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A bright and encouraging start that produced a fine headed goal by Delroy Facey was insufficient to earn the three vital points as substitute Ben May fired in to give The Bees a share of the spoils.
Adam Bartlett was recalled between the sticks and was joined at the back by Ben Purkiss who came in at the expense of Stefan Stam. Barkhuizen, Lunt, Featherstone, Clucas and Evans filled the midfield roles with Facey up top.
Clucas made an early sortie down the left and was disappointed not to be awarded a corner before Mark Hughes was penalised for a crude challenge through the back of Facey. Kamdjo fired into the side netting the showed a clean pair of heels to Townsend leaving Bartlett having come out quickly to clear. Will Evans made good progress through midfield to release Barkhuizen but his effort was blocked away by Byrne. Then with just ten minutes played, The Bulls took the lead.
Chambers found Purkiss with a cross-field pass and young Ben flashed the ball into the danger area where Facey sent his header beyond keeper Dean Brill at the back post. Barnet were quickly on the attack searching for parity. Kenny Lunt was on hand to block an effort by Kamdjo who launched the rebound high over the bar. Clucas was felled as he charged at goal and Kenny Lunt’s short sideways free kick was hammered goalward by Evans but the shot cannoned off a defender to safety. Townsend conceded a clumsy challenge on Izale McLeod on the edge of the box but the free kick was poor and easily cleared by Chambers. Then with just over twenty minutes played Bees’ manager Lawrie Sanchez made a positive move by withdrawing full back Hajrovic and throwing on powerful striker Ben May and less than ten minutes later the Stevenage loanee levelled the score thanks to some schoolboy defending by The Bulls.
McLeod’s push on Anthony went unnoticed as he tried to clear and when the ball fell to May Townsend allowed him time to shoot home from eight yards out. Kenny Lunt battled to win the ball in the right back position and moments later popped up on the left side to support the attack as The Bulls tried to regain the advantage. Towner conceded another silly free kick, which fortunately came to nothing before McLeod attempted to traditional dive in the box to receive the dogs abuse from visiting Bull’s fans. The early control that United had showed ebbed away as the hosts were just more aware and precise with their passing while Hereford’s clearances always seemed to be collected by an opposition player. Anthony was harshly penalised when he clearly was first to the ball as the game headed for the break.
HT Barnet 1 Bulls 1
Bulls’ fans on the side terrace vented their anger at as several early second-half decisions went against us. Barkhuizen was shoved two-handedly into touch the ref waived play-on and moments later Evans was penalised for what seemed little more than a firm challenge. With the officials appearing to lose control, Richard O’Kelly took the precaution of withdrawing Evans and replacing him with Arquin with a little over half an hour to go.
Purkiss fed a fine ball through to Barkhuizen who was hauled back by Hughes who collected a yellow for his sin. McLeod fired in a cross shot that fizzed wide of the upright and when Arquin broke away on the left he was crudely and cynically hacked down from behind by Ricky Holmes as The Bulls’ striker threatened to get clear. Barnet continued to have the better of the play as they benefited from the slope and Hughes and Byrne both went close with efforts on goal. The Bulls had a good chance to regain the lead when Barkhuizen charged down a Brill clearance and as the ball rebounded to Arquin inside the box, a first time shot would surely have finished in the unguarded net but the Frenchman took the ball to the left before slicing his effort wide of the target.
O’Kelly brought on Baxendale for Chambers to in an attempt to bolster the attack but The Bulls continued to be architects of their own downfall as they were too often slow to react to the ball and found themselves frequently second to pick up possession from loose play. Having said that, another glorious chance went begging when Arquin’s shot was charged down by Brill and with just one player on the line he fired the rebound from eight yards out straight at Kamdjo who was able to chest the ball to safety.
Elder replaced Facey for the remaining few minutes but the final effort came from Barnet when May shot wide of Bartlett’s goal as the incredible 673 Bulls’ fans in the crowd of 3189 resigned themselves to the long journey home with the chances of League survival looking progressively less likely.
FT Barnet 1 Bulls 1
Hereford: Bartlett, Purkiss, Anthony, Townsend, Chambers (Baxendale 77), Barkhuizen, Featherstone, Lunt, Evans (Arquin 57), Clucas; Facey (Elder 90). Subs not used: Stam, Colbeck.
Barnet: Brill, Hajrovic (May 25), Hughes, Byrne, Kamdjo, Hector, Downing, Mustoe, Byrne Kamdjo, Hughes, Deering, McLeod, Holmes. Subs not used: Yiadom, O’Brien, Saville, N’Diaye.
Despite an encouraging start The Bulls regrettably looked short of what is required for League 2 over the ninety minutes. Once again defensive frailties took their toll and even with the prompting of Lunt they didn’t really produce enough chances or show the sharpness to deserve more than they got. An almost equally poor Barnet side held the upper hand for most of the game and were more disciplined in defence. Bartlett performed well as did the full backs but questions remain over the rear central partnership. Clucas was lively without being particularly threatening while Featherstone and Evans, although energetic, lacked the vision and control to dictate. Kenny Lunt, once again, was the pick of the pack but without a little more quality alongside he struggled to be the influence that his own performance deserved. Facey can look back on his performance with some satisfaction despite one particular wayward pass at a critical time whereas Arquin’s wasted chances tarnished an otherwise improved display. Young James Baxendale showed good energy and some nice touches but his addition to the squad has probably come too late for him to bring a major change to The Bulls’ fortunes.
Susan Boyle was not reported to be in the crowd but MP Jesse Norman was and was particularly animated during the latter periods of the game. He made little comment when I suggested that the match officials were almost as corrupt as the Metropolitan Police.
Three games to go and it looks like two wins will be the minimum requirement. See you at The Street next Saturday for another throw of the dice.
