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Mega
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One for the all-timer list there…
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By:
Max Bygraves
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19/04/2026
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This article has been viewed 516 times.
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Strap yourselves in. This was a good one.
When I sent my dad an early morning selfie of me and the kids in the car about to depart for the East Midlands, the reply was: “But you hate going to Notts County?!”
Whilst my reply of, “I like Nottingham, though!” was very much accurate, I can see where he was coming from. In my four previous visits to Meadow Lane, a solitary point and no goals for Barnet witnessed; not a happy hunting ground.
Granted, my last visit to watch us here was in January 2010 when I was still a resident of the let’s go with, ‘characterful’ city of Nottingham as a student. A place I hold very dear to my heart and have revisited countless times since leaving sixteen years ago - however, Meadow Lane has never been the reason for a return until now.
It’s fair to say this would be different to prior Notts County away days in many ways. With their mum away on a girls’ weekend, the sensible way to fill a good chunk of 48 hours solo parenting a 4 and 5 year old was of course to go and watch a 4th division match over 100 miles away. I’m under no illusions they are young for all of this but want to be very clear that no one needed dragging out the door. There was plenty of Saturday morning excitement over the breakfast table. An early start was made to cater for some pre match fun of an alternative nature to the norm.
I always thought my happy place on an away day was a rattling train and the sound of cans opening too early for the rest of society. I’m not saying that isn’t to be fair, but it turns out that motoring up the M1 in the spring sunshine with some family car karaoke to Oasis, Arctic Monkeys, Kasabian and our anthem of the day, The Beautiful Ones by Suede, is a bloody good way to begin a day out.
It was still the am when we parked up in Nottingham, via a whistlestop detour past my former places of living. Quite hard to explain a halls of residence to youngsters of that age. An awful lot that you can’t say, too. To anyone, really.
Park and ride on the tram network at the usual parking spot for a Nottingham visit. We were soon in town and at our pre-match venue of choice. Whilst I could bemoan the fact a number of my favourite public houses in Nottingham are no longer there anymore, this wouldn’t be relevant for our choice of establishment. An hour was spent in The Kitty Cafe fantastically placed on Spaniel Row(!) in the centre of town. My wallet groaned from the entrance/‘welfare’ fee and very mediocre food serving, but the rest of my away day crew were in their element.
Time had also been spent this week getting them familiar with the story of Robin Hood. As above, just a different kind of away day prep and planning to give it the all round experience. We had certainly had our fill of Nottingham, via the castle and Robin Hood statue as we made our way to County’s place.
Meadow Lane hasn’t changed much over the years but it was like a completely different arena to any other visit. Watching the game with a proper crowd in and an atmosphere felt like the totally new experience it was. The tannoy was exceptionally loud, but I do tip my hat to the build up music - big fan of Nightmare - Brainbug being blasted as the teams lined up for the handshakes. Building.
Such build up felt appropriate given the explosive start to the game itself. Both teams showed willing from the off and it looked like we should have been in front within 30 seconds as Stead squandered the first opportunity. Hard to properly tell from our vantage point but it looked a real chance.
In the first eleven minutes, we had some hair-raising (well, not for me but those of you not so follically challenged) punching from Slicker, a Glover header going close and a chance for Ndlovu to haunt us which he didn’t take.
There was no real time given for an ovation for one of our champions nor did he really acknowledge us. Context is key. If there’d been nothing on the game, I imagine some level of love-in would’ve taken place. Another time.
It has to be said, it was a highly entertaining game throughout and the first third was no different. A local had said to us on the way in we should just roll over as we had nothing to fight for - the players clearly didn’t think this was the case. Both sides were going all out to win and it made for a very decent spectacle.
Talking of ‘very decent,’ Kabongo Tshimanga did his thing again and in some style after 32 minutes. Other than the ball hitting the net and his celebration confirming he’d been the one who’d put it in, I had no idea how the goal had happened at the time. Watching it back, it’s an outrageous finish. The cheek. The confidence. You rascal, Kabby.
We were blessed with some glorious, short sleeves level spring sunshine and it was very apparent our contingent wanted some fun in the sun. Scenes of delirium met the opener. 510 an away figure we could have only dreamed of taking that sort of distance a few years back. Outstanding support.
However, the delirium, joy and happiness was very short-lived. Just as I was thinking about reaching for my phone to check the other scores, we conceded a penalty. I’m reliably informed the ball had been back in play for 14 seconds when this happened.
Hard to tell even on the TV coverage for sure, but it looked clumsy from Glover. His reaction suggested more frustration at a mistake than outrage although he did treat us to an unblemished view of his quads such was his choice of clothing to pull at to let out his feeling. No one can argue that he’s not a beautiful man.
Jodi Jones stepped up, a player everyone was puzzled signed for this lot a few years ago and despite still seemingly being really bloody good, he’s still there now. Slicker’s penalty record this season has been more than reasonable but he couldn’t do anything about an exceptionally well dispatched spot kick. 1-1. Fun whilst it sort of lasted.
Before half time, we had another headed chance and then in the dying embers of the first half, Slicker produced a fantastic one handed stop when racing out to a one on one. It was some game.
At half time, you could very much feel the Dutch presence under the stand with our many Telstar visitors present once more. I’ve got nothing but positive things to say about these chaps. They’re clearly here for a good time and help boost the atmosphere. One or two of them had a bit of fun interaction with my youngest that he enjoyed. Very welcome visitors. Someone put something on OnlyBarnet a while ago asking if we’d like a ‘long-write explanation’ as to how on earth this came to be. Yes, is the answer. Get in touch via socials or the mailbox! Barnet and Telstar ole. When’s the pre-season away trip?
The second half started with similar frenzy. Adam Senior wasn’t too far off with a serious wallop in the early stages. Down the other end, fair to say something of a familiar sight. The ball flashed across the box and there was Lee Ndlovu at the back post, not connecting to put the ball into an empty net. I’m not denouncing his Barnet career here, he gave us plenty to smile about but you’re a liar if you can say that doesn’t sound like something we also saw with some considerable regularity. According to Brennan’s post match on BBC London, they paid us six figures for him…
News began to filter through from elsewhere. Chesterfield down to 10 men. Chesterfield now 1-0 down. We couldn’t, could we? Tshimanga hitting the post felt like maybe it wouldn’t be our day. I said something to the same effect in our WhatsApp group in about the 68th minute. Claiming I did that on purpose.
What. A. Moment.
Stead cut in from the left. Things seemed to slow down as this happened and the clarity of vision over the next few seconds was great. One that won’t be forgotten. I’m saying he was going for a curled effort at goal but hadn’t really put enough behind it. It was going towards a comfortable save for the keeper when our fox in the box intervened. Tshimanga got an all important touch to redirect the flight of the ball and it flew into the net.
I can only imagine what it was like up the back. Down the front the 3 of us were going spare enough as the players ran over to celebrate in front of us. This was proper.
Now the nerves. The bloody nerves. Exciting to be in a position to have them but a real ordeal.
Going to take this juncture to pause and issue a public apology:
In more than one article during the winter months of 2026, it was intimated on this website that the player officially known as Big Phil was not perhaps up to the required standard. Using this opportunity to make a full and frank retraction and apology for such comments. The man is now an indisputable cult hero of this football club and must only be talked about in a kindly manner. No further comment will be made on previous murmurings.
Always, always happy to be proved wrong here. He played a key role off the bench.
With seven minutes of normal time remaining, Tshimanga had a great chance to seal both the hat trick and the win. He did neither, sadly. He’d more than done his bit already, but it would have made for an easier finale.
Where 8 minutes of stoppage were found from is anyone’s guess. They ticked by slowly. The elation when Notts’ final desperate attempt ballooned over the bar on 37:something was widespread and loud. Even more so a few seconds later when the referee blew for full time.
It was one of those feelings you get from time to time where the moment just really grabs you. Utterly roaring with delight.
I’ve had it sent to me by several people already but I’d like to thank the BFC media team for getting a great snap of me and the kids celebrating at the end. I’m really trying not to come across too earnest in all of this but honestly, those were some incredibly special memories created. Fantastic to have them documented. I’ve not seen either child so animated and excited about what’s going on on the pitch as in this one. Whether we go to 5 or 500 more matches together, we’ll always have that sunny April day at Meadow Lane to look back on.
Unfortunately, Chesterfield scored a last gasp equaliser and Grimsby ran riot at Gillingham. The league place is the same but the gap is smaller. It’s not in our hands but with our form, you simply cannot write us off. Points will get dropped above us. How, by who and what it all means is anyone’s guess but what an exciting finale we’ve set up.
Obviously the context of the win today amplified it significantly. However, take the possibility of the playoffs out of it for a moment and it was still a special afternoon to be involved in. I’ll never tire of watching Barnet win in front of big crowds at proper establishments when we’re not supposed to.
To use the manager’s favourite word, that away end was “together.” You could really feel the collective Barnet bond there. It was a great atmosphere both in noise and feeling. Dean Brennan continues to sprinkle magic over our football club and however the next fortnight pans out, this continues to be a special era to follow Barnet in.
It could be the ultimate exciting finish and incredible story. It could be a case of so near yet so far. Either way, the way we’re seeing this season out is cause for optimism for August whatever the context then. It’s good to be Bees…
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