MAGPIES STUNG BY THE BEES!
BARNET’S players and fans lauded a performance that fully warranted their hard-earned point against a Notts County side whose body language, in contrast, depicted that of a team that had wasted an opportunity in their title bid.
The Magpies took lead in the 42nd minute when the prolific Macaulay Langstaff neatly finished off an incisive move for his 37th league goal of the season.
But with only seconds remaining of the half, Idris Kanu rose the highest from Jordan Cropper’s long throw to head the home team level.
“That draw feels like a loss because we made a mistake 20 seconds before halftime,” said dejected County boss Luke Williams.
“Apart from that we were very good in the first half, but we missed some good opportunities.
“In the second half we were terrible, really terrible, we didn’t look after the ball well enough. Late on, we had a few chances, but so did they!”
Both teams were buoyed by midweek victories but it was County who took hold an early hold of the game, enjoying the bulk of possession and forcing numerous corners.
John Bostock was bossing the midfield and with their forwards, Langstaff and Sam Austin, giving the Barnet rear guard a busy afternoon, the visitors looked well set.
Barnet were stunned into action by going behind and immediately started to put County on the defensive and were quickly rewarded when Idris headed home.
The second half belonged to the Bees and had Nicke Kambamba showed a modicum more composure they could have forged a lead which their endeavour deserved.
“Notts ask you a lot of questions, they are “Man City-esque”, said Bees head coach Dean Brennan. “They are so well coached, they play with a lot of width and ask a lot of you defensively.
“It was a great time for us to score ,we were then able to settle the team down at halftime and set about making more contacts in their half and not play so deep in our own half.
“We could then play own game and in the end we had some fantastic chances to win the game.”
Barnet had a reasonable claim for a penalty denied late on after substitute Courtney Senior had made an impressive charge down the left flank before cutting inside; with Referee Farai Hallam deeming the tackle lawful.
Williams added:” We had chances when we pushed forward at the end, and in a normal season we might have played in a more reserved fashion, knowing a draw away from home would be a good point, but this season we simply have to win.”
STAR MAN: Jerome Okimo (Barnet)
ATT: 2,969
ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★
REFEREE: Farai Hallam