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Barnet FC 2 - 1 Rochdale AFC

Journey:

13:45, Spotland Stadium. None of my usual travelling companions would be making the trip down to 'that' London tonight. However, I would not be making the trip alone. My passenger this afternoon would be Mr. Brookes.

With himself safely installed in the front seat I headed for the motorway. Having Mr. Brookes along for the trip had one immediate benefit - my hormonal SatNav, Jane, would not be required. The lion's share of twenty years touring the stadia of England's lower leagues meant that I would be guided today by BrookesNav.

M62, M60, M62, M6, M6TOLL, M42, M1, M25 - some wiggly bits in rural Hertfordshire - and bingo - we were at Underhill.

There had been two areas of concern on the trip southwards:

1) The weather. Typical Rochdale weather had given way to rain. Lots and lots of rain. By the time we had passed Birmingham it was absolutely tipping it down. Our arrival in Barnet was greeted by a swirling gale and a torrential downpour.

2) Mr. Brookes had been got at. I am convinced of it. Everyone who gets in my car feels it is OK to pass some negative comment about the contents of my I-Pod. I am certain Mr. Keane is behind this in some way. I just can't work out how he is doing it. Mr. Brookes comments were as follows:

'Have you ever let a psychologist listen to your I-Pod?'

'No...'

'I wouldn't.'

When will this hate campaign ever end?

There was one further area of concern. Due to other commitments Dale's official photographer could not make the trip to Barnet. So I volunteered. How hard could it be? I have taken loads of photo's - many of which don't include my finger. Plus I had the use of Mr. Brookes camera - complete with zoom lense. Should be a doddle.

With instructions to find 'somewhere in the stand with a good view and take a few pictures', I set off. I did as I was told. I found somewhere with an excellent view. Unfortunately, it happened to be the directors box. In due course some very large men politely ushered my away. After some hasty explaining and showing of passes I was guided through a small gate and onto the side of the pitch.

Lots of odd things have happened to me this season. But standing on the edge of the pitch as Joe Thompson and Will Buckley warmed up in front of me, with the Barnet manager screaming down my earhole, as I tried to affect the confident manner of a professional photographer is by far the oddest.

Food:

A stop at the services on the way to Underhill meant that I had already taken in my quota of water and dust for today. Consequently the gastronomic delights of Barnet remained a mystery to me.

Ground:

A large seated main stand on one side flanked by a smaller covered area and an open terrace facing a large covered terrace - part of which was allocated to the away fans (291 of them tonight). A small modern seated stand at one end and an uncovered terrace with an adjacent small, covered seating area at the other.

The pitch, allowing for the famous slope, was beautifully manicured - for tonights encounter the ground staff had favoured us with a tartan pattern.

Not the most spectacular ground in the world (the smallest capacity in English league football) - but amazingly well maintained. Someone clearly puts a lot of effort into keeping it up to snuff.

That said, the directors box wasn't up to much.

Action:

News. 800 Dale fans have already bought their tickets for the Trans-Heywood derby game. A rare full house at Gigg Lane would appear to be on the cards. Dale's new signing, Craig Dawson, has been loaned back to Radcliffe Borough for the rest of the season, although I understand that he continues to train with the Rochdale squad.

There would be one change to the side which saw off Grimsby at the weekend. Lee McEvilly would replace Lee Thorpe at centre forward.

As the elf-like Mr. Ward got procedings underway - I discovered that I had a fairly serious issue. Photographing a football match isn't a doddle at all. By the time you have done all the focussing stuff - whatever you had planned to photograph has long since gone. To make matters worse the typhoon that was strutting its stuff over London had actually got worse - which meant that I spent more time wiping the lense/camera down than I did taking pictures. I really didn't think this through. Anyway, while I faffed around with my borrowed camera, there was a game on.

Both sides struggled with the conditions, however, Barnet who were playing uphill seemed to settle the better and created a selection of good opportunities. O'Flynn and Deverdics both going close for the Bee's. Dale, playing downhill and into the wind, were struggling to pass the ball around. In spite of that they also managed to create chances to take the lead. The best of them being a Wiseman header and a long range effort from St. Adam.

As half time approached it seemed that in spite of both sides attacking aspirations the treachrous weather would ensure that honours would remain even at 0-0.

However, around the 40 minute mark the weather would lend a hand. To Barnet. A Fielding goal kick soared up into the tempest - as it got to the half way line, it stopped in mid-air and then reversed itself back towards the Rochdale goal. Bishop for Barnet was the most alert to the situation and won the ball as it dropped back to earth and a neat lay off saw O'Fynn bearing down on the Fielding. His powerful, low finish left young Frank with little chance. 1-0 Barnet.

The Bee's lead would not last for long though. Deep into first half stoppage time Rochdale won a corner. Adam's delivered a pacy, flighted ball which found Toner unmarked in the six yard area. Toner's header to the back post found a lurking McEvilly who had the simple task of tickling the ball over the line. 1-1.

As the players trudged towards the balmier climes of the changing rooms - I had a stroke of luck. The battery on the camera ran out. My brief and somewhat ill-starred career as a photographer was over. I imagine the photographic profession heaved a collective sigh of relief.

Being part of t' media I was allowed into the press lounge at half time. I was quietly hugging a cup of coffee to thaw out my hands when I noticed a familiar face. Sometime Chelsea favourite and the only manager besides Keith Hill to take Dale to the play-off's - John Hollins. I did think about talking to him. I really did. However, on reflection I decided that my default position of remaining silent and looking slightly gormless would probably work best.

In the second half two things were pretty clear. Rochdale were happy with a point. Barnet weren't.

Dale conjoured up a few decent efforts courtesy of St. Adam and Rundle - but seemed happier to defend what they had. Barnet on the other hand slashed at the Rochdale defences with ever increasing vigour. The Bee's Adomah down the right turning the usually rock solid Kennedy inside out seemingly at will.

It was far from pretty, but Rochdale applied themselves to the task and it seemed that in spite of all of Barnet's attractive build up play - the Bee's would remain frustrated.

...and then things went a bit wobbly.

From the 70 minute mark Rochdale had started to make substitutions. Thorpe for McEvilly on 70. Shaker Maker for Rundle on 72. Dagnall for St. Adam on 78.

On 88 minutes Dagnall made a rather agricultural lunge at Bishop. He had been aiming to take the ball - I am pretty convinced of that - however when he missed it completely the consequences were inevitable. Bishop collapsed in a rather theatrical heap, Mr. Ward rummaged in his back pocket and Dagnall's part in procedings were done. Straight red.

Still, with only minutes of regular time and some stoppage time to negotiate - it seemed that Dale would walk away with their point. Sadly not.

Deep into injury time Barnet won a throw in - just in line with the 18 yard area. A Barnet shirt flicked the ball on to the previously anonymous Bolasie who found that the Dale defences had parted before him. He didn't waste any time. 2-1 Barnet.

Summary:

On paper at least, this tie looked very winable. Considering the conditions a point would have been very acceptable. However, taking into account Barnet's perilous league position, very few (including me) had anticipated that they would put up such a credible fight.

They say that the league table does not lie - particularly at this time in the season. In Barnet's case it does. This was not the rather flaky outfit who visited Spotland early in the season. They have a host of decent players - Albert Adomah shone throughout ( I spent the second half in the main stand - every time Adomah got the ball I was deafened by shouts of 'Albert!') as did O'Flynn and Lockwood. They were good value for their win. Weather or no weather. If they continue to perform like they did tonight - Barnet have no relegation concerns whatsoever.

Rochdale were good - although they really did struggle with the weather - they were just not good enough in the end.

As for my photography, after all the shots of grass, sky and my feet were removed, only a handful of useable photo's remained.

You can see them here.

Turner Watch:

Mr. Turner assures us that he will make his triumphant return for the Trans-Heywood Derby.

3/03/09