Nationwide Conference
17 January 2004

By Callum Williams

BARNET finished with nothing to show for their efforts after their full-blooded clash with their East London rivals at Underhill on Saturday.

Six goals, sending-off and a penalty save were the main highlights of a Confernce match that always threatened to bubble over in front of a crowd of more than 2,000.

Unfortunately for Barnet, four of the goals were scored by Dagenham, Barnet skipper Ian Hendon had the penalty saved and Bees' central defender Chris Plummer was the player sent off.

With memories of the 5-2 drubbing they suffered at Dagenham earlier in the season still in their minds, Barnet had several first team regulars back in the side with only the suspended Joe Gamble missing.

Barnet made a bright start and put Dagenham, who had former Bee Danny Naisbitt in goal, under early pressure. Liam Hatch and Guiliano Grazioli both tried their lucky unsuccessfully with snap shots.

At the other end, the Bees' defence was given a warning when Daggers' captain Tim Cole planted a free header into Shane Gore's grateful arms.

Daggers took the lead with a messy goal after 20 minutes when Barnet defender Simon King attempted to clear a low cross and the ball struck the luckless Plummer and tricked over the line for an own goal.

It took Barnet just five minutes to get back on terms as Grazioli lobbed Naisbitt for his 22nd goal of the season.

Then a frantic period of play began with Cole heading the Daggers back in front from a Piper free-kick after 28 minutes, quickly followed by the penalty drama.

Ismail Yakubu broke into the Dagenham area and had his legs removed by Jimmy Jackson, but Hendon blasted his spot-kick straight at the grateful Naisbitt, who only had to stand his ground and block the shot.

Barnet brought on winger Anthony McNamee for Yakubu just before the half ended with the Daggers leading 2-1.

Second Half

The second period saw Barnet make a positive start, but they were once again rocked back on their heels when Daggers' Mark Janney got the better of King 25 yards out and hooked a tremendous shot over the stranded Gore.

Chances came and went at both ends before Grazioli revived Barnet's chances of grabbing a point when he headed home from close range after 86 minutes.

This was the signal for a couple of minutes of mayhem as Naisbitt picked the ball out of the back of the net and petulently kicked it high over the East Terrace.

The goalkeeper tangled in the back of the net with an angry Plummer, who had already been booked. While Naisbitt was receiving lengthy treatment, Plummer was shown a red card.

Before the game resumed, Naisbitt was shown a yellow card.

As the game entered five minutes of stoppage time, Danny Maddix blasted over from eight yards as Barnet desperately went in search of an equaliser.

Their chances were killed stone dead in the dying second when Barnet's Geoff Pitcher lost possession on the edge of his own area and Danny Hill netted the Daggers' fourth goal.

A great result for Dagenham and first-class entertainment for any neutral onlookers, but a miserable afternoon for the Bees and their fans.

Match Photos

Twenty two photos of the game by Chris Holland.

Quotes from the Manager

"We tried our best they the players all gave maximum effort. There were a couple of pivotal moments in the game one of course being the penalty, but it wasn't to be.

"The chance never went in they tried their best in the second half but it was against the run of play, a 25 yarder in the top corner and when those things go against you I think you start thinking 'oh God it's not going to be your day'

"I'm sure Garry Hill would be very happy with the win at Barnet but I'm sure Garry will be scratching his head thinking 'why the hell don't we play like that every week' and that is a major criticism of their players. Today they were superb and if they play like that every week they wouldn't be where they are in the league."

Bookings

Barnet

C.Plummer, 31, unsporting behaviour
C.Plummer, 85, foul/abusive language (Sent off)

Dagenham & Redbridge

T.Cole, 39, dissent
D.Naisbitt, 86, unsporting behaviour

Referee: Drysdale, D

Teams

Barnet

S.Gore, I.Hendon, S.King, C.Plummer, D.Maddix, I.Yakabu (A.McNamee 38), G.Lopez, B.Strevens, G.Pitcher, G.Grazioli, L.Hatch (M.Williams 72)

Unused substitutes: T.Taggart, M.Rooney, R.Millard

Dagenham & Redbridge

D.Naisbitt, T.Cole, J.Jackson, T.Mustafa, C.Hoyle, P.Bruce, D.Hill, C.Piper (D.Shipp 72), M.Janney (S.Watts 77), C.Moore, R.Pacquette (L.Braithwaite 68)

Unused substitutes: A.Baruwa, A.Kimble

Other Reports

Nationwide Conference
This is Bees
Barnet Cartoons
Digger Dagger.com
Barnet Times
Wanstead Woodford Guardian

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