Nationwide Conference
9 August 2003

Report taken from the Nationwide Conference website.

Barnet captain Ian Hendon led his team to a well deserved 2-0 victory over Telford United in sweltering conditions in North London.

The 30-year-old will try to claim the second Barnet goal after his shot took a wicked deflection off Telford defender Scott Eustace.

"Ian defended well," said Barnet manager Martin Allen after the match.

"The whole team defended well and we took our chances."

Barnet controlled the game and took the lead in the 49th minute through a brilliant strike from striker and longest serving club member Ben Strevens.

"It was a brilliant goal by Strevens," added Allen. "It was good to see after him coming back from such a serious injury."

Strevens missed most of last season after a serious ankle injury sidelined the striker for six months.

Man of the match Hendon showed all of his experience as he controlled the game from the back and was instrumental in keeping the Telford forwards at bay.

Hendon played a big part in Barnet's second goal when he won the ball in his own half and ran the length of the pitch to the Telford area.

He shot low and hard at the Telford goal and his shot took a big deflection off defender Eustace and beat the keeper at his near post.

Barnet could have had more goals but for wayward finishing and the fact that the referee twice disallowed Barnet appeals for a penalty.

"I was impressed by all the players today," said Allen. "It was a great start to the season and an ideal way to start a busy week of three games in seven days."

Update

The second goal has now been credited to Ian Hendon and not an own goal as first reported.

Stats

From Press Association (Note, these won't appear until the first Thursday after the game).

Bookings

Barnet

B.Strevens, 46, unsporting behaviour

Telford

L.Mills, 90, unsporting behaviour

Teams

Barnet

D.Naisbitt, I.Hendon, T.Taggart, S.King (M.Williams 56), C.Plummer, M.Rooney (L.Pluck 86), D.Maddix, J.Gamble, G.Lopez (L.Hogg 90), B.Strevens, G.Grazioli

Unused substitutes S. Henry, L.Roach

Telford

C.MacKenzie, M.Clarke, S.Eustace, N.Howarth, M.Blackwood (C.Murphy 63), S.Green, F.Simpson L.Williams (J.Rowe 87), T.Challis, L.Mills, J.Grant (S.Ricketts 70)

Unused substitutes M.Taylor, R.Lavery

Match Photos

There are over thirty match photos by resident photographer Chris Holland here.

Other Reports

BBC
telfordunited.co.uk

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