Nationwide Conference
20 September 2003

By Callum Williams

Giuliano Grazioli's 10th goal of the season settled this games between the sides lying fourth and fifth in the Conference table.

Barnet, who started the game without inspiration captain Ian Hendon, who was still feeling the effects of a back problem, got off to the perfect start when Ben Strevens slotted home after two minutes.

Mark Williams delivered the cross which Aldershot keeper Nikki Bull, under pressure from Peter Beadle, only half punched away and Strevens was on hand to pounce for his second goal of the season.

Barnet had most of the first half play, but had few clear sights of goal and probably should have found themselves pegged back after 42 minutes when Aldershot's Fiston Manuella was guilty of a glaring miss following a terrific scramble in the Bees goalmouth.

Second Half

Goalkeeper Bull, who was injured in a collision with Grazioli just before half-time, did not resume after the break and was replaced by Richard Barnard, who was soon in action, saving comfortably from Grazioli.

Joe Gamble and Lewis Hogg were both off target with efforts for Barnet in a frenetic spell of pressure, during which Barnard also produced a great one-handed save from Hogg.

The goal that had threatened to come arrived in the 58th minute when Grazioli put Dominic Sterling under pressure and the Aldershot defender sold his keeper short with a headed back-pass, which the Barnet marksman joyfully hook past the stranded Barnard.

Barnet tried hard to add to their goal tally with Gamble and Ismail Yakubu both going close, while at the other end home keeper David Forde did well to hold Dean Hammond's powerful free-kick.

An 88th minute headed goal by Tim Sills reduced the arrears and left Barnet with a few anxious minutes to play out, but they comfortably held on for the three points thanks to Aldershot giving away a few free-kicks on the edge of their own penalty area.

Photos

Thirty photos of the game.

Stats

From Press Association

Bookings

Barnet

L.Hogg, 14, unsporting behaviour
D.Maddix, 36, unsporting behaviour

Aldershot

D.Hammond, 18, unsporting behaviour
J.Rodwell, 64, unsporting behaviour
D.Hooper, 90, unsporting behaviour

Teams

Barnet

D.Forde, I.Yakabu, C.Plummer, M.Rooney, D.Maddix, J.Gamble, M.Williams, L.Hogg, B.Strevens, G.Grazioli, P.Beadle (T.Taggart 76)

Unused substitutes: L.Baimass, D.Naisbitt, N.Sylla, G.Lopez

Aldershot

N.Bull (R.Barnard 46), R.Warburton, D.Sterling (J.Rodwell 63), J.Chewins, D.Hooper, D.Hammond, F.Manuella (S.Tanfield 63), J.Challinor, R.D'Sane, A.McLean, T.Sills

Unused substitutes: J.Taylor, L.Charles

Other Reports

Nationwide's Conference Site
BBC

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