Barnet In The Alliance Premier League - The First Season

Hopes were high that Barnet would perform well in their first season in the Alliance Premier League and began the campaign at Nuneaton Borough on 18^thAugust 1979, but lost on the opening day, 2-1. Barnet's goal was scored by substitute Gary French late on in the game and was really just a consolation goal. The Barnet side that day was; Blackwell, Hullett, Pearce, Millet, Oliver, Townsend, Turner, Robinson, Sperrin, McCormack, Siani. Sub: French

On the following Tuesday, Barnet entertained Boston United, in their first ever home Alliance Premier League match, in front of 1005 fans. It was a fairly dull match, after a bright opening by the Bees. Former Wealdstone player, Steve Brinkman made his debut for the club and gave an impressive performance and right back, Chris Hullett hit the post. The Bees had a good shout for a penalty turned down when striker, Martin Sperrin was hauled down in the 17^thminute but the game got bogged don in midfield and ended goalless. Still at least the Bees had got off the mark. The Barnet side was: Blackwell, Hullett, Pearce, Millet, Oliver, Brinkman, Townsend, Turner, Robinson, Sperrin, French.

On the Saturday, Barnet won their first game of the campaign by beating Stafford Rangers 2-1 at home with goals from Gary French and Graham Pearce, but took just 3 points from their next 5 games, before winning their first way game of the season at Bath City by 2-1; Graham Pearce and Bob Booker scoring. The club was dogged by a lack of consistency and a lack of goals. Following the win at Bath, the Bes only won one of their next 7 matches, a 1-0 home win over struggling AP Leamington, Steve Turner scoring.

A 2-0 defeat at home to Wycombe Wanderers in the 4^th qualifying round of the FA Cup depressed matters further as the Bees struggled in the bottom half of the table. A 2-1 away win at Leytonstone & Ilford in the 2^ndround of the FA trophy was followed by league defeats at Kettering and Yeovil Town and Barnet had to wait until just before Christmas for another league win, a 4-1 home win over Telford United, Chris Smith, Steve Robinson, Steve Brinkman and Chris Hullett scoring for Barnet

It was the club's first league win in nearly two months. Barnet then lost home and away to Wealdstone and then had two draws before beating Gravesend & Northfleet, 3-0 at home, Steve Turner scoring twice with the other goal coming from new signing, Martin Conquest. The Barnet team that day was, Blackwell, Hullett, Millett, Oliver, Pearce, Hardman, Brinkman, Turner, Robinson, Roberts, Conquest (Smith).

The Bees had to wait until March for the next win, a 2-1 home win over Nuneaton Borough, with goals from Tony O'Hare and Steve Oliver. However, there then followed a good run of form for the Bees that allowed them to climb the table. Barnet won five wins on the spin, starting with the win over Nuneaton. This was followed by a 2-1 away win at Stafford Rangers, Chris Hullett scoring twice, 1-0 at home to Bath City, Steve Robinson scoring, 2-0 at home to eventual champions, Altrincham, Steve Robinson and new striker, Elwyn Roberts scoring and a 2-1 win at Telford United, with another goal from Roberts and a Steve Brinkman penalty. That win completed a Bees double over Telford. It was interesting that a number of goals were coming from defenders.

The run of wins couldn't last though, a goalless draw at home to Worcester City was followed by a dreadful Easter, with Barnet losing all three matches without even scoring. The Bees even lost to bottom club, Redditch. Barnet's form collapsed. When Barnet faced Northwich Victoria at the beginning of the Easter period they had 29 points from 29 games. In the remaining 9 matches of the season, they took just one point. The bees finished 17^thand must have been thankful for their run of five wins on the trot in March. Only one club, Redditch United, were relegated and Barnet finished 12 points above them, so they were safe enough, but it had been a disappointing start to their time in the new league

The Bees only managed to score 32 goals in 38 games. Only bottom club, Redditch United scored less. Defensively, the side was quite sound, the team just didn't score enough goals.

Meanwhile, Barnet progressed to the semi-finals of the Alliance Premier League Cup. In the 2^nd round, back in September, they defeated Bath City, 2-0 at home. In the 3^rd round, they drew 2-2 at Nuneaton, before winning the replay 2-1 after extra time. In the semi-final, they met Altrincham and after losing 1-0 at home in the 1^stleg, they were hammered 7-0 at Altrincham. In The Herts Senior Cup, Barnet won the final 1-0 against Boreham Wood.

In the FA Trophy, Barnet defeated Hendon in the 1^st round after a replay, then won 4-1 at home to Bangor City in the 2^nd round, before losing 2-1 away at Nuneaton Borough in round 3.