2012 round-up – part one

January

In the transfer window, Izale McLeod and Mark Marshall were both on the radar of a number of clubs. McLeod was the club’s top scorer with 15 goals to his name in the league and 19 in all competitions.  Marshall on the other hand had wowed with a number of good performances and clubs like Portsmouth, West Ham and Leeds were rumoured to be after him. But at the end of the month, it was reported that the club had suspended him after he tested positive for a banned substance. He had missed the last two games following the match against Dagenham & Redbridge on Boxing Day.

Young Mauro Vilhete signed a one-year extension to his current contract which would see him at the club until the summer of 2013.

Players out:

Anwar Uddin – contract terminated.

Gary Borrowdale – the QPR loanee was unable to agree terms.

Jack Saville – returned to parent club Southampton, despite nine appearances in two months. A decision with the Saints wasn’t agreed, regarding his extension.

Players in:

Arsenal defender Sead Hajrovich joined on a one-month loan.

Jordan Mustoe arrived from Wigan on a deal lasting until the end of the season.

Injuries:

Another successful trip to Sixfields

Danny Senda dislocated his knee with the 1-1 draw with Swindon in the JPT and would be out for the remainder of the campaign.

Competitions:

For the first time in the club’s history, Barnet made the area final of the JPT. A home and away leg would decide who would play at Wembley in the final against the winner of the northern area final. A draw in the first leg at Underhill set up an exciting match at the County Ground.

Results:

League – 02.01.12 – Barnet 2-0 Bristol Rovers

JPT – 10.01.12 – Barnet 1-1 Swindon Town

League – 14.01.12 – Accrington Stanley 0-3 Barnet

League – 21.01.12 – Northampton Town 1-2 Barnet

League – 28.01.12 – Barnet 2-0 Crewe Alexandra

Points – 12/12 ––– Goals scored – 9 ––– Goals conceded – 1 ––– League position – 17^th

February

The weather interfered with matches across the Football League – first the Bees’ away game at Oxford was postponed and rescheduled for a Tuesday later in the month and then the home tie with Swindon had to be called off (it ended up being played the first Tuesday in April).

Sead Hajrovich, the teenager on loan from Arsenal, extended his stay for another month.

Another defender, West Brom’s Paul Downing also lengthened his spell at Underhill, signing until the end of the season.

Stoppage in play against Oxford

Players in:

Jack Saville – a couple of days after his return to Southampton, the defender arrived back with the Bees, signing on a permanent basis after his Saints’ contract was terminated. Jack took to Twitter to share the good news with fans.

Competitions:

The Bees were knocked out of the JPT by league leaders, Swindon. After a draw in the first leg, The Robins ran out winners in the second leg, which was televised on Sky. This meant they’d play Chesterfield (who won the Northern section final) at Wembley.

Results:

JPT – 07.02.12 – Swindon Town 1-0 Barnet

League – 14.02.12 – Plymouth Argyle 0-0 Barnet

League – 18.02.12 – Barnet 1-2 Shrewsbury Town

League – 21.02.12 – Oxford United 2-1 Barnet

League – 25.02.12 – Aldershot Town 4-1 Barnet

League – 28.02.12 – Barnet 0-4 Bradford City

Points – 1/15 ––– Goals scored – 3 ––– Goals conceded – 12 ––– League position – 19^th 

March

As always there was furore surrounding the ground and club’s future. It was reported that the 2012/13 would be our last season at Underhill, with the time in between looking for possible alternatives. Kleanthous said: “As always, our supporters will be first to know once the club is able to announce any future plans”. Really?

The month ended with another famous ‘Sanchezism’. Following defeat to Torquay he came out to the press and said “we were mugged”. It got better too, as he continued: “mugged twice as well, as we played well down their place and lost in the 93^rd minute”. Chin up, magician.

Players in:

Scott McGleish – the month began on a high with the news that the former Bee and fans’ favourite would be returning on a one-month loan from fellow League Two club, Bristol Rovers.

Before kick off v Dagenham & Redbridge

Ben May – Stevenage striker who would be at Underhill until the end of the season. He made an instant impact, scoring an equaliser on his debut against Port Vale (a game the Bees went on to win).

Injuries:

Paul Downing was stretchered off during the game against Macclesfield, but after an X-ray it appeared his neck injury wasn’t as bad as previously suspected. He returned to parent club West Brom whilst he recovered.

Results:

League – 03.02.12 – Barnet 1-1 Rotherham United

League – 06.02.12 – Gillingham 3-1 Barnet

League – 10.02.12 – Port Vale 1-2 Barnet

League – 17.02.12 – Barnet 0-2 Morecambe

League – 20.02.12 – Barnet 2-2 Dagenham & Redbridge

League – 23.02.12 – Macclesfield 0-0 Barnet

League – 30.02.12 – Barnet 0-1 Torquay

Points – 6/21 ––– Goals scored – 6 ––– Goals conceded – 8 ––– League position – 22^nd