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Intensity And Excitement
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Free-flowing front-footed football…
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By:
Max Bygraves
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21/09/2025
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This article has been viewed 572 times.
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Fantastic. Having not been fortunate enough to make what sounded like an extraordinarily fun trip to Crewe last week, the long wait to witness a win is finally over. And what a way to do it. Outstanding.
Walking away from the chaotic performance against Shrewsbury a fortnight ago, it was hard to feel too optimistic about two upcoming matches against sides that had started well. Yet here we are, six points better off and the place consumed by a very different energy this Saturday at 5pm.
It had been a long time since I’d seen Barnet play Grimsby Town. Fifteen years in fact since quite probably the worst away day of all time. Anyone who also had the misfortune of visiting Blundell Park for the infamous relegation six pointer in May 2010 will know what I’m talking about. Let’s be polite and say it was an incredibly hostile atmosphere. Pitch invasions, police horses galloping across the pitch to keep the locals at bay, intimidation and threats from leaving the ground until we were well out of town. A truly horrible memory. So before we go any further, I really don’t like Grimsby.
They’ve obviously got a lot of deserved headlines so far this season for their league cup exploits. Their defeat of Manchester United was global news and followed up with a win at Hillsborough this week, showing they’re clearly a decent outfit. Back in 2010, despite the misery on Humberside, we had the last laugh the following week as they dropped to non-league. They took a while to get back but have largely stabilised in League Two since their return in 2016, aside from popping back for a solitary season in the National League in 21/22. Based on their start to the season, perhaps a tilt at promotion to the third tier is in store this year. The sizeable away following suggested a club with a feel-good factor at present.
Barnet lined up with an interesting looking formation. Interesting in its simplicity and almost ‘old school’ approach. From the off, as we have on almost all occasions I can recall seeing it under Brennan, we looked very comfortable with a flat back four. The difference in the rest of the shape being a diamond midfield and two up front. Let’s party like it’s 1999.
It was a bright start and set the tone of things to come. With the exception of Ofoborh, everyone in the front six from the previous season. Continuity led to greater cohesion. Immediately, we looked more confident, fluid and free-flowing than in any other game at The Hive this season. The front two were particularly effective, Stead had that zip in his play that perhaps we hadn’t quite seen as yet. Ndlovu is not the greatest technical footballer in the world but he is just so incredibly effective for us. A great fit.
As the first half ticked by, there was a little bit of worry that we wouldn’t make our dominance pay. Grimsby did venture forward a few times. Justin Amalzour on their right hand side looked very much primed for a customary goal against his old side. His impact on the game diminished rapidly, however.
After a Glover header and a Ndlovu poke went just wide and tested the keeper respectively, the breakthrough came just before the break.
Shelton’s corner swung in and went behind everyone. Ofoborh reacted quickest and opened his Barnet account with an unusual bounced effort which cannoned back off the turf and beyond the goalkeeper into the top corner. The slight surprise element of the way it went in made their celebrations even more enjoyable.
It should have been 2-0 at half time. Ndlovu did the hard bit but couldn’t finish and dragged his effort well wide. This prompted some stick from the travelling mass behind the goal, to which he promptly chose to remind them of the score. Good lad.
Half time conversations were pretty conclusive that this was the best we’d looked so far. Again, I wasn’t sampling anything from the bar at this one, but the queues still snaking a little more than they look like they ought to be with the pre-pour. One added feature that was noted for the next home game when I’ll have the kids with me was the appearance of a face painter by the entrance to the bar. If she’s there for Accrington, I should imagine she’ll do ok out of us. Small steps but little extra bits being added and the refurbed entrance to the stand too, it all makes a difference. Next for a stand behind the goal, after hearing Brennan’s post match. I completely understand his point about being able to roar the ball in from behind a goal.
The first half was good, the second was brilliant. We came out and played with huge intensity. It was exciting to watch. So many players really in their stride and looking a lot more like what we’re used to. Glover, Kanu and Stead utterly relentless in their closing down and movement with and without the ball.
The second goal, which finally arrived on 65 minutes, typified the intensity and front-footed approach. Stead closed down, then Glover. The defender cleared his lines but only to his team mate who was quickly dispossessed by an increasingly robust Idris Kanu. The move ended with Ndlovu tucking away a carbon copy of his season opener at Crewe last week. 2-0 and given the performance to this point, this felt decisive.
For anyone of a nervous disposition, what happened three minutes later surely shook off any doubt about where the points were going. Nnamdi Ofoborh curled in an utter beauty from outside the box to make it comprehensive. It was one of those moments where everyone says ‘shoot’ but it’s not often it ends quite as spectacularly. A goal fitting for an excellent performance. He rightly very much enjoyed his moment in front of the fans.
After the third goal, a number of substitutions were made but we didn’t let up. Ronnie Stutter was given a debut amongst others. It was clear those coming on were keen to impact and try and give the manager something to think about. Whilst another goal didn’t arrive, it remained only Barnet that looked like scoring. An extremely quiet afternoon for Slicker in goal.
After six minutes of stoppage time, under incredibly dark skies, it was finally time to celebrate a first home win since the title winning day in late April. A superb performance throughout. The closest comparison I can think of was the showing against York back in February. Definitely some parallels there in terms of both individual and collective performances.
Although a game dominated by attacking positives, a mention to the defence. Solid displays across the back line. Senior looks a great addition. Tavares fit makes all the difference. Collinge was perhaps the pick of the bunch - back to his very best; his reading of the game really of the highest level. And fair play to Kane Smith. Dean Brennan clearly rates him, he’s had some challenging afternoons thus far but he did a good job at left back today. Perhaps a consistent role in the team will see sustained performances of this kind of level.
Impossible not to walk away from this one feeling hugely positive. It’s a fickle and changeable sport isn’t it? We are still at such an early stage where two results on the spin can change the outlook so much. Looking up rather than down is always welcome. No attempt here to try and predict the next few games but you feel the team will be going into them with more belief. Let’s see if that confidence can continue to take us onwards and upwards.
One last thing before departure from the ground. We’ve had to highlight the horrible non-winning music in recent weeks. Where was Depeche Mode after a victory? Whilst not the most original of choices given its wider use in football (still more original than the abominable Sweet Caroline), it had become synonymous with happy times over the past few seasons. It’s simple and effective. Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa’s ‘One Kiss’ being used instead after this victory…let’s make that a one off, shall we? I believe that was football’d by Liverpool at a trophy parade initially. That shouldn’t be our inspiration - and it just doesn’t work. Not a football song.
Unless it was in reference to Ofoborh’s celebration after the third and it’s going to change each week? If that’s the case, I’m intrigued at what the DJ has got up their sleeve. Could be a fun game.
A lot of clubs let fans select a pre match playlist. I recall we did this for the play offs a couple of seasons back. How about a vote on end of game music from a few choices? Fans could submit these beforehand with the top four going to poll. Dare I say it, even the run out music at the start? Whilst normally one for citing everything from the old days of Barnet as better (off to polish the rose tinted glass after this), Sweet Child O’ Mine has never massively done it for me. There, I said it.
Great to go to bed on a Saturday night still buzzing from a win and wake up on Sunday with a smile. Long may it continue.
Bring Barnet Back
Finally, hopefully this morning you’ve already read the Update from Bring Barnet Back.
Although the club have made some improvements to The Hive facilities and the talk of a new stand behind one of the goal has come up on the back of yesterday, this cannot be our long term home. We need to get our local club back into its local community.
We were all disappointed at the planning committee’s decision in July if not surprised. As is hopefully very clear from the update, there has been no wallowing in disappointment and there is a lot going on behind the scenes. For obvious reasons, not everything can be public at this stage and there’ll be another update when more can be shared.
In the meantime, keep the faith and continue to bang the drum. Don’t forget about it, keep making people aware, have those car stickers proudly on display. It’s a collective effort. We’ve said it many times but it’s true - together, let’s Bring Barnet Back.
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