still waiting for his first win as a manager. In the previous home match against fellow strugglers, Grimsby Town, the Bees had been 2-0 and 3-2 up but had to settle for a draw at the end.

Barnet started brightly against City and on three minutes, Yannick Bolasie, recently signed on loan from Plymouth had a shot on target well saved by bantams' keeper, Rhys Evans. City's Peter Thorne then shot over the bar when well placed before the home side took the lead on 24 minutes. Gary Breen played a neat pass into Albert Adomah, whose well placed shot from inside the penalty area beat Evans to give the Bees a 1-0 lead.

Four minutes from half time and Barnet went 2-0 up for the second successive match. Bolasie was fouled out on the left and Matt Lockwood, another loan player, this time from Colchester, swung in an excellent free kick which John O'Flynn got on the end of, glancing his header into the corner of the net to put Barnet 2-0 up at half time.

HT: Bees 2 Bantams 0

Barnet came out in the second half determined not to let another lead slip, but it was City who were to score the next goal, on 56 minutes, when Michael Boulding managed to bundle the ball over the line to stretch the home side's nerves.

However, the Bees response was emphatic and immediate. Only two minutes later, a cross from Albert Adomah found Paul Furlong, another loannee, from Southend, whose goalbound shot was pushed home by Bolasie. Barnet went 4-1 ahead on the hour when Joe Devera weaved his way through the away defence and scored with a forceful shot to score his first ever Bees' goal.

Barnet had chances to score again with Adomah, O'Flynn and substitute, Adam Birchall all going close, but the fans were perfectly happy with the 4-1 scoreline which took Barnet up to 20th in the table, above Chester and Grimsby Town. At last, Ian Hendon had his long awaited and deserved first win as Barnet's manager.

Barnet went on to have a good rest of the season finishing safely in 17th place. However, for City it was the start of a decline and they eventually missed out on the play-offs finishing 9th.

FT: Bees 4 Bantams 1

Barnet; Harrison; Devera, Breen, Yakubu, Lockwood; Adomah (Birchall), Deverdics, Bishop, Bolasie (Gillet); Furlong, O'Flynn (Akurang)