SPIREITES ARE HIT WITH A BAMB
NICKE Kabamba hammered a mas- sive dent in Chesterfield’s title hopes with a blistering hat-trick in Barnet’s convincing victory at the Hive.
Paul Cook’s Spireites went into the game on the back of four straight wins and looking to pile pressure on Wrexham and Notts County above them.
But they had no answer to the powerful striker whose treble ensured it’s eight games unbeaten for the Bees, now well established themselves in the play-off places.
“The first goal is always crucial in the game and Barnet got it,” Cook said.
“In the second half, we started the game as well we’ve played in for a long time. We’ve 10-15 mins where we had a couple of big chances and we had to score.
“That was us chasing the game and unfortunately, by the first goal, it stops you from being patient and we were susceptible to counter attacks. They were soft goals to concede, but it’s football.”
Kabamba made his intentions known early, bursting through and striking a low driving effort but Spireites goalkeeper Lucas Covolan guessed right and saved to his right.
Covolan was then called upon to pull off two important saves to deny Harry Pritchard and Kamamba at the near post as Barnet continued to probe.
Then, on 33 minutes, they found a way through when Kabamba timed his run to perfection to meet a corner and the 29-year-old poked the ball into the far post to gave the home side the lead.
Chesterfield almost fashioned out an equaliser before half-time when Armando Dobra whipped a dangerous cross and picked out Tim Akinola but his effort was saved by Laurie Walker’s trailing legs.
The Spireites upped the ante in search of an equaliser after the break with Jeff King striking a deflected shot from the right flank but Danny Collinge made a sensational goal-line clearance.
The visitors launched a series of counter attacks although a stubborn Barnet backline limited their goal scoring chances.
And with 12 minutes reas maining, Barnet were rewarded for their endeavours when Kabamba capitalised on loose possession and blasted his curling effort past Covolan.
It didn’t take long for Kabamba to claim his hattrick – seven minutes later, he raced past the Chesterfield defence to poke the ball home into the corner.
“We sold him [Kabamba] the dream in the summer,” admiring Barnet boss Dean Brennan said of his striker. “He believed in what I said to him and he is reaping the rewards now.
“He has found himself a good home and a manager that believes in him.” ★★★★★