The Hive Saturday, March 7th, 2015 k/o 15:00   Conference Attendance: 2,070         Barnet 1-3 Forest Green Rovers
2014 /15

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Barnet 1 Barnet vs - Forest Green Rovers 3 Forest Green Rovers Date: 07/03/2015 3:00 pm Attendance: 2070 Venue: Hive Stadium Rovers unstoppable at high flying Barnet Barnet Away An outstanding second half performance helped Forest Green to maximum points at The Hive as the team’s unbeaten run was extended into an eleventh game, writes Richard Joyce. Rovers bounced back from going behind to an early Barnet goal to seal a superb three points with a result that ranks as one of the most satisfying this season. Backed by a vocal 245 travelling FGR supporters, Ady Pennock’s men finished comfortably in control at the home of a side who up until recently had led the Vanarama Conference all season since the last week of August. A large part of Barnet’s success this term has been the form of imposing front man John Akinde, and his early penalty handed his side the lead within the opening ten minutes. Dale Bennett signed a new contract with the club in midweek, and the full back celebrated his new deal with a stunning strike that proved to be the equaliser. And after the break, Rovers romped to victory with a commanding showing that saw Jon Parkin, and then Kurtis Guthrie, score the goals that confirmed the win. The same starting eleven who began Saturday’s high scoring victory over Southport were in place from the start at Barnet’s new Harrow home, while there was a place on the bench for the returning James Marwood. Steve Arnold’s attempt at a clearance from a Barnet through ball saw the goalkeeper take down Akinde, just inside the box, and the former Bristol City front man picked himself up to fire home the opener moments later. Despite last week’s emphatic win over Southport, it was Barnet who were quickest out of the blocks in this clash, and they benefitted early on when they went a goal up after only seven minutes. Arnold was called upon to make important stops from Curtis Weston, and the lively Lee Cook. Meanwhile Parkin registered Rovers first major opportunity on 21 minutes when his attempted overhead kick passed just over the Barnet crossbar. Having managed to successfully avoid going two goals down, Bennett’s terrific strike drew the tie level. The defender managed to find space just outside the home sides box having seen the ball ricochet kindly from his initial first touch, and he produced a sublime finish that stunned the home crowd. Despite the fact they had lost their lead, Barnet set about trying to regain it, and they had a number of openings before the half time interval. Arnold made a good stop after Michael Gash had got onto the end of a forward ball, meanwhile the man in between the sticks for FGR then had to save Bees wide man Luisma Villa’s two stinging long distance drives. A big second half performance was needed from Rovers if they were to continue to keep Barnet at bay – and that is exactly what was delivered. However there was a nervy moment early in the new half when Akinde managed to break through on goal, only to fire wide, after he had shrugged off the attentions of both Charlie Clough and Aarran Racine. From that moment onwards however the momentum swung emphatically Rovers way, as Elliott Frear struck the post with a close range effort after the ball had found its way across goal to the England C man. And after Stuart Fleetwood’s attempted lob didn’t quite come off after he’d latched onto an intelligent Parkin through ball, Frear hit the post again with a more convincing effort which rattled the woodwork on Graham Stack’s goal. The goal Rovers play deserved came shortly after thanks to another assist from the left boot of Frear. Clough’s powerful run down the right ended with Fleetwood’s effort on goal cannoning off a Barnet defender and into the path of the former Exeter City youngster. And he lifted a smart cross into the area which was brilliantly finished off by Parkin, who guided the ball home. The home side were shaken, and their heads dropped considerably when only six minutes after going in front, Rovers extended their lead. Guthrie’s fabulous near post header from a Rob Sinclair corner almost burst the back of the net as he offered his team all-important breathing space. The way FGR saw out the remainder of the match was demonstrative of a side who are currently oozing in confidence. Except for an Akinde effort that was slammed into the side netting, the former Football League side couldn’t find a way back into the game, and the points belonged to Rovers and their marvellous travelling supporters. Report: Richard Joyce Highlights: With kind permission of Barnet FC