Nationwide Conference
Saturday 9 November 3.00pm

By Callum Williams

Barnet secured their 2nd away clean sheet of the season at Kingfield Stadium. The Bees welcomed back Lee Gledhill after a 4 game absence.

Barnet reverted to a 4.4.2 formation with Frazer Toms making his first start of the season and Jason Soloman retuned to the starting line up.

The game started in Woking’s favour and in the 5th minute after good play on the left saw a shot go just wide. But the first real chance for Woking was when the ball was crossed in from the right on to the head of big Warren Patmore whose header was blocked by a ruck of defenders. Danny Naisbitt was then called into action for the first time when he saved smartly from Jon Boardman who shot from the edge of the area.

Attack

It was then Barnet’s turn to attack when a run down the wing by Mark Gower ended with a sublime cross which found Junior Agogo unmarked at the far post but unluckily his shot hit the bar with keeper Shwan Jalal stranded. After that it was one way traffic with Ben Strevens shooting straight at Jalal. The Woking keeper was also called upon when a Mark Gower cross found the head of Greg Heald which brought a good save.

Jalal then produced a stunning fingertip save to claw away a Strevens’ header which had goal written all over it.

Second Half

The second half started much the same as the first half with Agogo having a left foot shot which just missed the post and John Doolan seeing his shot easily saved by the keeper.

At the other end, Naisbitt made a diving save from substitute David Piper who got clear of his marker at a time when Woking threatened to seize the initiative.

Then it was Jalal’s turn to rescue his side when Toms latched on to a Gower through ball only for the keeper to dive at his feet and save. Within 2 minutes Naisbitt pulled off his best save of the game to turn over a powerful header by Patmore as both sides looked to break the deadlock.

Barnet then looked the better side as Gower ran at Woking only to see his clever chip rebound off the crossbar with Jalal beaten.

Last Attempt

As a last attempt to break through, Wayne Purser was brought on for Toms but the home side held firm without really troubling Barnet in the closing stages.

Although it could be looked upon as 2 points lost the Bees did a least bring a halt to the recent run of defeats and keep a rare clean sheet.

Bookings

Barnet

38 - Ben Strevens booked for unsporting behaviour

Woking

58 - Jonathan Boardman booked for unsporting behaviour

84 - Paul Steele booked for unsporting behaviour

Squads

Barnet

Naisbitt, Gledhill, Heald, Pluck, Pope, Soloman (Yakabu 61), Doolan, Toms (Purser 77), Gower, Agogo, Strevens

Unused subs - Harrison, Niven, Midgley.

Woking

Jalal, Reeks, Smith, Boardman (Steele 67), Simpemba (Piper 45), Collins, Kember, Hamilton, Banger, Nade, Patmore

Unused Subs - Farrelly, Allman, Payne.