Last Saturday was Barnet’s
penultimate game at Underhill, where Chesterfield were the visitors. Spireites’
fan Ryan gives his thoughts in this instalment of Two Minutes With...
Had you been to Underhill before?
This was my second visit to Underhill, my first being two seasons ago which was Chesterfield’s last visit to Underhill too. We drew the match 2-2 after going 2-0 up which was very disappointing but gave Barnet a vital point for survival in the 2010/2011 season.
This was my second visit to Underhill, my first being two seasons ago which was Chesterfield’s last visit to Underhill too. We drew the match 2-2 after going 2-0 up which was very disappointing but gave Barnet a vital point for survival in the 2010/2011 season.
How did you get to the game?
Unofficial supporters coach travel.
Unofficial supporters coach travel.
The match
Whereabouts in the ground did you sit/stand?
Like my last visit to Underhill I stood on the east terrace next to the segregation net beside the home fans. Loved the banter with the home supporters and the view was decent besides one pole which blocked off a small area of the pitch. Home supporters on the other side of the segregation were friendly as were the stewards.
Like my last visit to Underhill I stood on the east terrace next to the segregation net beside the home fans. Loved the banter with the home supporters and the view was decent besides one pole which blocked off a small area of the pitch. Home supporters on the other side of the segregation were friendly as were the stewards.
What did you make of the game?
Since we won 2-0 I obviously really enjoyed the game but the score line probably wasn’t a fair reflection on Barnet’s performance for a good 60 minutes of the match. First half Chesterfield were poor, Barnet looked good going forward and had a few chances well saved by our goalkeeper Tommy Lee. Despite the home side going into half time the better of two we also had a strike from Togwell well saved by Stack. The second half I thought Chesterfield were much better and whatever Paul Cook said to the lads at half time it clearly worked. The first 10 minutes or so however Barnet threatened from a lot of consecutive corners and Jake Hyde also put a chance over from close range. Once we scored the goal from Jay O’Shea (what a goal it was too) Barnet heads seemed to drop and they began to fade out of the game, we became much better and eventually got that second goal through Togwell, excellent work down the right from Darikwa.
Since we won 2-0 I obviously really enjoyed the game but the score line probably wasn’t a fair reflection on Barnet’s performance for a good 60 minutes of the match. First half Chesterfield were poor, Barnet looked good going forward and had a few chances well saved by our goalkeeper Tommy Lee. Despite the home side going into half time the better of two we also had a strike from Togwell well saved by Stack. The second half I thought Chesterfield were much better and whatever Paul Cook said to the lads at half time it clearly worked. The first 10 minutes or so however Barnet threatened from a lot of consecutive corners and Jake Hyde also put a chance over from close range. Once we scored the goal from Jay O’Shea (what a goal it was too) Barnet heads seemed to drop and they began to fade out of the game, we became much better and eventually got that second goal through Togwell, excellent work down the right from Darikwa.
Who (from either side) do you think deserved to be man
of the match?
As we kept another clean sheet I would nominate either Neal Trotman or Liam Cooper our CB pairing for the match. They had to deal with a lot of pressure from Barnet for a good 60 minutes and dealt with all 18 of Barnet’s corners very well. They looked strong, challenged well and very dominant in the air as usual. Very pleased with our defence again which is our strongest area of our team. Cooper perhaps just edged it for me.
As we kept another clean sheet I would nominate either Neal Trotman or Liam Cooper our CB pairing for the match. They had to deal with a lot of pressure from Barnet for a good 60 minutes and dealt with all 18 of Barnet’s corners very well. They looked strong, challenged well and very dominant in the air as usual. Very pleased with our defence again which is our strongest area of our team. Cooper perhaps just edged it for me.
Post-match
Was the score line a fair reflection on the game?
Taking into consideration all of Barnet’s pressure in the first half and the start of the second half and the chances they had probably not, I thought they were the better team for the majority of the match. However we defended well and had a few chances of our own before showing Barnet how to finish effectively. A point would probably have been a fair outcome for both teams but obviously I’m very happy with all three.
Taking into consideration all of Barnet’s pressure in the first half and the start of the second half and the chances they had probably not, I thought they were the better team for the majority of the match. However we defended well and had a few chances of our own before showing Barnet how to finish effectively. A point would probably have been a fair outcome for both teams but obviously I’m very happy with all three.
Who do you play next, and how do you think you’ll get
on?
After our 2-0 victory away to Barnet we have Bradford at home the following Saturday. Absolutely massive match for us as we are just three points off the play-offs in 9th position whereas Bradford are currently in 8th position with a point more and a game in hand over us. It is very important that we win and I think our home advantage will ensure we do just that. Also we currently occupy top spot in the form table after beating Barnet so I am confident, for once.
After our 2-0 victory away to Barnet we have Bradford at home the following Saturday. Absolutely massive match for us as we are just three points off the play-offs in 9th position whereas Bradford are currently in 8th position with a point more and a game in hand over us. It is very important that we win and I think our home advantage will ensure we do just that. Also we currently occupy top spot in the form table after beating Barnet so I am confident, for once.
Ratings
Cost of match day ticket ––– 8/10
My match day ticket cost my £16
which is a reasonable price for an adult ticket at any ground in league two,
however it is not the cheapest ticket I have purchased this season.
Purchases made at ground ––– 8/10
I bought an official match day
programme from the ‘Village Shop’ outside the away end for £3 which was of very
good quality, the content inside it was very good. I didn’t purchase any food
or drink within the ground although it all looked very nice and the prices were
of good value so I was told.
View ––– 7/10
The view overall was decent
although there was one pole which blocked off a small area of the pitch,
however this is expected with the east stand being a traditional terrace.
Luckily we scored both of our goals in the other net.
Quality of football ––– 7/10
(Chesterfield)
- Poor in the first half but much improved in the second, scored two goals from
two best bits of quality within the entire match I’d say.
(Barnet)
– Looked good going forward but lacked that ‘effective finishing’ end product,
forced a lot of pressure on the Chesterfield defence especially in the first
half and beginning of the second which won Barnet a lot of corners.
Overall experience ––– 9/10
Ever since I heard the news that Barnet would be leaving Underhill at the end of the season I just had to make sure I was present at our final visit. Overall I was really pleased that I attended and very happy with the result. The match was very good to watch although the atmosphere from the away fans was a bit flat, our main singers decided not to make an appearance. Home fans friendly and the stewards were very helpful. Overall I’m glad we won at our last ever visit to Underhill; we had not won there since the 3-1 victory in 2008, a perfect way for Spireites to say goodbye to Underhill.
Ever since I heard the news that Barnet would be leaving Underhill at the end of the season I just had to make sure I was present at our final visit. Overall I was really pleased that I attended and very happy with the result. The match was very good to watch although the atmosphere from the away fans was a bit flat, our main singers decided not to make an appearance. Home fans friendly and the stewards were very helpful. Overall I’m glad we won at our last ever visit to Underhill; we had not won there since the 3-1 victory in 2008, a perfect way for Spireites to say goodbye to Underhill.
Total ––– 39/50
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