Barnet 0 Stevenage Borough 3

Nationwide Conference

Barnet gave a poor display in a suprise 3-0 home defeat by Stevenage Borough on Boxing Day. It left them fifth in the table, 12 points behind Dagenham, who regained top spot with a 4-2 win at Hayes.

It was only Barnet's second loss in 12 games, and for Stevenage, it was their first win in six matches, following four defeats and a draw.

"I am very disappointed - we didn't produce anything at all apart from two headers late in the game," said manager John Still: "We've an enormous amount to do to catch Dagenham now. But we can't let one result change the way we think, and we shall continue to attack and go all out for a win".

The Bees' shortcomings were aptly summed up by defender Mark Arber, who said: "It was as though we were still celebrating Christmas Stevenage were first to the ball every time. Hopefully it will give us the kick up the backside we need for the return on New Year's Day."

Barnet's attacking skills were stifled by tight marking and they seldom threatened.

Stevenage manager Paul Fairclough said: "Our plan was to stay close to John Doolan and Leon Bell in midfield and prevent them setting up moves, and it worked.

"Barnet are a very good side, and we've done well today, but we know they will come to us next week hungry for revenge."

Barnet had an early let-off when Stevenage's Sam McMahon sent a shot against the bar after six minutes.

But there was no escape in the 19th minute when Stevenage went ahead. Sam Goodliffe sent a long free-kick to Simon Wormull, whose cross from the right was met by Dudley Campbell with a drive into the top corner of the net.

Barnet had plenty of possession, but Stevenage keeper Paul Wilkerson was not tested until the 32nd minute when he clutched a rising shot from Ben Strevens.

That was soon followd by a storming run from Mark Gower, who elduded four opponents, only to shoot wide.

Frazer Toms should have equalised three minutes into the second half, but his shot sailed high over the bar.

Five minutes later, Barnet fell further behind when the defence failed to clear a cross, and McMahon fired high into the net.

The Bees' fate was sealed in the 68th minute when Doolan was robbed by McMahon, who provided the pass for Jean-Michel Sigere to fire a shot inside the far post for Stevenage's third goal.

BARNET: Harrison, Gledhill, Heald, Arber, Sawyers, Gower (Midgley 63), Bell, Doolan, Toms (Berkley 79), Strevens, Purser. Attendance: 2,456.

December 28, 2001 10:28

JOHN POLLARD