Rudderless Hereford United sank to another defeat at Barnet this afternoon and are now firmly anchored at the bottom of the Football League. The Bulls looked hopelessly short of direction and despite an occasional glimpse of navigational sense were on the whole comfortably outmanoeuvred and beaten by goals from former loanee Mark Marshall and a freak own goal at Underhill.
Beleaguered manager, Simon Davey, once again stubbornly stuck to his three man midfield naming a side that included the returning Tony James in a back division that saw him partnered with Michael Townsend and flanked by Richard Rose and Ryan Valentine. A narrow midfield trio of Wee Jimmy, Kenny Lunt and Sam Gwynne sat behind Guillam Bauza with Fleets and Canham up top.
Barnet elected to play down the slope in the opening period and had the first threat on goal when Tony James was harshly penalised just outside the box. Fortunately, the chance came to nothing. Bausa forced a corner but McQuilkin's flag kick failed to create a chance then Richard Rose did well to clear from Marshall. But the hosts took the lead just inside fifteen minutes when Gwynne lost possession in midfield to allow Kabba to side-step Rose and feed Marshall who fired across Bartlett from just inside the box. The Bulls tried to counter as Lunt picked out Canham who managed to direct the ball through to Fleetwood but home keeper Cole was out quickly to block. Fleetwood was looking lively and seemed to be relishing his rare opportunity as a central striker but threat came to a premature end when he had to be replaced after around thirty-five minutes with what looked like a back twist. He was replaced by Manset.
McQuilkin brought a save from Cope and Bausa saw an effort go just over but Barnet, with ex-Bull Glen Southam as their spare man in midfield were controlling the game. The Bulls huffed and puffed but being outnumbered in the vital midfield area was again their undoing. In truth, Southam, despite his obvious lack of fitness, was able to find space and time simply because The Bulls midfield were chasing shadows due to being outnumbered. The visitors had Bartlett to thank twice in quick succession as he palmed on effort over another round the post.
HT Barnet 1 Bulls 0
Southam left the field just five minutes into the second half following firm challenge by Sam Gwynne who had dished out a few thumping challenges in the first period. His departure seemed to inspire The Bulls for a while and some passing movements developed which, on another day, might have produced more. Manset fired wide from distance and Canham was off target before being replaced by Colbeck with twenty minutes to go. Wee Jimmy drew a save from Cope when he let fly from the edge of the box and at the other end, Bartlett prevented Kabba and Marshall adding to the score.
Both teams looked extremely lightweight and a goal from either of the two poor sides looked unlikely until Valentine turned a back-pass towards Bartlett for what should have been a regulation punt upfield. However, as Barts swung his boot, the ball took the slightest of touches and gently trickled into the back of the net to give the hosts a somewhat fortunate but unassailable two-goal lead. The final ten minutes produced little more than a repeat of the choruses inviting the departure of Simon Davey and it was a very depressed couple of hundred Bulls fans who trooped away from Underhill following one of the most lacklustre performances ever witnessed on the grass of North London.
FT Barnet 2 Bulls 0
This was as close to shambolic as it’s been for many years Mr Davey. For the umpteenth time this season, a side barely over Pub Team standards has profited from your generosity in offering an understrength engine room when a little thought and application should have seen them off. It was described as a “must win” which first of all translates to “must not lose”. Has it actually occurred to you that two strikers and a man in the hole leaves just three men to battle with four and sometimes five opposition players? No, obviously not.
Does anyone know if the 1970s manager of Widemarsh United is doing anything at the moment?
Frustrated, depressed, angry and desperate to climb off the fence.
Text at top (next game etc)
Next Game: Rushall At Home In The League On Saturday 30th November At 3.00pm