Nationwide Conference
29 November 2003

By Callum Williams

BARNET'S first-ever trip to Accrington Stanley ended in disappointment when they were sunk by a second-half double from home skipper Paul Mullin.

On a wet and windswept afternoon, it was probably fair to say that the Bees created just as many goal-scoring chances against a team with an historic footballing name and immortalised in a milk advertising campaign.

But, the finishing of Mullin proved decisive after Barnet had defended stoutly with the strong wind against them in a goalless first half in which they even managed to mount some dangerous attacks of their own.

With the wind and slope in their favour in the second period, it only seemed a matter of time before the Bees would take the game by the scruff of the neck and go on to secure victory.

Second Half

But they were rocked back on their heels two minutes after the break when a spell of Accrington pressure brought a couple of dangerous corners, which ended with Mullin grabbing his first goal.

Despite this setback, there seemed plenty of time for Barnet to come back and get something out of the game. However, their chances were effectively killed off after 61 minutes when Mullin was allowed to turn on the edge of the penalty area and hook the ball high over stranded Bees' keeper Shane Gore.

Barnet boss Martin Allen made some changes and his side threw caution to the wind in a bid to pull the game round, but it was not to be.

Ben Strevens forced a scrambling save from the Accrington keeper, Chris Plummer headed over from one of a series of Barnet free-kicks and Ismail Yakubu probably should have made more from a header 10 yards out.

When substitute Guy Lopez had his goalbound effort blocked by an outstretched Accrington boot, it became apparent that it was not going to be Barnet's day.

Accrington, who are handily placed in eighth place in the Conference table, always looked dangerous on the break with the pacy Rory Prendergast always proving a handful.

Although the defeat was a setback for the Bees, several other results went in their favour and they were able to cling on to the coat-tails of the leading two.

Quotes from the manager

"I think we had more chances in the game but we didn't manage to convert our opportunities," he said.

"But I am happy with where we are now at the halfway point of the season, and I hope our fans are too."

Match Photos

Twenty five photos of the game by Chris Holland.

Bookings

Barnet

L.Hogg, 58, unsporting behaviour
M.Williams, 90, unsporting behaviour

Accrington Stanley

G.Brannan, 49, unsporting behaviour
S.Halford, 70, unsporting behaviour

Referee: Gate, S

Teams

Barnet

S.Gore, I.Hendon, S.King, C.Plummer, M.Rooney, I.Yakabu (T.Taggart 75), J.Gamble, L.Hogg (G.Lopez 68), B.Strevens, G.Grazioli, L.Hatch (M.Williams 62)

Unused substitutes: L.Roach, R.Millard

Accrington Stanley

J.Speare, S.Halford, J.Smith, P.Howarth, G.Brannan, A.Proctor, P.Mullin, R.Prendergast, G.Armstrong, A.Gouck, L.James

Unused substitutes: S.Flitcroft, J.Durnin, L.Madin, D.Calcutt, J.Kennedy

Other Reports

Cartoons by James
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