Goals I’ll never forget

Goals. We all love them. Maybe not so much when they go against you. With Saturday’s demolition still in mind, I thought I’d look back at a few goals I’ll probably never forget. I’d been meaning to blog for a while and after the weekend’s display, I (and most likely, all my fellow Bees) need cheering up! I’m not usually one for remembering goals, score lines and the like, so there must be something special about the following four that make them stick in the mind. I spent hours looking for copies of these goals online and didn't have much luck, which sort of spoils it a bit, but still...

The ‘was it intentional?’ goal

Sam Deering V Chesterfield (2 – 2)

26/03/11

Part of the circus that was Barnet Football Club saw the return of Martin Allen who began his reign of three games with a draw against Champions elect, Chesterfield. Super Sammy Deering scoring both to grab a well-earned point and win last campaign’s ‘goal of the season’ award. The second was an absolute beauty, although I’m still unsure whether he meant it or not – whipping the ball in from the right corner area and slotting into the far top corner with the Spireite’s keeper looking bewildered and off the pitch! I don’t think we’ve ever celebrated a draw so much…

The ‘dead-ball wonder’ goal

Jason Puncheon V Bradford (2 – 1)

01/09/07

A free kick from 35 yards out in the dying stages of this game early in the season saw us win our first match of the 07/08 campaign. With the score level and looking set to stay that way, man of the moment, Jason Puncheon stepped up to score a wonder goal. He had previously hit the bar from a similar position, with only five minutes remaining – so was undoubtedly going to step up again. It’s always great to win a game in added time, but with a goal so magical makes it all the more special. JP only ever scored amazing goals, and it’s no real surprise he’s getting his chance in the Premier League.

The ‘justice’ goal

Jake Hyde V Notts County (1 – 0)

29/08/09

Notts County, the most unpopular team in the league during the season. Munto finance took over, Sven was back (albeit, shortly) on the English football scene, and a team with Lee Hughes involved will always prove to be despised. Add to that Neal Bishop who left the Bees in somewhat negative circumstances and you’ve got a game on your hands. Jake Hyde started on the bench, but joined the action in the last minute, before the fourth official waved four minutes on the board. The saying ‘right place, right time’ couldn’t be more apt when Hydey pounced on a loose ball in the final seconds, wrapping up three points to put past Kasper Schmeichel. Oh, and if anyone remembers the words to his song – let me know! I only know the tune…

Sven watches on.

The ‘big stage’ goal

Dean Sinclair V Manchester United (4 – 1)

26/10/05

Yet again, ‘that’ night gets a mention! It may have ended up being a mere consolation in what began a disastrous evening for us – but the fact that we managed to score against Man United at Old Trafford will probably stay with me forever. Even more amazing when you see where the man in question, Dean Sinclair, is now playing – and well, the fact of the matter is, he isn’t! I still remember the goal as if it were yesterday – a pass from Grazioli after pressurising Gerard Pique, who slipped, allowing Deano to put the ball into an empty net, after rounding Tim Howard in the United goal. Again, although the writing was on the wall, the elation from the fans when we got the goal was something special – and definitely deserved for the effort the 10-men put in.

The day I'll never forget.

The magic of the game under floodlights

I don’t know about you, but I find there to be something really special about the beautiful game under floodlights. The atmosphere in and around the ground before the game itself is very different; in fact my whole match routine is very dissimilar to that of the average Saturday afternoon. With the visit of Andy Hessenthaler’s Gillingham to Underhill tomorrow night (which coincides with my first game of the season – once again my summer holiday clashed with the start of the season; hey, at least I have a real tan now!), I thought I would look back at my favourite five games from seasons gone by, under the floodlights.

1.    04/09/09

Coca Cola League 2

Northampton Town 1 – 3 Barnet

The match that saw us go top of the league, albeit over night, as the game was played on a Friday. Undeservedly, we were losing at half time – Town scored after half an hour (against the run of play!). However, three second half goals (all in front of the Bees fans) meant the three points were heading back to North London and jubilation at the final whistle – with “we are top of the league” ringing around the Sixfields complex for minutes after the game. I remember it well – we completely dominated the second half, and to be honest, it could well have been more than three goals! The equaliser was an absolute beauty – a free kick from Ahmed Deen. The second, a volley from Paul Furlong had us all in raptures – another fine goal! And the game was over three minutes later, when after 70 minutes John O’Flynn joined in the scoring – a cheeky shot through the legs of the Cobblers keeper. Again, everyone went mental – and I can remember it clearly as one of my mates was on crutches at the time; the celebrations didn’t do his ankle any favours! It’s a shame the season pretty much went downhill from there, though!

2.    22/01/08

FA Cup Round 3

Barnet 1 – 1 Swindon Town (Barnet win 2 – 0 on penalties)

Certainly a game I’ll always remember, although it can’t be said it was that entertaining – despite over three and half hours of football! For the second season running, a win against higher places opposition meant a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Two goals for Billy Paynter – one in each net, in each half – sent the game to extra time and consequently penalties. The win, which amazing considering the difference in leagues of the two teams was made even more note-worthy considering we had 10 men for much of the second half and subsequent play. Michael Leary saw straight red for a challenge on a Swindon player who had to be stretchered off. The penalty shootout will be one I will always remember, although it certainly was no thriller! Swindon missed all of their penalties – and if I am correct, Beckwith made one save with their other attempts going high and wide of the target.  Bristol Rovers (who beat Fulham in their tie – a shame!) at Underhill followed, where a loss incurred.

3.    09/01/07

FA Cup Round 3

Barnet 2 – 1 Colchester United

A fourth round appearance in the FA Cup for the first time in the club’s history awaited as we beat a Championship Colchester side 2-1 at Underhill. Despite the U’s taking the lead, after half an hour of play – through Jamie Cureton of course – there was no real gulf in class between the two sides and we were unlucky to be behind at half time. With the likes of Bailey and Sinclair dominating the centre of midfield with their partnership, it was always obvious we were to equalise – and we did. A deflected goal from centre back Ismail Yakubu on the 62 minute mark and game on for the remaining half hour. From what I can remember it was end to end stuff with chances a plenty for both sides afterwards – the Bees dominating for the next 5 or so minutes after the goal, in the ascendancy. But Lee Harrison in the Barnet goal also was called for a number of saves. The winner came in the 80^th minute – Jason Puncheon the hero this time with a 20 yard curler; Dean Gerken had no chance. Plymouth were the visitors in the fourth round, where we were, unfortunately, knocked out.

4.    26/10/05

Carling Cup Round 4

Manchester United 4 – 1 Barnet

Okay, so not a game we won, but a special occasion nonetheless. The magic of the cup once again pulling out one of those ties smaller teams can only dream about – Manchester United at the theatre of the dreams for us. 4,500 Barnet fans made the journey and the overall crowd was well over 40,000 – twenty times the average amount usually at Underhill on a Saturday afternoon! A game myself, or any other Bee will ever forget – unfortunately, probably for all the wrong reasons! Ross Flitney was sent off within 90 seconds for handling outside the area – with young Louie Soares off and substitute keeper Scott Tynan on, his first job was picking the ball out of the net as United went ahead from a free kick. At half time it was 2-0, with Kieran Richardson  also netting. Things could certainly have been different had Grazioli’s goal after 15 minutes stood, but alas it was offside. Manchester United made their class and extra player count when Rossi scored after 50 minutes. But Dean Sinclair, scoring in front of the United fans got a goal he’ll never forget, pulling back a mere consolation. The match finished 4-1 with Sylvain Ebanks-Blake scoring a minute from time. Despite the scoreline, it was probably one of the best moments of my life and one I’ll never forget. Regardless of all the incident early in the game, the Bees fans never stopped singing and chanting and I’ve never seen an atmosphere like it.

5.    28/09/04

LDV Trophy Round 1

Barnet 3 – 1 Stevenage

A win against your fiercest rivals is always good, no matter what competition it’s in – particularly as it’s a while since we have beat Stevenage! In fact the last time I saw a win against the ‘scum’, I was 14 and it came in the LDV trophy first round, where we won 3-1. With both sides playing weakened sides, it was clear neither was going to take the competition too seriously. The ever-popular Nicky Bailey opened the scoring after the break, from the penalty spot after a foul on him by the Stevenage keeper. Anthony Elding got the equaliser almost instantly for the visitors and despite constant pressure from the Bees afterwards, fair play to the Stevenage keeper that kept them in the game. However, the constant barrage of pressure paid off with Bailey getting on the score sheet again, capping off a man of the match performance – and also preventing the game from going to extra time. Lee Roache completed the rout within the five minutes of injury time, meaning the Bees entered the second round of the cup; as well as having the Hertfordshire bragging rights!

Carling Cup: does anyone really care?

So this week looks set to cure my football withdrawal symptoms, at least for a couple of days anyway – Thursday sees the Carling Cup first round draw and Friday, the Football League fixtures for the 2011-12 season. I’m going to concentrate on the former in this entry.

The Carling Cup is often known as the Mickey Mouse trophy, which is something I have never understood. At the end of the day it’s the chance to win a trophy and enter the European stages for the following campaign. It seems to me, however, that the trophy seems worthless when your team is knocked out, or play a weakened side – however, in the opposite case, becomes one of the best things ever when you win, or progress against opposition of a higher league or league position! I mean take last season, for example; nobody expected Birmingham City to win it and the biggest surprise was Ipswich Town (who eventually lost to Arsenal in the second leg of the semi final).

For me, although there isn’t the same kind of ‘underdog’ mentality which is displayed in the FA Cup, the Carling Cup is still a chance for a club in the Football League to cause a shock.

However, as a Barnet fan, I can’t say of late, there have been any real shocks as these results suggest:

2007 – Round 1 – Norwich 5 – 2 Barnet

2008 – Round 1 – Brighton and Hove Albion 4 – 0 Barnet

2009 – Round 1 – Barnet 0 – 2 Watford (after extra time)

2010 – Round 1 – Swansea City 3 – 0 Barnet

My one big stand-out memory though comes from the 2005-06 season, when we managed to get to Round 3, following victories against Bristol City (4 – 2) and Plymouth Argyle (2 – 1) – with a plum tie against Manchester United, at Old Trafford. For us, it was the stuff that dreams are made of. I still remember to this day where I was when the draw was made, and my reaction to the game of my life.

However, those dreams turned to nightmares on the night. If you don’t know (or can remember that far back!) what happened: Ross Flitney, our keeper was sent off within 90 seconds for handling outside the area. Understandably it is a red card offence, but on a big stage where dreams are made, for a poor lowly team like Barnet, he should have been given the benefit of the doubt. From there, Scott Tynan (on the bench) had to replace Louie Soares and United scored from the resulting free kick. We were 3-down before Dean Sinclair scored the goal he’ll probably remember for the rest of his life; however, the final score finished 4 – 1. If you get chance, have a read here.

Just under 5,000 Bees fans went to the game though and the atmosphere throughout was amazing, possibly the best I’ve ever witnessed. Even before the game, it was electric inside the concourse. Even when our dreams were shattered within 2 minutes. Even though we were eventually defeated. That night still remains to be one of the best of my life, and I can honestly say, hand on heart, I’m proud to be a Bee.

So there we are, I’d like a nice easy-ish tie drawn on Thursday please, and the hopeful chance to relive a night like that one – minus the controversy of course!

Oh, and it’s needless to say that THAT official has never taken charge of any games since, and that’s the way I’d like it to remain.