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Alice Deejay On My Walkman
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We are top of the league…someone please say we are top of the league!
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30/08/2026
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This article has been viewed 209 times.
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by Max Bygraves
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It’s a really boring thing to point out, but it always rains for our late August fixtures at home in the last few years. The Southend soaking in 2024, definitely some drizzle when Tamworth were walloped for 7 and a drab day for a draw with Colchester this time last year. Maybe not always, but in recent memory anyway.
Despite making it to the game at Cambridge a few weeks back, having been away for the past couple of weeks, I’ve felt a bit out the loop with the new season. Typical, given our fantastic start. As referenced in my last write up, last weekend rather than Shrewsbury it was the San Siro for an Inter Milan game. Amazing experience but I will highlight that the queue for a beer in the ground there was at least on a par if not worse than Legends bar. Have you ever won the Conference, have you…?
It was an early arrival to see the table-topping Bees. As mentioned in pre-season, the community day offer for the kids was wide-ranging and so much so it impacted this game, too. An opportunity to walk out with the team or be a flag bearer on the pitch, just for attending the other event. Absolutely inspired stuff from the club. Arriving in plenty of time with two very excited young children, it was a quick stop via the shop first for my son to blow the entirity of his piggy bank on the new home shirt. His sister was very clear she’s happy to stick with her 24/25 top (and why wouldn’t you be? The best in recent times and a league winning one) and only wanted to splurge on a Barnet crest key ring to put on her school book bag. Everyone suiting themselves, a smooth experience before making the wet walk round to Legends.
My daughter is now convinced she’s the finest flag waver out there and Adam Senior has achieved god-like status for walking out holding my son’s hand. Such an easy thing to make happen, but with such rich reward for the kids (there were several others, too) involved. These are the kind of core memories that stick with you given the access at clubs like ours. How can that not hook you in? A favourite Barnet experience thus far for them both and the game hadn’t even kicked off!
To the action, and I went into this one full of optimism and belief. It was pointed out this week by my newly learned colleague in the DSH writing department, the artist known as Tony Smart, that Steve Cotterill does enjoy a Hive visit with his big bus ready to park. I’d missed Cheltenham play us last year, but recall our encounters with his Forest Green side. Ugly football. And a very easy to rattle, peculiar character. His return to Cheltenham has a touch of the David Moyes at Everton. Steady, stable but you can’t imagine it ever really producing anything too exciting.
The way the opening exchanges began, it felt quite reminiscent of many a home clash in the 24/25 campaign. Visitors coming to try and defend, weather the early storm and not get over run. After just 10 minutes, it looked like Cheltenham’s plan was in tatters.
A beautiful passage of play was coolly finished by Charlie Lakin. 3 in 3 for our new number 8. I never profess to be a League 2 expert (more of a Division 3 circa 2000 man in terms of knowing other team’s players), but I had no idea who this guy was when we signed him but it appears Brennan has done it again. Don’t get me wrong, clearly Lakin has established himself as a league player, but this blistering start seems a little apart from the comments from Walsall fans when he was announced. It would appear he is an excellent addition, from early impressions.
Cheltenham couldn’t sit back and through the first half did make a number of attempts for parity. Cox was brought into action a couple of times, the biggest let off arguably being the quality of finishing. Very routine stuff for the keeper; one just before the interval a particular waste from the visitors’ perspective.
Though not without their chances, we very much looked assured and overall in control. It appeared and sounded (from a resounding thwack) as though Lakin should have been awarded a penalty but the ref wasn’t interested. The feeling as the first half came to an end was that a second would have been nice already, but you definitely fancied us to see it through and likely add more after the break.
One thing that was glaringly apparent, especially when things were most rosy on the pitch, was the complete lack of atmosphere. Where have the kids in the Amber Battalion all gone? I’m aware there was some discontent at the Salford game over some people being kicked out of their seats or something along those lines but my understanding was that this had been resolved. I hope this was perhaps a one game protest and act of defiance at those issues rather than anything more. They were really missed. Barnet are top of the fourth tier for the first time in 17 years and I didn’t hear one proper “we are top of the league, say we are top of the league.” And no, my time for being the instigator of that kind of thing has come and gone. I’ll join in, though. I really hope we see a bit more energy and noise in the stands at the Accrington game. The team deserve it and the place really needs it. A quiet Hive really is a bleak reminder of the reality of our temporary home.
After recently being on holiday, I’ll be giving the produce in Legends bar a swerve for the next few games whilst settling back into routine. What I will say is from an observation, the queue situation and service looked pretty routine for those who were partaking. The Wardrobe had helpfully left his young boy with me whilst he went off to get him something to eat and I’d say my half time experience trying to supervise 3 excitable kids all aged 6 or under was more painful than anything queuing or poor service experienced on this or any other occasion. A shame, kids had done well in the first half but once that kind of silly mood descends, not always the easiest to bring them back to where they need to be concentration-wise.
At this juncture, I will provide the service I do like to offer, to incorporate contributions people would like to make. From one season ticket holder near the back of Block E, he wanted me to share in quite strong words how poor he found the quality of the catering service, from his first experience of the new set up.
Not my own experience but it doesn’t feel like we’ve made great strides forward just yet with the new set up given this comment doesn’t feel standalone. What is apparent is that we’ve got some good people working hard to try and improve things; let’s just hope execution of ideas can get to where it needs to sooner rather than later. Would be fascinated at any feedback from any attendees to the new fangled 102 club at the next home game. I won’t be spending the 80 or so pounds it would cost for me and two kids to sample whatever it is on offer. Still a little lost on what you’re getting for doubling your entry fee other than perhaps a smaller beer queue. Let us know!
Back to the game and an early false dawn when Reeves hit the bar from range was as good as it got for a while. With deteriorating behaviour from the small people next to me combined with a mad five defensively, it was all going wrong.
A real collector’s item if you like horrible things for their first goal. A Collinge and Tavares mix up left us open at the back and allowed a simple finish to make it 1-1.
Five minutes later, Myles Kenlock produced about the only negative deja vu he could from two seasons ago. Other than it being on the other side of the pitch, an almost identical horror half pass back to the goalie as against Sutton on Boxing Day 2024 presented the Robins with a golden opportunity. An unselfish lay off ensured Charlie McCann could tuck home to make it 1-2. In case you were wondering if he’s the son of Grant McCann who once scored late to make it 2-2 for Cheltenham at Underhill, he’s not. Just me?
A double substitution was about to happen but we saw really ruthless Brennan behaviour. Kenlock was off before the restart with Williams replacing him. No sentiment or sympathy there. Nothing new and it works but a little sorry for Kenlock early in his return. From Brennan’s post match comments, you wouldn’t imagine he plays on Tuesday.
We did, to coin the Brennan phrase of them all, show character to come back. It was from the penalty spot that Tshimanga deftly finished to make it 2-2. It did appear to be a penalty but it was clear the referee took some time to make up her mind. Having denied 2 previous calls, it felt some justice was done by being given that one.
The hope was that we’d kick on and go and grab a winner. There was some endeavour and a chance for Williams at the back post felt slightly wasted, but in fairness, Cheltenham looked about as likely. As much as it was frustrating not to win, there couldn’t be any huge complaints as the whistle sounded for a draw.
The team received a positive ovation as they left the pitch. With results elsewhere hugely going our way, and no one in the league now having a 100% record after three games, we remain top of the league. I don’t care if it’s not even September yet. We haven’t sustained top spot in League 2 for this amount of time since early in the year 2000. Make the most of it!
There was an ominous mention by Brennan of offers for players being made in his post match. He also cited “millions” of scouts being there today. This is nothing new and will always be a worry at Barnet. It’s sometimes beyond anyone’s control if a club of a certain stature come in for a player. Let’s just hope nothing before the deadline this week. My hope is the comment about upstairs not agreeing to releasing more funds to add to what we’ve got is a ploy to get just that. Another attacking option feels the priority to me.
Big respect to the Tuesday night heroes making their way to Devon. Exeter haven’t had the greatest of starts, confidence should be high that we can keep our decent run going. If we can come out of that one still in 1st, things will really feel exciting.
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