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Big Time, Charlie
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Lakin’s second half double puts us back on top
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13/09/2026
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This article has been viewed 404 times.
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by Max Bygraves
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Is it possible to be excited about playing Accrington Stanley? Apparently this was the 10th time I’ve seen them play us; rarely a pleasure, normally a chore. Six points last year aside, Accrington on the fixture list is normally one to brace yourself for. Or so it feels. We always seemed to lose up there and I’ve seen two of the worst 0-0 draws imaginable against them at Underhill.
Yet whilst not the most appetising of opposition, on current form, there was every reason to be optimistic ahead of the game. Accrington are a lazy tip for relegation every year but do find themselves languishing in the lower reaches. One of the few clubs you can actually say are smaller than us. Their tiny away support a pretty good indication of this. That looked a bleak away end.
I’m obviously being a bit disparaging here but there is a bit of underlying respect for them, somewhere. It’s 20 years since they got back into the Football League. We’ve been in and out twice in this time whilst they enjoyed a five season stint in League One which ended as recently as 2023. They even came 11th there in 2021. They’re a real model at punching above one’s weight. Whether this year it’ll finally be too much remains to be seen.
They started the game well enough. Barnet began with a lot of possession but the first proper save was from Cox. We began to probe a little more after this and a decent volleyed effort by Lakin showed encouraging signs but overall we looked a little blunt.
In the 27th minute, another moment that the defenders won’t enjoy watching back. It was a bit of an unfortunate mis-header (is that a thing?) from Adam Senior which took the flight of the ball towards our goal. Either way, a very presentable opportunity was not passed up by Accrington’s Charlie Caton. It was a very well taken goal, lobbing it over the helpless Cox. The clean sheet quest goes on.
As expected, there was a response in terms of Barnet having a lot of the ball but not much in the way of seriously threatening the Accrington goal. Gallagher forced a save from the keeper from the edge of the box and Collinge had a Gazza-esque stretching chance where he couldn’t quite reach the ball to connect. Frustrating. Not much else to say as we went off 0-1 down at the break.
We’ll say it’s testament to their good behaviour I’ve yet to mention I was attending this one with both my children again. As the first half finished, it did dawn on me how fortunate I’ve been to introduce them to Barnet during an era where we tend to win a lot more than lose. It would be a very hard sell if it was like that first half every week. They were understandably a little restless by the end of a pretty uneventful first 45, so half time consisted of a bit of a wander about. No sampling of any of the food or drink on offer. The queues looked pretty standard but no idea if they were quicker moving this time.
On the note of how busy or not busy it was - a crowd of just 1900 no doubt a little disappointing for the club. Whilst we top the footballing table, we sit 23rd in average home attendance. Objectively, it’s crazy how this can be the case. In reality, I run the risk of being extremely repetitive if you want to know the simple reason: location, location, location. I would argue the club can do more than just lots of social media posts through the week saying ‘be there’ and they’re going to need to continue to consider some new innovative ways to capture people’s attention and imagination. However, it does feel a bit like there’s something of a ceiling on what we can achieve week to week. We’ve seen we can pull a crowd at The Hive for a big game but seemingly not enough consistent returners for the less glamorous looking fixtures. Even when we are unbeaten and doing well. Very interesting to see what next week against a similarly small away support will look like (Accrington are 24th and Fleetwood 22nd in the attendance table, in case you wanted to know).
Anyway, back to the second half of this one. We started the brighter but initial endeavour didn’t produce too much. The new loanee from Tottenham, Ajayi, was introduced at the break and immediately showed lots of willing. He looks a little raw but not afraid to have a go at making something happen. Intrigued to see how he progresses.
A few worries it maybe wasn’t to be our day but these were to be allayed just before the hour mark. A burst down the right and a lovely ball in by Adam Senior was confidently met by the sweeping boot of Charlie Lakin. An assured finish to make it 1-1. Lakin continues to be an absolute menace at The Hive whilst it will have done Senior’s confidence no harm being involved in a goal in a positive context, after a few recent disappointing moments at the other end.
This woke the crowd up. The Amber Battalion were more of a presence than last time although perhaps not quite at full numbers. The noise crept up but we’ve been better and more sustained, certainly - maybe next week? There was reason for a bit of excitement in the ensuing minutes after the equaliser. Momentum appeared to be building and every attack brought collective excited anticipation - but for now, no goal.
Things quietened down for a few minutes after the initial signs of an onslaught. A few further changes were made and Barnet remained the far more likely.
On 72 minutes, a ball over the top was latched onto to the left of the box by Tshimanga. Great work from a man used to being more central and goal focused. He chested the bouncing ball before sending a half volleyed cross into the box. We were given a helping hand from the Stanley defender who chose to try and meet this ball with a header back towards his own goal. He couldn’t quite bury it into the bottom corner but instead hit the post. Lakin was extremely fast in reacting, prodding the rebound back towards goal. The visitors’ keeper might well be a bit disappointed to have let it go straight through him but we didn’t care as the ball trickled over the line to turn the scoreline around. Lakin again ole ole.
Things were getting better and better. Just three minutes later, Accrington were reduced to 10 men. Already on a yellow card, a stupidly physical lunge/wrestle for the ball from Devon Matthews only had one likely conclusion the moment the ref blew his whistle. Few complaints could be had.
This made for a bit more of a relaxed ending. Accrington never really looked likely to score. We pressed but couldn’t add another. An incredible example of doing all the nice bits but with no end product from Kanu in the last few minutes was quite in line with much of the game. This was by no means a vintage performance but we got the job done.
One quick question, we got a few corners towards the end but there was a distinct lack of ‘bees bees bees,’ to acknowledge this. What’s happened there? As far as I know, that’s something quite unique to us - and has always made a corner feel a bit more exciting. Let’s not lose that!
It hadn’t been a particularly great game, it wasn’t an especially fantastic performance, but absolutely none of that matters when you win, does it? Much excitement all round as the full time whistle sounded and with results elsewhere being favourable, we found ourselves back on top of the league.
The kids wanted to get down the front to wave their flags. In doing so, we got a close up view of a very impassioned and excited Dean Brennan. Good for him. Conducting the top of the league chants, he was clearly delighted with a hard fought three points. That reaction only adds to the general excitement around the place. All of a sudden, it felt like we’d seen a glorious victory and everything was well in the world.
The movement of the players’ families and friends to The Legends stand gives a nice opportunity for several youngsters to grab some autographs and pictures after the players have come over to greet their attendees. I think it’s always worth highlighting what great ambassadors we have playing for our club when we see such behaviour in action. Danny Collinge, Kabongo Tshimanga and Zac Williams all not only signing the kids’ books but making the effort to ask if they’d enjoyed the game and the like. Smiley, personable and seemingly aware of the positive impact they can have. Yes, that doesn’t take much but they were still on the pitch in their kit after 90 minutes of football. That additional effort with the fans really has to be appreciated and not underestimated in its power. And it only makes you want them to do even better. Good lads.
Now buzzing from these encounters, my son was insistent we went round to the other side and waited for a few more autographs before departing. When you’ve won and it’s a warm day, really not too much of a hardship. I managed to drag them away to get home for their dinner just after 5:30pm. And yes, when we got in the car, we did put Alice Deejay on and sing along that weeee, weee are top of the league, and that’s where we belong!
Milking it a bit after a win against Accrington? I’d say that’s EXACTLY what you do when you’ve gone top.
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