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Mist Opportunity?
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Not the foggiest…
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By:
Max Bygraves
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15/01/2025
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This article has been viewed 163 times.
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It’s funny trying to clarify your support of a club like Barnet to people. When explaining to a colleague why I had to make a 4pm sharp departure from work, she ventured some questions as to where I was heading and why. A pleasant exchange ensued but no doubt she was left largely confused why I was going to Gloucestershire on a cold January night to watch 5th division football.
The way I rationalised making the rest of my working week slightly back-footed and having a tired Wednesday was: if this does go on to be one of those successful seasons, you want to say you were there at those milestone victories a distance away midweek.
My usual compadres, including one’s teenage son in tow, set off from the top of High Barnet around quarter to five. It was a steady run to Nailsworth with no real hold ups, meaning an arrival not too far past 7pm. The biggest concern in the latter parts of the journey the increasingly present fog.
After a slightly nervy, squinty jaunt down some very narrow country roads after a missed turning, we finally ascended the hill to the ground and found a tight parking spot. It really is a bizarre place to go to watch professional football. Very much the middle of nowhere. A pitch black, cold January’s night taking away the quaint Cotswolds factor somewhat.
Ready for a bit of dinner on arrival, we each sampled the curiously named ‘Big Dunc,’ vegan burger from one of the trucks behind the home terrace. The burger wasn’t bad and very reasonably priced. The name confused me, given the big Scots short-lived and pretty miserable tenure at “the friendly club on the hill,” a little while back. Would be a bit like us having a Cottee Burger. I didn’t sample a £5.20 pint of Lost Lager but a commendable offering from the Brewdog trailer was noted. Maybe next time.
Upon entry to the ground, the positivity about surroundings and facilities somewhat lessened. For those who had waited until inside to get food, it was a very limited selection on offer. This shut early too and there was no half time beer option for those inclined. Coupled with an open terrace at a ground built less than twenty years ago, it really is just an odd set up there. Surely that must be the bare minimum of seats allowed at League One level (where they were two seasons back), which the weird half stand at the far end of the away section would explain. How did they manage when the likes of Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday were league opponents?
Anyway, the fog was just about workable as the teams emerged. Lee Ndlovu went straight in for his Barnet debut. Quite odd seeing someone else in that number nine jersey so soon. Not sure I was totally ready. I liked his little salute to the away end just before the action began though.
Despite this being an alcohol free away day, the visibility of the opening exchanges felt more like a heavy one. Blurry. I can’t imagine what it was like for one or two of our friends who had seemingly enjoyed a good afternoon of it in Stroud.
Whether we could see it all clearly or not, it was apparent we were the better side. The first half saw Barnet control possession and very much dictate the play. The home side were surprisingly comfortable with this dynamic it seemed and offered little themselves.
It has to be said that the way the first forty five played out did feel a little familiar to other occasions of a similar magnitude in recent times. Like at Chesterfield last year and York this season, chances were there but not taken.
An effort from Glover somehow went just wide; Stead’s downward header bounced into the turf and then over the bar along with a number of scrambles and blocks in the box. To say we could have gone in with three goals at half time would not be an exaggeration.
Not sure what had upset Forest Green boss Steve Cotterill but his half time exit towards the tunnel was a highlight. In an extended quite surreal moment, he shouted something or other across to the away end, rising to a comment. Lots of finger pointing, too. For a bloke who has spent the time he has in the upper reaches of the football league, this was unusual behaviour. As seems to be a bit of a theme of this article thus far - a very strange place.
The second half started with much the same feel as what had gone before. The play was largely in the home side’s half and we had a lot of the ball. Callum Stead’s endeavour was nearly rewarded when his ambitious effort at the keeper’s near post was well pushed around early in the second half.
We failed to really build on this momentum and chances became at a premium. Forest Green did begin to offer a little more and had a few semi-dangerous looking breaks. Barring a few heart in the mouth moments where you were unsure where the ball would drop in our box, there wasn’t too much to worry about, though.
Rhys Browne came off the bench and showed flashes when given the chance of his match winner ability. His quality is so very apparent and you feel his continued fitness will be key. Harry Chapman had travelled with the squad but wasn’t involved - you hope that’s another face we see again soon. A fit duo there will be key to the run in.
The impetus to try and win the game seemed to drift as the minutes ticked away. Not losing and coming away with a point the pragmatic way to look at it - but it really felt Rovers were there for the taking. Hard to argue this wasn’t a bit of an opportunity missed.
The players were warmly applauded off at full time. It was an interesting viewing experience on the away terrace. It felt very much like you were on top of the pitch and so close to the action. The effort had been there for all to see, but the execution hadn’t quite matched.
It’s hard not to worry a little that the sale of our prolific centre forward won’t be a negative factor in our chances going forward but this is early days. Another striker through the door feels like a real priority. Whether any of the names churning round the rumour mill turn up remains to be seen.
A respectable 164 made the Tuesday night trip as part of a rather paltry crowd around the 1400 mark. It didn’t have the feeling perhaps a big title chasing clash but we will see what the point comes to mean in time.
You would hope a decent number will be tempted by Roots Hall this weekend. A family day out at the seaside in store for us should mean +4 on the away numbers, anyway.
We have a good recent record at Southend but no doubt a tough battle awaits. Tonight can only really feel like a point gained if we stop the run of draws and come back from Essex with all three points. All eyes now on if any new faces come through the door between now and Saturday…
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