BEES BUZZING WITH MOMENTUM
PLAY-OFFS
BOREHAM Wood almost fell out of the top seven after losing six of their last nine matches as Yeovil Town took third spot to qualify for the semi-finals, losing only once during their run-in to Stockport County.
The big movers were Barnet, who were able to capitalise on their games in hand to finish in fifth. The Bees only won three of their eight games in a manic April but ultimately it was enough as they played Saturday-Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday in the final week of the season.
There was a nice moment for striker Alfie Pavey in the penultimate game of the campaign, returning from his long injury lay-off to score the winner against Dagenham & Redbridge.
The play-off eliminator round saw Notts County get past Boreham Wood with relative ease. Wood’s poor form continued and Notts went ahead through Cal Roberts in the first minute. Luke Garrard’s side did find a way back through Tyrone Marsh but ex-Burton Albion striker Will Miller, a new signing for the Magpies on a free, soon put them back ahead before half-time. Wes Thomas then sealed the win with 20 minutes left.
In the other tie, Barnet showed no signs of tiredness following their gruelling run-in and went the distance with FC Halifax Town. Benjamin Gleditsch, brought in by Darren Currie on a free from Poole Town, was the unlikely first goal scorer before Jamie Allen equalised. An entertaining clash headed into extra time where promising young striker Josh Walker stabbed in the winner.
There was more drama to come for Barnet in their semi-final tie at Harrogate Town. The in-form Jack Muldoon put the hosts ahead but Dion Pereira, the former Watford and Atlanta United winger, signed on a free by Currie, quickly equalised.
Pereira was the best player on the pitch and when the game went to a penalty shootout, he unsurprisingly tucked his away. Warren Burrell missed his spot kick to give Barnet a dramatic 5-4 victory.
Yeovil Town eased into the Wembley final with a 3-0 victory over Notts County. Jimmy Smith gave the Glovers the lead before half-time and from there the result never looked in doubt.
Charlie Lee and Gabby Rogers both scored in the second half as midfielder Matt Worthington assisted all three goals in a man of the match performance.
And so to the showdown under the arch…
It was a disaster for Yeovil as injuries ruined their game plan in the first half. Goalkeeper Stuart Nelson was injured with a gashed leg and replaced by Liam O’Brien and then a minute later left-back Tom Bradbury had to go off.
As part of the reshuffle, Darren Sarll opted to take off striker Rhys Murphy, who seemingly wasn’t injured, and replace him with Courtney Duffus but Barnet capitalised on the chaos and fullback Elliott Johnson put them ahead.
Yeovil were rocked and the talented Ephron Mason-Clark made it two before half-time with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Barnet were able to see the game out and in his first full season in charge, Currie had taken the club back to the Football League.