There have been some eventful matches between Barnet and Stevenage over the years, but I don’t think that there can be much doubt about the game that most Bees’ fans would judge to be the most memorable. It came early on in the 2003/04 season at Broadhall Way.
Barnet were on a good run after an indifferent start having taken 8 points from the previous four matches, while Stevenage were just a point behind the Bees in the Conference table. Stevenage were managed, as now, by Graham Westley, while Barnet had Martin Allen in charge. Allen’s new look side had been put together during the summer and like with Mark Stimson’s new side, it had a very unfamiliar look to it.
For the Stevenage game, there were two more new signings in the Barnet team. Goalkeeper, David Forde, now at Millwall, was brought in from west ham and replaced Danny Naisbitt and striker, Peter Beadle arrived from Brentford and long serving, Ben Strevens dropped to the bench. Simon King was also missing through injury and Tony Taggart replaced him at left back. At left back for Stevenage was former Bee, Lee Flynn while ex Stevenage favourite, Giuliano Grazioli was now firmly entrenched as an East Terrace hero at Underhill.
Barnet’s recent good form seemed to have gone right out of the window as they were pushed back by Borough and the home side were rewarded in the 14th minute when Barnet’s new keeper, David Forde spilled a long range shot right at the foot of Stevenage’s, Rocky Baptiste who duly punished the error by putting Borough 1-0 up. Barnet were then thankful to winger, Mark Williams for clearing two Stevenage efforts off the goal line.
Barnet were lucky to get to half time just a goal down. For the second half, captain, Ian Hendon was injured and didn’t come out. He was replaced by Mark Rooney, while Tony Taggart was replaced by Ben Strevens who slotted in on the left side of midfield, with Ismail Yakubu filling in at left back.
Whatever Martin Allen had said at half time certainly worked because Barnet looked a completely different side in the second half as the Bees took complete control of the game which was played almost totally in Stevenage’s half. Mark Williams was causing all sorts of trouble but it was Joe Gamble who set up Barnet’s equalizer just short of the hour with a meticulously played ball into the penalty area for Grazioli who saw his shot crash back off the crossbar for new boy, Peter Beadle to roll into the net past Lionel Perez on his debut.
With Ian Hendon joining in with the fans on the terrace and the Bees’ supporters drowning out the home fans, it was no surprise when Barnet scored again on 66 minutes. A fine run by Williams ended with a superb cross which substitute, Ben Strevens headed on to the post. The ball ran along the goal line for Grazioli who wasn’t going to miss from there!!
Stevenage came into the game a bit more after that but rarely threatened the visitors’ goal and Barnet ran out deserved winners in the end. It was the first in a run of five consecutive league wins. Barnet ended the season in 4th place and qualified for the play-offs, but unfortunately lost on penalties in the semi-final to Shrewsbury Town. (You can read about the play-off matches on the Barnet Mad Website, http://www.barnet-mad.co.uk/feat/edz4/heartbreak_for_the_bees_at_gay_meadow_363267/index.shtml )
Stevenage missed out on the play-offs, finishing in 8th place. The two teams that day were:
Stevenage: Perez, Travis, Flynn, Goodliffe, Laker, Cook, Carroll (Warner), Costello (Holloway), Baptiste, Watson, Elding (Richards).
Barnet: Forde, Hendon (Rooney), Taggart (Strevens), Plummer, Maddix, Williams, Hogg, Gamble, Yakubu, Grazioli, Beadle.
Att: 3019