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Sun, Beer And Goals
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Well and truly on
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By:
Eric Hitchmo
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25/04/2011
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More On Gillingham
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"Well what a blinding day out, result and situation we find ourselves in now. Barnet steamrollered Gillingham in what was an outstanding performance which in the context, was a must win game. Northampton had nicked a point in the very last minute of their game on Friday night, a goal which could still prove utterly vital taking them four points clear before play. To keep them, and everyone else in touch was to be of paramount importance, and we did it in emphatic style.
At the risk of repeating things this morning, we arrived at Kings X at just gone 10am to start the days' proceedings. You can read Max Bygraves' full account of it all by clicking HERE. We were joined by some twenty others, plus ten or so St. George's knights, in the glorious Central London sunshine as the beer flowed beautifully. If the game could carry on this precedent we'd be in for a belter (and a sunburn).
It was decided to take the later train into Gillingham as this particular part of the world is not exactly fond on one's eye. A short walk to the ground through rows of undesirable housing followed and we were in by around half two where a healthy number of Barnet fans had gathered. I expected a bit more than the eventual 399 turnout, but still, those that were there got behind the team brilliantly with a clear correlation between the alcohol consumption, gorgeous sun on an uncovered away end and superb team performance that was to be witnessed.
It was Barnet who started the strongest of the two sides. Mark Marshall was already hassling ex-Barnet man Barry Fuller on the left hand side and appeared to be in his element. He would give Fuller the runaround afternoon, something you do not need in these weather conditions. He was to have a hand in the first goal when his low cross was not dealt with. The ball squirmed around the box until it fell kindly to the left boot of Mark Byrne who finished sweetly into the far corner. The away end goes nuts, not for the last time this afternoon.
In truth, Gillingham didn't really get going throughout the match, aside from a bit of a spell after their equaliser which appeared to come from nowhere. A close-range shot was not held by Sam Walker and Andy Barcham was on hand to tap home the rebound. This did little to deflate the mood amongst us, though you did begin to fear the worst when The Gills struck a post from a free-kick on the edge of the box soon after. However, it would be us who would have the final say in the first half with a crushing blow. Marshall again involved, his centre ending up on the head of Jude Stirling, who nodded across goal from Izale McLeod to butt it home. Away end in ecstasy again, I've managed to end up on the floor this time, having put both feet through a seat after the first. Crazy celebrations, I love them.
It was a deserved lead going into the second half, we were very much in the ascendancy and didn't appear ready to relinquish that lead any time soon. Indeed, just seven minutes into the second half it was 3-1. Sam Deering delicately placed a ball over the head of the Gills defender into the path of McLeod again, who expertly chested the ball over the despairing leap of 'keeper Alan Julian when everyone else expected a header. A finish of a man with supreme confidence. We're all in a state of disbelief now, the netted segregation between the halves of the stand being used as diving practice with a number of people ending up in a big old pile of happy bodies.
Lots of news was filtering through from various sources regarding scores elsewhere but we didn't need to worry too much with what was unfolding in front of us. Barnet were all over Gillingham and the home side were being allowed nothing in front of goal. They laboured hard in the sun, but didn't get a sniff, and we looked like we had more and more goals in us. With twenty still to play, another Marshall cross was not dealt with, leading to Mark Byrne being clearly felled in the box. Penalty. This is getting even better. McLeod stepped up for his hat-trick and buried it beautifully to complete it. No Barnet player had scored a hat-trick for nearly three years, and now we have had two in three weeks! Carnage once more on the temporary away structure. Absolutely loving every second of this.
There was still more to come. A long punt forward found its way to Jack Midson who cleverly turned his back to the ball which invited a foul from the defender. The referee has no hesitation in pointing to the spot. This is getting silly now. McLeod steps up again and it's got to be five. Well, it wasn't, after a very stupid bit of football from our Izale. It's not often a player gets a lot of stick having scored a hat-trick, but at this stage of the season, with every goal potentially being very important, to try and be extremely cocky and chip the ball home is daft. The ball sailed over the bar into a home end who'd just had their best laugh of the day. Annoying, especially as with ten minutes to go, Gillingham got one back which ensured the remaining time was to be a nervy one instead of a job done, feet up, let's enjoy ourselves time.
We weathered a pretty toothless storm well and we had our win. Joyous players celebrated with noisy, buoyant fans. Heading back to London was a boisterous celebration, we all ended up going our separate ways as tends to happen. Some went back to O'Neills, some sampled the 'delights' of The Flying Scotsman, some simply went home. For me, it ended up in the Electric Ballroom until the early hours, wanting to savour every last great feeling obtained from a fantastic day out.
We're well and truly back in the mix now and we have dragged plenty of teams into the race with that win as the table below demonstrates. Burton may have won and put themselves 17th (!!!) but there are now at least seven clubs involved for the last relegation place. Stockport haven't gone yet either, after they won at Port Vale, which could prove all the more crucial as they'll have some real incentive to put a spanner in Northampton's works later this afternoon. Cheltenham can't buy a win and they face Lincoln this afternoon who are also looking precariously over their shoulders. Hereford and Bradford are still down there, seeking the win that would realistically get them out of dodge. It's fair to say that the last few games will be very interesting, and although we haven't got the points on the board as yet, we certainly have a tide of optimism behind us, whereas the teams above are in peril, limping towards trouble with negativity surrounding everything they do. This fight is going to the wire!
![]() | ![]() | ![]() | | Current Points: 44 | Current Points: 48 | Current Points: 45 | | Oxford United (H) | Torquay United (H) | Stockport County (A) | | Accrington Stanley (A) | Southend United (A) | The Chavs (H) | | Port Vale (H) | Accrington Stanley (H) | Morecambe (A) | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | | Current Points: 47 | Current Points: 47 | Current Points: 48 | | Cheltenham Town (H) | Morecambe (A) | Lincoln City (A) | | Oxford United (A) | Bradford City (H) | Shrewsbury Town (H) | | Aldershot Town (H) | Macclesfield Town (A) | Stockport County (A) | | ![]() | | | Current Points: 48 | | | Aldershot Town (H) | | | Hereford United (A) | | | Crewe Alexandra (H) | |
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