The home side started very brightly and should have taken the lead after just a minute on the clock. Sam Cox, starting his second match in succession, played a lovely pass over the top of the Stockport defence and found Izale McLeod, but the ex Charlton striker could only slide his effort inches wide of the post.
Another chance fell for Barnet 5 minutes later. Ricky Holmes was allowed to swivel sharply in Stockport’s penalty area before setting himself up for a half volley, but unfortunately the former Southend United trainee could only shoot high and wide without troubling the goalkeeper.
Stockport’s first chance fell on 19 minutes. An in swinging corner from Jake Simpson sparked a goalmouth scramble, which eventually resulted in defender Andy Halls spooning the ball hideously over the goal from two yards out.
Moments later, The Hatter’s had another opportunity. Jake Simpson was given time and space on the edge of the area to have a go at goal, only for Jake Cole to prove equal to the shot.
It was soon Adam Griffin’s turn to have a pop at goal. He found the ball at his feet from 30 yards out, before looking up, but instead of finding the back of the net, Jake Cole was able to catch the ball firmly in his grasp. Soon after that, Griffin had another chance to get on the score sheet after another Jake Simpson corner, but Griffin’s header went wide of the goal from six yards.
After half an hour, Barnet were allowed an attempt on goal. George Francomb was able to skip past a couple of County defenders on the right wing before playing a pass square to Glen Southam, who, after a few touches, could only curl the ball wide of Matt Glennon’s goal.
However, the Bees weren’t able to capitalize on a good spell of possession. Sam Cox gave the ball away to George Donnelly, but his shot was saved low down by Cole.
On the stroke of halftime, Andy Halls produced a beautiful diagonal cross into the penalty area, and Greg Tansey came sliding in unmarked, but Cole managed to get a strong hand on the ball, tipping it round the post, ensuring the two teams were going into the interval goalless.
Barnet started the second half exactly how they had started the first half. Straight from kick off, Glen Southam managed to win the ball, but his shot from long range trickled wide of the target.
The first goal of the game, went Stockport’s way after 51 minutes. Wes Fletcher, on loan from Burnley, played a nice through ball into the path of George Donnelly, who was able to calmly slot the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net.
However, the home side refused to back down. A long kick from Jake Cole reached Steve Kabba in the opposite penalty area, who was able to shrug off Frenchman Mansour Assoumani, before squaring the ball across for Izale McLeod who had the simple task of poking the ball over the line.
Just after Izale McLeod had another goal rightly disallowed for offside, Donnelly really should have doubled his tally. Andy Halls easily skimmed past Joe Devera, and has enough time to pick out Donnelly, but there was too much pace on the ball for the striker on loan from Plymouth to get a proper connection on the ball.
After 65 minutes on the clock, Mark Marshall had a brilliant header tipped round the post by Matt Glennon after a Glen Southam free kick. The Bees were starting to get really agitated, and their frustrations were summed up when Steve Kabba had all the time in the world to get a shot away from ten yards out, only for Glennon to parry the ball away.
Stockport were the ones who eventually got their noses into the lead again. In thick fog, the ball was laid off to Greg Taney by Donnelly, and the 22 year old Taney was able to pick his spot in the bottom left hand corner of the net.
Soon after, the Hatters had the opportunity to put the game to bed. Wes Fletcher received the ball with his back to goal in Barnet’s penalty area, and after turning Clovis Kamdjo well, the Cameroonian defender hauled the attacker down, conceding a penalty in the process. It was Greg Tansey’s duty to step up from 12 yards before side footing the ball into the back of the net, sending Jake Cole the wrong way in the process.
No matter how hard Barnet tried to get a goal back, the Bees weren’t able to. 81 minutes were played when Izale McLeod played the ball across the face of goal, but Steve Kabba sliding in, failed to get a connection.
It ended up rather comfortable for the away side who were able to take all three points back up to Greater Manchester. Next up for Barnet, weather permitting, is Aldershot Town who are the visitors to Underhill on New Years Day, before the Bees make the short journey up the road to Stevenage, one of Mark Stimson’s former clubs.
Man of the Match: Greg Tansy
Bees Man of the Match: Izale McLeod
