Nationwide Conference
Saturday, 8 March 3:00pm

By Chris Holland

A total collapse in the last quarter of the game saw Barnet gift three points to relegation strugglers Stevenage Borough.

Stevenage had created nothing in the second half before Agogo was forced off with what looked like an ankle problem. With no forward outlet Barnet attacks were easily blunted, though this was not helped by the team suddenly becoming incapable of passing the ball.

This increased the pressure on the defence and Maamria somehow bundled in the first with the unfortunate Naisbett almost keeping the ball out. Slack marking allowed Maamria, the Barnet nemesis to score again, prodding the ball past Naisbett from close range.

The first half was frantic with both sides looking for victory, Barnet seeking to avenge last years humiliation and Stevenage to give themselves a chance of survival. Both sides created a number of openings though the finishing touch was lacking.

For Barnet, Agogo had three efforts from outside of the area that Westhead in the Borough goal saw fly just wide. For Stevenage, Danny Carroll's far post header was acrobatically stopped by Naisbett and a long range looping header from Maamria somewhat fortuitously hit the top of the bar.

Stevenage created the better of the chances, Maamria and Carroll gettting in each other's way when well placed following Wormull's left wing cross. Ex-Boston player Anthony Elding then missed the best chance of the half as Holloway crossed, Maamria swung his leg and the ball fell to Elding inside the six-yard box who with time and space fired the ball straight as Naisbett.

Second Half

In the second half Barnet took control and Wayne Purser's goalbound overhead kick was deflected wide. Purser and Agogo then combined before Agogo picked out Purser who stabbed the ball agonisingly wide. Greg Heald then went close following a Gower cross

Wayne Purser almost ended his recent goal drought when put through by Mark Gower; he chipped the ball over the advancing Westhead only to see the ball again go agonisingly wide. A few minutes later Westhead made a goal saving interception clawing Gower's cross away from the advancing Yakabu. Barnet then lost Agogo in what turned out to be the pivotal part of the game.

Stevenage were immediately more threatening, Wormull firing over and substitute Justin Richards broke through only to be denied by the advancing Naisbett. Before in the last ten minutes Maamria's two late goals gave the points to Stevenage and the score a slightly lop-sided feel.

This was a game where Stevenage needed the three points more than Barnet and in the end they got them. For Graham Westley and many former Farnborough players this was a double over Barnet.

With three points from four games, Barnet may be glad to see the back of Borough should they go down. Perhaps the most worrying aspect of the game for Barnet was proved in the last quarter of the game, as this clearly emphasised a growing dependency on Agogo.

Man of the Match

Neil Midgley - Tireless running.

Bookings

Barnet

F.Toms, 38, unsporting behaviour
L.Pluck, 58, dissent

Stevenage

No bookings

Teams

Barnet

D.Naisbitt, L.Flynn, I.Yakabu, G.Heald, L.Pluck, N.Midgley, J.Doolan, M.Gower, F.Toms (L.Baimass 83), J.Agogo (K.Rowland 71), W.Purser

Unused Subs: Williams, B.Wiper, R.Millard

Stevenage

M.Westhead, B.Laker, S.Travis, M.Warner, J.Goodliffe, D.Carroll, G.Holloway (J.Cook 75), S.Wormull (S.McMahon 84), S.Watson, A.Elding (J.Richards 70), D.Maamria

Unused substitutes: N.Bunce, L.Perez

Other Reports

BBC
The Conference
Nationwide Conference
Boro Guide (Unofficial Stevenage site - not expected to be up until late Saturday)

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