“Amazing. Wonderful. It’s Life” – Charlie and his family are back at the football

Barnet 0 : 0 Wealdstone

The euphoria among those few fans allowed back by the COVID-19 rules was palpable in Canons Park yesterday as Barnet FC hosted once North London rivals Wealdstone FC at the Hive.

Beneath his mask and under the watchful eye if his family, Charlie aged 17, could barely express his glee at the chance to watch his beloved Bees again:

“Amazing. Wonderful. It’s Life!”

There was plenty life on the pitch with goal chances aplenty but headers went over, great saves were made and to defenders’ credit, brave blocks were made.

It didn’t quite seem 20th against 10th as an enthusiastic Barnet side bridged any apparent quality gap in the first half, despite the best efforts of Wealdstone number 18 Alex Dyer, through whom most of the Stones’ good work passed.

Inih Effiong looked a constant nuisance to the Stones’ defence but the finishing didn’t quite match his hard work.

After a well-earned half time “admonishment and encouragement” session from coach Dean Brennan, Wealdstone emerged from the interval with renewed zip and were on the attack for most of the second half, bar a 40 second spell when Effiong headed over from yet another excellent Anthony Wordsworth set piece and blasted just wide from long range.

It was an evening of spectacular skies in Middlesex

All photos: Steven Clare/Prost International

The introduction of substitute Jorome Slew nearly turned the game for Wealdstone.

Within 45 seconds of entering the game,  he had created its best chance producing the game’s best save from Bees ‘keeper Scott Loach. It wasn’t his only save; one from a scramble in his box in the first half also being outstanding.

Barnet centre half Ben Nugent was once again in commanding form. One defensive header while running towards his own goal was well worthy of his goalkeeper’s congratulations. For a man of such exorbitant height, he stoops superbly in such situations to direct the ball away from danger.

With Eastleigh, Woking and Wrexham all losing, Wealdstone actually rose three places to 7th with this point. They trail third place Notts County by just two points although they would hardly class  this as playoff form.

Barnet remain 2oth with their fourth clean sheet of the league season, three of them in scoreless draws.

Elsewhere Bromley who started the day in third surprisingly lost 2-0 at home to Stockport and looked on in horror as Torquay, Sutton, Notts County and Maidenhead all won.

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