Nationwide Conference
30 August 2003

From the Nationwide Conference Website

A HAT-TRICK by Giuliano Grazioli helped Barnet secure all three points in an impressive victory against Halifax Town.

Grazioli got his treble to take his season tally to eight following his summer move to the Bees as part of the transfer that took Junior Agogo to Bristol Rovers.

However, worryingly for Barnet, Grazioli limped off the pitch with ten minutes remaining with an ankle injury.

Barnet had made a great start to the game and Ben Strevens should have opened the scoring but side-footed an effort wide of the post when unmarked in the box.

However, the Bees did not have to wait long before they took the lead in the eighth minute.

Joe Gamble split the Halifax defence with a throughball that found Grazioli and the striker beat Clint Davies from close range.

Halifax quickly fought back and a hopeful free kick from 35 yards taken by Craig Midgley nearly beat Daniel Naisbitt but hit the outside of the post.

The scores were level in the 15th minute when Midgley finished off a great passing move that had involved three players as the Bees defence was carved open.

Just before half time Barnet retook the lead after good work from Mark Williams who impressed throughout the game on the right wing.

He had won a free kick that he took himself and he crossed for the unmarked Chris Plummer to head home from five yards.

Second Half

Barnet dominated the second half and cruised to the three points. Grazioli grabbed his second in the 51st minute after a Williams corner had been flicked on by Ian Hendon for the striker to score from three yards out.

The fourth Barnet goal came in the 69th minute from a Grazioli shot that took a deflection and left Davies no chance in the Halifax goal.

Norman Silla replaced the injured Grazioli with ten minutes left and almost scored his first goal for the club but hit the post in injury time.

Barnet manager Martin Allen was pleased with the effort of his players saying: "The team played well.

"It was a competitive game and our players have done OK. It was a total performance and they all want to do well and are working hard. Grazioli took a knock on his ankle but we will find out more on Monday."

Match Photos

Click here for over thirty match photos.

Stats

From Press Association

Bookings

Barnet

L.Hogg, 47, unsporting behaviour
D.Maddix, 65, unsporting behaviour
N.Sylla, 90, dissent

Halifax

K.Sandwith, 22, unsporting behaviour
S.Garnett, 57, unsporting behaviour
D.Cameron, 65, unsporting behaviour
L.Killeen, 84, unsporting behaviour

Teams

Barnet

D.Naisbitt, I.Hendon, I.Yakabu (S.Henry 72), S.King, C.Plummer, D.Maddix (M.Rooney 72), J.Gamble, L.Hogg, B.Strevens, G.Grazioli (N.Sylla 79), M.Williams

Unused substitutes: G.Lopez, R.Millard

Halifax

C.Davies, J.Price (A.Farrell 59), S.Garnett, A.Quinn, K.Sandwith, S.Bushell, D.Hudson, L.Elam (R.Mallon 54), D.Cameron (C.Lee 70), C.Midgley, L.Killeen

Unused substitutes: S.McAuley, M.Monington

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