A bizarre second half own goal from former Barnet player Michael Townsend stung Hereford where it hurts as the Bees cruised to a 2-0 victory over their fellow relegation rivals.
On a miserable and rainy Saturday afternoon at Underhill, it was the home team who started off the brighter side and almost took the lead after a terrific half volley from debutant Grant Basey dipped just wide of the goal after just 10 minutes. Barnet didn’t have to wait much longer to take the lead though and it came through a cool finish from Mark Marshall. After a brief Hereford attack, the ball broke to Steve Kabba who slid a through ball into the path of former Swindon Town trainee Marshall who calmly passed the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net.
Barnet continued to press for a second goal of the afternoon; first with Steve Kabba whose shot was well saved by keeper Adam Bartlett, and then from a Jordan Parkes free kick that was also stopped by the former Newcastle United youngster in the Bulls goal.
After the interval, Hereford United tried to do their best to claw their way back into the game. Their best chance fell to Northern Ireland Under 21 player James McQuilkin, but Jake Cole managed to pull of an excellent save from a curling shot from 25 yards. However, that was as good as it got for the team from Herefordshire.
The Bees tried to pressurise their opponents into making a mistake, and that tactic paid off when Ricky Holmes’s shot from distance was awkwardly spilled by Adam Bartlett and rolled agonisingly wide of the goal. Hereford’s second mistake in as many minutes was the crucial one of the game. Ricky Holes tried to pressurise Michael Townsend into making a clearance, but instead the Bulls captain passed the ball back to the goalkeeper who inexplicitly allowed the ball to roll under his foot and trickle into the goal; despite his efforts to claw the ball back off the line. A very bizarre incident indeed, but the Barnet fans weren’t complaining.
Jake Cole didn’t have much to do during the game, but when he was called upon, he performed his duties well. Looking for a consolation deep into injury time, the ball ricocheted into the path of Joe Colbeck, who snatched at a shot which was superbly saved by the Barnet number 1; yet again informing Phil Carpenter and Tom Coulton that they will be very fortunate if they were to get a game for Barnet any time soon.
Barnet managed to hang onto their second clean sheet as well as second win of the season in front of an embarrassing crowd of 1,745 at Underhill; climbing out the relegation zone in the process. Hereford United remain rock bottom and no one would be particularly surprised if manager Simon Davey was to resign or even be sacked in the next few days.
Next up for Barnet is a Johnstone’s Paint Trophy clash against Southend United on Tuesday night before Bradford City are the visitors to Underhill next Saturday.
Man of the Match: Steve Kabba
