CLASSIC ENCOUNTER: Barnet v Chesterfield 2000/01
Last updated : 26 October 2009 By Jaybee
Before Barnet were relegated to the Conference, the Bees met Chesterfield at Underhill in February 2001. Chesterfield were the league leaders at the time and Barnet, having looked like play-off contenders earlier in the season, were in freefall, dropping alarmingly down the table towards the relegation zone. Barnet were, of course, relegated to the Conference at the end of the season. Chesterfield were promoted in 3rd place.
Chesterfield started brightly and striker, Luke Beckett, was only just wide after 30 seconds when he headed a fraction wide of the post. In the 3rd minute, the Spireites were awarded a controversial penalty, when a Marcus Ebdon cross was chested down by Bees' centre back, Mark Arber, but the referee said that he had handled it. David Reece beat Barnet keeper, Lee Harrison from the penalty spot.
Chesterfield nearly went 2-0 up when Jamie Ingledon shot just wide of the post. Barnet then came more into the game and Tony Cottee was put through by Mark Gower but he failed to test the Chesterfield keeper, Mike Pollitt.
Barnet continued to push for an equaliser and Mark Arber nearly scored with a header that drifted just wide and soon after there was a terrific goalmouth scramble, but no Barnet player could touch the ball home.
Barnet finally equalised after 65 minutes following a Danny Brown corner. Bees' skipper, Greg Heald, headed the ball back across the penalty area for Arber to score with a spectacular overhead kick.
Darren Currie almost won all three points for Barnet with a stunning drive from 25 yards only to see Pollitt tip it over the bar.
The Barnet side that day was; Harrison, Stockley, Flynn, Heald, Arber, Goodhind, Gower (Currie 78), Brown, Cottee, Niven, Richards. Subs not used: Naisbitt, Sawyers, Basham, Bell.
The attendance was 2,372.
