Bees put dent in Torquay's title hopes

For the final time this season on Saturday afternoon I was sitting in front of a Barnet stream and I sincerely hope it’s the last I’m ever having to do that! A trip to title chasing Torquay in the final away game of the season wouldn’t have been the first choice of one of the last three games before the wasted season finally finished.

After two previous performances of huff and puff but no results, Simon Bassey changed things up again with Themis Kefalas back in the starting line-up with Courtney Baker-Richardson and Alex McQueen missing out completely whilst there was a surprise amongst the four named substitutes Josh Walker appearing for the first time this season.

With both sides playing in front of fans for the first time since December, and the home side needing to avoid defeat to keep their title hopes alive it was a surprise that the Bees started the better of the two sides, the Gulls looking extremely nervy from the kick off.

Tomi Adeloye was close to giving the Bees an early lead as Torquay started to grow into the game, Jake Andrews sending a free kick just wide of the post, then Adeloye setting up Michael Petrasso but the Canadian’s shot was deflected wide for a corner.

As it was the home side took the lead against the run of play on 13 minutes, Andrews settling the nerves slightly with a smart finish cutting in from the left hand side. Kefalas thought he had the equaliser just four minutes later only to see his header cleared off the line, moments before Adeloye had a sight of goal before a timely intervention.

Somehow the Gulls were two goals to the good after 23 minutes, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans benefitting from Ben Nugent beaten by a diagonal ball to round Adam Parkes leaving Barnet wondering why they were two goals behind and not in front. Not that this goal settled the nerves for the home side, they still looked capable of allowing Barnet back into the game.

Adeloye should have won himself a penalty after having his shirt tugged in the box, missed by both the referee and the short-sighted commentators who struggled with everything Barnet all afternoon. Kefalas should have halved the deficit just after the half hour sending a free header wide of the target.

The Bees didn’t have to wait long for their way back into the game, on 37 minutes Harry Taylor was needlessly fouled in the area and Petrasso stepped up to put the ball past ex-Worthing stopper Luca Covolan to reduce the arrears.

A superb save from Parkes kept the deficit at one on the stroke of half time, the home side going into the break in front but far from convincing.

Barnet again started strong and were level ten minutes into the half. A foul on Petrasso led to Sam Skeffington putting a free kick onto the head of Kefalas and this time the Greek youngster and made no mistake and the Bees had parity once again.

Both sides then opened up the game, Andrews putting a free kick the wrong side of Parkes’ post whilst Petrasso forced Covolan into a reflex save and chances continued to be traded, Taylor denied by Covolan whilst the Gulls missed a great chance at the far post which only needed a touch to end up in the back of the net.

The Bees did have to withstand a huge amount pressure in the final ten minutes but the home side couldn’t find a way through and in stoppage time the Bees had at least two very good chances to win the game but poor decision making in the final third meant the spoils were shared, Sutton Utd with the chance to win the title on Sunday afternoon before they visit The Hive on the final day next weekend.

This was probably the best performance of the season, some outstanding contributions along the way from Skeffington whose set pieces were a mark-up on McQueen, Ben Richards-Everton solid at the back whilst Kefalas deserved his goal and more, Petrasso, Mason-Clark and Beard providing good contributions.

Can’t let it pass without mentioning the commentators, now I appreciate they’re the home club etc, but having watched 27 consecutive Barnet streams bar Kings Lynn away these two were horrendous. Mistaking 6ft Nugent for 5ft something Lee Vaughan when taking throw in’s is something else, Skeffington’s corners they thought were taken by Petrasso, not difficult chaps when these guys have their own number on the back of their shirt, maybe a little more professionalism wouldn’t go amiss.

Two to go, both at The Hive including the visit of champions elect Sutton Utd next Saturday, Maidenhead to come on Tuesday evening. Tickets for both already in the wallet, that long five hour round trip I am actually looking forward to and seeing a lot of people who have been strangers for a year or so or Twitter buddies, Tuesday night under lights bring it on……………………