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Bees boss buzzing about Beadle

From the Nationwide Conference Preview, 2003/04 Week 7
Picture by Chris Holland

BARNET MANAGER Martin Allen believes he has hit the jackpot with new signing Peter Beadle.

Beadle signed from Brentford last week and made an immediate impact by scoring on his debut in last Saturday's 2-1 win at Stevenage. Despite not having seen Beadle play before the game, Allen was prepared to take a chance on the striker, who has almost 350 league games under his belt.

Allen said: 'It was like playing a blind hand at poker, and I feel like I've won the jackpot. 'He's fitted in both on and off the pitch. We've been looking for someone to lead the line and Peter did just that on Saturday. He's an excellent professional and although he's 31, I'm sure he's got five or six years left in him.'

Beadle was sent off after just 12 minutes in his only appearance for Brentford in the 4- 1 defeat to Tranmere on the opening day of the season, and some Barnet supporters have questioned his temperament. He was booked on Saturday for 'ungentle-manly conduct', but Allen refused to be drawn on the subject.

It was an Arsene Wenger situation I'm afraid. I didn't see it,' he said.

Allen was equally satisfied with the performance of on-loan West Ham keeper David Forde, who was also making his Barnet bow.

He added: 'My old West Ham mate Trevor Brooking has done me a real favour by letting us have David for three months. He made some outstanding saves in the second half, and I was really pleased with him.'

Allen is confident going into the home clash with Aldershot although he sounded a note of caution. 'Aldershot will be a tough test, and their league position suggests that they are a better side than us,' he said.