Herts Senior Cup
Second Round
02 December 2003

By Iain Dalziel

Barnet’s youngsters booked their place in the Hertfordshire Senior Cup 3rd Round, easing to a 3-1 in over Ware Town.

The Bees starting line-up featured no less than seven protec players, along with protec graduate Lee Roache, trialist Wes Daly and Barnet’s final youth product’s, Ricky Millard and captain for the evening, Jamie Smith.

However, it was the substitutes bench that was most interesting! Bees old boy Frazer Toms made his Underhill return after injury, which had ruled him out since April. Along with a more recent signing on the subs bench. Long term fanatic and Bees number forty Steve Percy was also named among the subs, later achieving his dream of playing!

The game started at a reasonable pace, all the youngsters were looking to make an impression and looked eager to do something special. In the early stages Ware failed to cause many problems, and didn’t look particularly threatening. Unlike Barnet’s attacking duo of Lee Roache and Neil Thompson. The pacey Roache and the powerful Thompson both looked liked causing the Ware defence trouble.

Barnet’s first real attempt came from Roache. The young striker made a bursting run down the left hand side before cutting into the box. Unfortunately his shot went way over, but he soon redeemed himself. Shortly after his miss he scored his first goal in Bees colours. After latching on to a good through pass he calmly slotted the ball under Ware ‘keeper Lee Robinson, into the bottom corner to make it 1-0.

The Bees started to pick up momentum after the first, and two minutes later they doubled their lead. Daly played a good ball to Thompson, who skilfully dummied the ball to Roache. He then made it 2-0 in identical fashion to the first.

At 2-0 up Barnet looked to have won the game. However, Ware didn’t give up and began to venture forward. Danger man Matt Kearney looked Ware’s most likely source of a goal and were it not for two excellent tackles from protec centre back Daniel Cootes, he may well have got one. However, Kearney continued to cause problems for Cootes and Chris Holmes in the Bees central defence, and finally scored.

A deflected pass gave the stocky striker a chance, like Barnet’s goals it was a one on one. After beating the defence it was Kearney against Ricky Millard. The Ware attacker kept his cool and knocked the ball past Millard to make it 2-1. Not long after this the whistle blew for half time, the Bees going in with a one goal advantage at the break.

Second Half

Right after the break Neil Thompson made it 3-1, following some good play. This all but killed off Ware, but they wouldn’t give up. Barnet made their first change after the third goal, left winger Michael Deane was replaced by big number twelve Warren McBean. Ware were giving it their all, but Barnet were dealing with any pressure.

Had a player not gone down injured Ware would have scored a phenomenal goal. After the whistle had blown Kearney smacked the ball with the outside of his boot, forty yards from goal the ball looped high in the air before curling into the top corner! As the goal didn’t stand Barnet’s fans were more than happy to applaud as the attacker held his arms up in celebration.

However, this was the only time Ware got close to scoring. Barnet were enjoying the majority of the possession, and like Ware scored a disallowed goal. After the referee had blown his whistle Thompson deftly chipped Robinson. However, the referee, Mr. Deadman, didn’t see the funny side and booked Neil Thompson.

Barnet were now thoroughly in command and made their second change of the evening. Frazer Toms replaced number seven Aaron Wright, receiving a warm reception from the Bees fans. However, the big change didn’t come until just past the 80th minute. With his long grey hair and beer belly, Steve Percy made his Barnet debut.

Percy, who it looked like was playing up front, was then involved in the game’s most controversial moment. After being passed to by the impressive Thompson he was floored by a rash challenge from Nick Goodhew. Instead of getting up and shaking hands Percy retaliated! Wildly kicking out at the Ware midfielder. This then lead to a large fracas, resulting in Goodhew getting a red card.

Shortly after this Ware conceded another free kick. After not being particularly effective from set pieces all evening, number four Wes Daly, made up for it. From thirty five to forty yards the midfielder hit a wonderful strike over the wall and past the despairing Robinson into the roof of the net, making it 4-1. This sealed the victory. Earning the Bees a place in the next round, making up for last years disappointment at Potters Bar Town.

On Saturday it’s back to the serious business, a mouth watering 2nd round tie in the FA Cup at Yeovil. Hopefully the ‘Red Army’ will be in good voice to help us reach the FA Cup 3rd round, as well as the Hertfordshire Cup 3rd round!

Iain Dalziel’s Man of the Match

Neil Thompson

Bookings

Barnet

65 Neil Thompson
87 Jamie Smith

Ware

11 Adrian Robinson
35 Nick Goodhew
45 Nick Burt
89 Nick Goodhew (second yellow, sent off)
89 Kevin Kilroy

Referee: D Deadman

Teams

Barnet

Ricky Millard, Jamie Smith, Brett Freeman, Wes Daily (Steve Percy 87), Daniel Cootes (Frazer Toms 60), Chris Holmes, Arron Wright (Warren McBean 53), Luke Smith, Lee Roache, Neil Thompson, Michael Dean

Unused subs: Lee Walker, Bradley Garnis

Ware

Lee Robinson, Ashley Da Silva, Joe Barnett, Nick Goodhew, Dave Greenwood, Andy Crawford (Chris Ellerbeck 53), Adrian Robinson, Kevin Kilroy, Nick Burt, Matt Kearney (Greg Moy 75), John Frendo

Unused subs: Shane O'Brien, George, Paul Clark

Please note, all times are approximate and I'm not 100% certain of some of the bookings/substitutions.

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