Jamal’s scorcher has Bees on the rise
BARNET manager Mark McGhee lauded Jamal Campbell-Ryce’s performance as they climbed out of the relegation zone thanks to victory over Morecambe.
Campbell-Ryce’s fine goal from distance on the half-hour mark put Barnet in front and Jack Taylor doubled their lead five minutes later.
John Akinde missed a second-half penalty before Adam Campbell pulled a goal back but McGhee was pleased by Campbell-Ryce’s display as the Bees claimed their second victory under the former Motherwell boss’s tenure.
“He was terrific. He got us into the lead not just with the nature of the goal but by his running. It came from nowhere, it seemed to fly – a fantastic strike,” said McGhee.
“We got it into areas where Jamal can get on the ball and create stuff and that’s exactly how it panned out.”
He added: “Psychologically, it’s a great lift because bottom of the league is not a pretty thing.
“It’s not something you can ignore. It’s pretty embarrassing. I get people say to me: ‘where are you in the league?’
“You’re hoping that they’re not going to ask you that question. At least I can say we’re not bottom.”
Morecambe manager Jim Bentley was scathing in his assessment of his team’s dislplay.
“Hand on heart, I could have made 11 changes at half-time. In every department, I thought we were poor. Performance levels weren’t up to scratch,” he said.
“We’ve got some players where we know what we’re going to get and we’ve got some players who are eight out of ten and drop to a three, so that’s no good to me.”
After an uneventful opening 30 minutes, man-of-thematch CampbellRyce lit up the contest.
The 34-yearold wide man cut infield and with Morecambe’s defenders retreating, looped a curling effort from 30 yards over goalkeeper Barry Roche into the far corner.
Taylor made it 2-0 after Akinde delayed his pass well to slip the midfielder through and he finished neatly into the bottom corner.
After the break, Morecambe’s Andy Fleming hit the bar and substitute Callum Lang fluffed a great chance.
Akinde won Barnet’s penalty after 67 minutes after he was brought down by a Roche foul but fired over.
Three minutes later, Campbell guided home a bouncing ball magnificently but Barnet held on for all three points.