So finally I managed to make my first visit to The Hive, home of Barnet FC, as they took on the might of Portsmouth in a SkyBet League Two match up. My friend and fellow co host on our Grassroots Football Show on East London Radio Adam Richardson suggested we go along to this fixture as his second team (after the Arsenal) are Portsmouth, as he has family down there.
Unfortunately for him tickets in the away end were sold out, resulting in 1,330 (out of a total crowd of 2,557) Pompey fans inside the stadium which more than added to a pretty decent atmosphere. We both therefore took our seats in the Main Stand in the third row right on the half way line, perfect seats to be honest so Mr Richardson had done well in getting those. This did also mean me colleague had to try and contain himself from cheering for the men in Blue!!!!
Anyway as kick off approached the excitement and atmosphere continued to build and although the home area's were far from full, they did create a decent atmosphere in the main stand directly above us several rows back. And then the teams took to the field and the game was almost ready to get going. I had gone for a 2-0 away win which of course my fellow co host hoped would come true.
The game though lacked any real quality in the first half and chances were at a premium if truth be told. The hosts best chance saw a long range effort deflect just wide of the Pompey goal whilst Portsmouth's best chance saw a close range header misguided well wide of the target. It looked as though the half would stay goalless, that was until John Akinde was brought down inside the box by Adam Webster and saw the hosts get a penalty. The Bees' top scorer duly got up and rolled his spot kick into the bottom right corner and saw the hosts go into the break a goal to the good.
Portsmouth boss and the Pompey faithful no doubt demanded a response from their side in the second period and for the first ten to fifteen minutes of the second half did look much more positive and their best chance saw Adam McGurk's header from a Ben Davies' cross brilliantly tipped over by Jamie Stephens. Even Mr Portsmouth himself (Adam) clapped the save. However this was the only time the visitors really tested the hosts stopper in what was a fairly disappointing display.
The hosts weren't that much better but dug in and fought hard for each other, which isn't a surprise considering they are managed by Martin Allen. He always demands this from his sides and he certainly got maximum effort from his side. Barnet held on for the win , a massive win for them against a name like Portsmouth, and winning manager Martin Allen told BBC Radio London afterwards:
"I thought it was very exciting. Obviously we're playing against one of the big spenders of the division, a club with massive tradition and history, a fantastic following home and away. And our team of free transfers, a humble, down-to-earth group of lads put in a proper team performance. I would say deserved (win), with fantastic spirit, determination, courage, and they've done our club proud tonight to beat a club like Portsmouth. I thought we were disciplined. Everyone stuck to their job within the team framework."
Pompey slip out of the play-off places after only one win in six games while Barnet climb to 15th. If the men from the South Coast are to gain promotion this season they will have to improve drastically on this display, especially up front, where they were lacking in this game. For Barnet its another win and it takes them 13 points above the relegation spots but only eleven away from the play offs themselves. Do they dare to dream? The next dozen or so games will no doubt answer these questions.
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