Nationwide Conference
Saturday 2 November 3.00pm

By Chris Holland

Barnet were on the wrong end of a seven goal thriller as Northwich bagged their first league victory at Underhill in over 20 years. Despite constant heavy rain both teams provided the crowd with a highly entertaining match.

It was a shame the match had to be decided by an own goal. John Doolan cruelly putting the ball past Naisbett with four minutes to go denying the Bees a share of the spoils in this end to end encounter.

One change was made to the Bees starting XI as Neil Midgley replaced Stuart Niven. The Bees took up a 3-4-1-2 formation with Gower restored to the centre of midfield. Midgley took his place on the left and Strevens started behind the front two of Agogo and Purser.

Unlucky

Barnet started brightly Gower's free kick was headed just over by Heald. Agogo hit a fierce shot from 25 yards that 19-year old Parry in the Northwich goal couldn't hold. Barnet were also unlucky when Pope had a goal bound shot deflected wide after good work from Purser. Though it was by no means all Barnet, there were early signs of the Bees defensive frailties as Naisbett did well to clear a mis-hit backpass from Doolan, and Sedgemore could have done better with a couple of efforts.

The first goal came from a well worked short corner between the impressive Richard Norris and Jake Sedgemore, the cross found John Allan in space who headed the ball to Naisbett's left and into the net. The goal seemed to knock the Bees confidence with Allan again forcing Naisbett into a save.

Equaliser

The equaliser arrived as Gower hit a diagonal ball forward to Purser, who sweetly dummied the ball, Agogo beating Parry to the ball before finishing into an unguarded net. Though the joy was short lived as Northwich regained the lead shortly before half-time. Norris ran the ball through the middle before laying the ball off to Blundell, and the Conference's leading scorer's shot was deflected past Naisbett for his 11th of the season.

Second Half

Barnet took 10 minutes to get into their stride in the second half during which Norris might have extended the Vics lead. When Barnet got going Purser hit the post from 15 yards after being fed by Agogo. Purser then returned the favour though Agogo's well struck shot was deflected wide. However, it was Northwich who extended their lead as a swift counter attack left Yakabu exposed. Kevin Street played in Allan who finished powerfully past Naisbett giving the Barnet goalkeeper no chance.

Barnet then pushed forward in search of a way back into the match and were thown a lifeline when Pope crossed from the right and Agogo dived to meet the ball, sending his header into the top corner of the net. As Barnet pressed for the equaliser Parry dropped a Strevens cross with Agogo just unable to reach the ball before the keeper.

Missed Chances

Northwich then missed a gilt edged chance after Devlin hit the post from 25 yards, with the follow up somehow hit wide of the open goal. Blundell then exposed Barnet's lack of pace at the back but could only shoot wide of the target. He was almost made to regret the miss as a delightful cross field pass from Doolan found Heald unmarked in the penalty area, his header looped into the path of Purser who was unlucky to see his headed effort comeback off the woodwork.

Barnet then levelled the match as Gower's cross from the left was controlled by Agogo before falling to Strevens who fired the ball past a helpless Parry from close range. However with two minutes Barnet were again undone as Northwich cleared a Gower free-kick on the edge of their penalty area. A swift counter attack led to a cross from the left being put past his own keeper by the unfortunate Doolan.

More Near Misses

The action was not over yet though as Pluck in attempting to lay the bay off to Toms misplaced his pass, and from near enough the right touchline Sedgemore's cross come shot glanced the crossbar with Naisbett struggling. Northwich were then denied a fifth as Naisbett produced a good save after finding himself one on one with Blundell.

An entertaining match with neither side deserving to lose. Though Barnet's defence again without three regulars, were penetrated far to easily by slick attacking and counter attacking play from Northwich. The away side proving why they have scored more away goals than any other side in the Conference.

Bees Man of the Match - Junior Agogo - Proving why he is one of the most feared strikers in the Conference.

Bookings

Barnet: Strevens (51) foul
Northwich: Allan (61) foul

Squads

Barnet

Naisbitt, Yakubu, Heald, Pluck, Pope, Gower, Doolan, Midgley (Toms 63), Agogo, Strevens, Purser.

Unused subs - Harrison, Soloman, Cashman, Niven.

Northwich Victoria

Parry, Walsh, Woodward, Ingram, Royle, Sedgemore, Devlin, Norris, Street, Blundell, Allan.

Unused subs - Connett, Quinn, Cane, Griggs, Garvey.