One Touch, Two Times, Three college ladies

Its Tommy Time

Accrington Stanley Bowles, the supporters team of QPR hosted Barnet yesterday at Old Deer Park, Richmond at 10am yesterday, the 31st March 2007.

For the QPR reaction visit http://www.asbfc.com/fixtures-results/match-report/60

Already missing all three goalscorers from the previous game who were understandably entertaining Gareth Needham in the Durham suite, Barnet were rocked on the morning of the game with the withdrawal of stalwart striker, Craig Clayton, who was suffering from a loss of vision. Unfortunately, late illnesses also deprived Barnet of the services of Benjamin Kentish - suffering from the Whetstone Wobblies, having eaten lasagne on the night before the game, prepared by a family friend with QPR leanings - and Iain Dalziel who had a headache, and was suffering from nausea.

To say that Barnet were down to the bare bones, was an understatement. The grave had been robbed, and the bones hidden.

This necessitated a reshuffle with former FCBFCSA manager and hall of famer, Andy Francis making a comeback at right back. In windy conditions, the team lined up as follows ;

GK David Kirby

RB Andy Francis
LB Jake Manzi (debut)

CB Ollie Minton
CB Simon Sav Alavi

RM Carl Swain (debut)
CM Gerry Currell
CM Silvio Gradoni
LM Matt Dodimead

CF Robin Goldman
CF Joel Ramos

Subs, Tom Salinger, Andy Cosier (in case of emergency), John Hunt (in case of whatever is more extreme than emergency).

The centre forward line was interesting as it saw Robin Goldman at 37, linking up with Joel Ramos , 15. Robin is over twice Joel's age, and weight.

The injury curse, forced Barnet into an early change. After some steady full back play, Andy Francis had to go off injured. The reshuffle saw Tommy Salinger sent on upfront alongside Robin Goldman, to give Barnet an untried Tommy Tank formation upfront. These club men never expect to play more than a cameo appearance, so performed enthusiatically , in trying conditions. The wind causing havoc with their normal game. The reshuffle saw Joel Ramos move to right midfield, Carl Swain to centre midfield, Gerry Currell back to centre back, and Simon Sav Alavi to right back. Hunt, having to take over Salinger's linesman duties.

This was always going to prove a tough ask for the Bees, and it was real backs to the wall stuff. Missing that vital outlet with pace upfront Barnet were up against it. Barnet also had the wind against them. Defensively Barnet were superb right across the back line. Kirby was solid, and reliable as ever. Sav Alavi, throwing himself at everything. Minton was commanding in the middle, and won everything in the air, and Currell mopped up everything. Debutant Jake Manzi and Matt Jagger Dodimead linked up well on the left, switching from time to time, and cover each other.

QPR train every week, and were well drilled. This showed from their set plays. Delivery from corners were excellent, and forced Ramos, Currell, Alavi, and Ramos into some last gasp clearances with varying inswingers and outswingers. Kirby tipped one corner over his bar.

Eventually, Barnet went one down on about 25 minutes. However they were performing well, when Currell as captain thought Tom Salinger's skills would be best utilised at right wing, and switched him with Joel Ramos. Instantly, and on the half hour this led to Barnet's equaliser. A flick from Tommy Salinger, over the defence to Joel Ramous, sent the young striker free and he calmly slotted the ball away. (This was 'Midas' Salinger's second touch in total in the two games he played. Both led to goals. It was his only touch of the ball leaving him with a strike rate of 100%. On this form Salinger is promising but he needs to get more involved in games and kerb his Cinderella tendancy in the thick of things.)

After this, Barnet continued to frustrate, high flying QPR, and it was clear that QPR were rattled. Debutant Carl Swain, and Silvio Gradoni were bossing the midfield. Gradoni, putting in a very professional performance which rattled the opposition. QPR relentlessly complained to the referee about Barnet's spoiling tactics.

At half time, some shrewd observations from Andy Cosier, sent the bees out with a spring in their step, and confidence that they could get something out of the game.

A hearty challenge from Matt Dodimead immediately after the interval, was met with a reaction from the QPR centre midfielder. Dodimead actually won the free kick. Things threatened to get out of hand for a while with Rangers complaining about Gradoni. Soon afterwards, Barnet were shocked to have a free kick awarded against them for a backpass after Currell's interception was picked up for Kirby.

On the hour mark Andy Cosier came on for Salinger. Suffering from a bad back this was a brave thing for Cosier to do. Normally, a centre back, he played centre forward to give the bees an outlet. Jake Manzi switched with Dodimead and this was an effective switch.

Joel Ramos broke free late on with about 10 minutes on the clock, and Carl Swain was running forward in acres of space, but young Ramos was caught in two minds, and missed the chance.

Swain also made a great break down the left wing, beating four QPR players, before one brought him down. Frustratingly, he was clear of his markers when the referee blew up for a free kick.

Ramos' form continues to impress. It will be exciting in future to see him link up with both Clayton, and Fenton, and the Barnet squad for Cherrywood Road, promises well with three proven and in form goalscorers to choose from.

Towards the end of the game QPR threw men forward, chasing three points which would see them well placed in the internet league. Sav Alavi, did well to make a last gasp clearance which left a big gash of the leg of David Kirby his goalkeeper.

QPR nicked it right at the end, which gave them three points. Barnet had no time to respond, and again frustrating the referee blew up for time, when Barnet thought they had the chance to get everyone forward including Kirby for one last attack.

This left the Barnet manager extremely proud of his team at the end. Things are moving along very nicely in preparation for the Cherrywood Road tournament. Both youth teamers in the squad played superbly, and we thank them for their efforts , and look forward to them returning. Both are guaranteed to feature in the squad for Cherrywood Road if available. It also poses interesting selection dilemmas when everyone is fit and available. We are hoping to bring back the silverware from Farnborough and are in negotiations to use the Barnet first team coach, for this event.

When it comes to naming a man of the match, it is interesting to hear the views of the opposition, and debutants. They were glowing in the praise of our centre backs in particular, and young Joel Ramos. Oliver Minton wins the man of the match award once again. Special praise goes to Gerry Currell as dependable as ever, and Simon Sav Alavi, versatile and assured, Matt Dodimead, for his best performance, particularly defensively to date. Also to Jake Manzi, for a composed and classy debut at full back. Finally to Carl Swain, and Silvio Gradoni, who did the dirty work in the engine room, and kept driving the team on.

QPR praised Barnet at the end of the game, and said that they were one of the best teams they had played. This being, commendable to a Barnet scratch side. It augurs well for the future when other players return.

We also thank poor Andy Francis for his efforts, and wish him a speedy return to full fitness.

Next on the agenda was supposed to be Barnet v AFC Wimbledon on Easter Saturday. However the police have insisted this match be brought forward to 12:30am which means Wimbledon are unavailable. Instead Barnet are trying to line up Watford at home for next week.

However after another defeat , the question is will John Hunt, last the Farnborough tournament, as terrace rumblings at Underhill, is that the Football Club Barnet Football Club Supporters Association, Supporters Association (FCBFCSASA) are getting restless with the defeats the team is suffering, and the axe is being sharpened.