I don’t actually remember the last time I did two opening Barnet games in a row and a third coming up with Eastleigh on Tuesday night. Granted, life can get in the way at times especially with August school holidays. I also try and keep the paid blog varied enough to stop a Barnet overload hence the reason why this one is here and FREE.
When the fixture list comes out the first thing I do is work out how many away games I can get to. Now that might seem odd when most go for the first, Xmas period and the last game which is understandable.
Quite a majority of you know I travel up from the South Coast, between Portsmouth and Brighton to be exact, rarely does it take me less than three hours to hit The Hive no matter what direction I head in, generally going home takes two and a half hours, but five and a half hours is the norm.
It’s not a journey I dislike, I used to. Taking the train doesn’t cut too much time off either, but when we had a year watching streams I vowed never to complain at the time it takes nor getting home at 1am some Wednesday mornings.
So I look for the away games that are less journey times. In all, there are about nine usually, even Boreham Wood and Wealdstone get me home quicker, just that geographical location is all that makes the difference.
Bromley then is always on my list, Eastleigh and Dorking my closest at just under an hour for both. Despite the move to the early evening kick off for TNT Sports it made no difference, and off I went.
Now these days thanks to the videos, the blogs, the introduction to other people I’m never short of someone to watch the game with or indulge in pre-match conversation. It’s never worried me however, I’ve spent years going on my own and watching in my own company, I’m equally happy either way but great to finally meet Lloyd Child before the game for a good chat and the company of Iain Botterill, one third of Beespod, for the 90 minutes.
Contrasting fortunes for both sides on the opening day, what was the likely outcome? Well, I knew through some Ravens supporting friends of mine they were short of a few through injury, possibly a good time to be facing them and taking points off a rival expected to once again be in that play-off race.
Selecting an unchanged side, I think it was clear to see from the beginning that Dean Brennan’s side had the edge against a Bromley side with a few out of position. The opening exchanges I felt belonged to the Bees, space for Reece Hall-Johnson as an outlet down the right hand side and freedom for Zak Brunt to do his work in-between the Bromley midfield and back line.
The cause for concern was the home side’s midfield runners, it took a little while to work out who would track and how we did it, once that was settled control slipped into the hands of the visitors.
Despite their penetrating runs, they didn’t create anything to trouble Laurie Walker and the Bees were first to draw blood on 25 minutes. A Ben Coker free kick wasn’t cleared out of the box and Danny Collinge was on hand to stab home for the second game running.
Nicke Kabamba saw an effort brilliantly saved by Grant Smith minutes later as the Bees started to get on top, however the next best chance was that of the home side, a full 30 yards out Corey Whitely crashed a shot against the crossbar, Walker relieved to see it bounce to safety and a half time lead for the visitors.
A change for Barnet at half time was to turn out pivotal in the grand scheme of things, Marvin Armstrong replacing Idris Kanu. Both Harry Pritchard and Dale Gorman had chances to increase the lead, the former trying to catch out Smith with a lob from 35 yards, the latter shooting just wide from outside the box.
But the Bees did double their lead just after the hour mark, a great press from Armstrong resulted in a loose ball Brunt sent through to Kabamba and the striker slotted the ball home through the legs of Smith to also notch his second in two games.
Control was it for Barnet from thereon, Bromley huffed and puffed and with Michael Cheek volleying well wide of the target with a minute left on the clock summed up the afternoon for the home side, a super save from Walker too kept the Ravens at bay who ended up bottom of the table with no goals nor points from their opening two games.
Barnet are already in the thick of it with maximum points but with just two games on the board, it’s six points towards the target and nothing more. Nothing won, nothing lost yet and as Brennan says one game at a time.
Fully agreed with the assessment after, we’re not quite tidy enough in possession yet but we can keep on polishing it week on week. We certainly looked after it better up front when pressure could have come our way which was pleasing to see.
Quite a few good performances across the park, Kabamba worked hard and took the goal well, should have had one in that first half, Brunt on touch was ahead of the play and will only get more into that, Ade Oluwo I thought had a patchy first half but second 45 was stronger and positionally right.
Kanu I don’t feel has come to the party yet in either game, and the right move to take him off after the first 45, Armstrong’s press and constant harassment of the Bromley players led to a turnover of possession frequently and should have had a goal himself.
Collinge the pick of the bunch shading others and plenty who had solid performances too, there are certainly some who have a lot to do in order to gain a starting berth.
But, if everything was perfect from the word go what is there to improve on? Having a fairly settled squad for the first time in a long while has certainly helped the start and as a reminder seven players sat in the stands not making the 16 players, Dean’s clear message, train well, play well, get rewarded, over the weeks we’ll certainly see those who are buying into this or those who aren’t prepared to work hard and find a way back in, exciting times no doubt.
Just before I finish, a word on the facilities at Hayes Lane for away fans. Apparently the burgers were good, I didn’t even see them on the price board! The rollover hotdog was well, something I should have taken a picture of and shamed on Footy Scran, not great. If you remember the cheeseburger from the York home game last year that got us some unwelcome publicity it’s along those lines.
Now worse than that. Last year’s evening game featured toilets with no lights, this year they went one better and there was no running water which I’m sure is a health and safety risk to all. Upon hearing the home fans suffer the same if they don’t use the brand new Broomfields toilets then surely duty bound to report and get it investigated?
Bad enough to be paying for an uncovered terrace in 2023 in my opinion, when I consider what away fans get when they come to The Hive for the same price then it’s out of kilter, but hey that makes for a good blog on the other site this week.
Great to see one of my Bromley mates Rob Shirley before the game, which in turn led to a conversation with TNT’s Chris Hargreaves and Aaron Mclean, the beauty of non-league football!
So, two down, 44 more to go and swift turnaround for Eastleigh on Tuesday evening, people tell me it’s a tough run of fixtures to begin the season, for me they’re all tough, all 46, no one game is tougher than the previous nor the next, tough winners make champions.
Bromley's facilities are shameful in places, and that's coming from a Bromley fan. The away facilities are a particular stain on the club. Plans are in place to improve that stand but it's not clear when. Don't hold your breath (unless you're in the toilets in the away end).
Must say I got a warm reception from Bees fans when I told them I had flown back from Spain for the Gateshead game in 2016, sure many others would have done the same as me, was just lucky got the very last seat in the Legends stand.