Barnet returned to playing in the Herts Senior Cup in 1975 and reached the semi final before losing to Bishops Stortford after a replay. Barnet beat Stevenage Athletic (4-1) and Hitchin Town (1-0) in the earlier rounds. Billy Meadows scored a hat tick against Stevenage.
The following three seasons were pretty bleak for Barnet in this competition. In 1976/77, the season that Barnet won promotion back to the Premier Division of the Southern League, the Bees went out in the 2nd round after losing 3-2 at home to St Albans City, John Fairbrother and Bob McNab scoring for the Bees. The following season, Les Eason and Jimmy Greaves scored in a 2-0 home win over Cheshunt in the 2nd round, but the Bees went out in the next round, losing 5-1 at Watford, Greaves scoring for Barnet. In 1978/79, Barnet beat Hertford Town 4-0 following a replay in the 3rd round, but were expelled from the trophy because of fielding an ineligible player, keeper, Kevin Blackwell, later manager of Leeds and Sheffield United, having already played for Barton Rovers in an earlier round.
At the end of the season, Barnet were elected to the newly formed, Alliance Premier League and their form in the County Cup improved dramatically as they won the tournament for the first time since 1965. A Lou Adams goal gave them a 1-0, 2nd round win over Watford before Hoddesdon Town were dispatched by 7-0 at Underhill in the 3rd round. Steve’s, Turner and Robinson scored in a 2-0 semi final win over Berkhemstead Town before Barnet won the trophy with a Robinson goal in a 1-0 win over Borehamwood at Watford.
Barnet reached the final again the following season after wins over Berkhemstead Town (5-1), Hemel Hempstead Town (2-0 after a replay) and Bishops Stortford (1-0). However they lost 5-0 at Watford in the final.
The following season, Barnet went out to Hertford Town in the 3rd round. The next two seasons saw Barnet reach the semi finals; losing 4-0 to Watford in 1982/83 after beating Sawbridgeworth (4-0) on the way and 5-0 to Watford in 1983/84 after beating Hatfield (3-2) and St Albans City (6-2) in the earlier rounds.
In 1984/85, Barnet reached the final, but lost to Watford (again!!), going down 5-2 this time after having seen off Hertford Town (3-1) and Letchworth GC (3-1) on the way to the final.
In 1985/86, the Bees won the trophy for the first time since 1980, defeating Stevenage Borough 4-0 in the final, played at Bishops Stortford. Barnet’s goals came from Peter Brown, Glyn Creaser and two from Dave Sansom. Barnet defeated Tring Town (2-0), St Albans (1-0) and Hitchin Town (2-0) on the way to the final.
The next two seasons saw Barnet go out in the 1st round; 3-2 at home to Baldock in 1986/87 and 2-1 at home to Hitchin Town in 1987/88. In 1988/89, Barnet reached the 3rd round beating St Albans (1-0) and Ware (4-1) before losing 6-3 to Watford. Dave Sansom scored a hat trick against Ware.
The following season, Barnet reached the semi final. Hitchin Town were dispatched 3-2 at home with two goals from Gary Bull and one from frank Murphy and when Watford were hammered 5-2 in the 2nd round, with Andy Clarke scoring 4 goals, Barnet would have been favourites to win the cup that season. So it was very disappointing when Barnet lost 2-1 to Hertford Town in the semi finals.
In 1991, Barnet won the Conference title and were promoted to the Football league for the first time in their history. Barnet won the Herts Senior Cup that season too beating Watford in the final 5-2 with goals from Gary Bull, Tony Lynch, Paul Culpin and two from Roger Willis. On the way to the final, Barnet defeated Baldock (6-3), Hertford (2-1) and Stevenage Borough (4-1).
In the last part of the series, Barnet Mad brings the history right up to date before Barnet embark on this season’s tournament.
