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NdLoving It
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Digging in against Daggers
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By:
Max Bygraves
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09/03/2025
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This article has been viewed 507 times.
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This is just getting ridiculous now. A different kind of win. A different kind of feeling. It is so on and massively exciting.
A big crowd was packed into The Hive for the visit of Dagenham & Redbridge. Common adversaries for much of the last two decades. One of those clubs that I suppose we shouldn’t really like but that I have no feelings for either way. They’re just a bit boring, all told.
Pre-match it was all about Bring Barnet Back. Arriving unusually early, it was important to make the most of the bumper crowd by gathering any additional support we could. Many fans filled out the analogue version of comments to the council. The consensus is we all want it to happen. I’ve never known anything so unanimous. It takes up an unreasonable amount of my thoughts. Let’s do all we can to make it happen.
If you haven’t already added your comment of support, please do so here.
As the teams emerged, it really did smack of the ‘business end’ of the season. Despite being early March, warm Spring weather, a big crowd and huge anticipation smacked of a late in the season game. Thankfully, it’s a little way off from being over yet but the end is now in sight.
Saying this, the first half was somewhat frustrating. Dagenham weren’t awful. Marshalled at the back by one time Barnet defender Michael Hector (fair to say this is quite a different type of loan spell 13 years later in his career - he was great for us), they were organised if unspectacular. They offered nothing going forward n but also gave us little.
We were very much in control but it was a story of dragged shots and something just a bit missing. Amidst this, referee Paul Marsden was having an absolute shocker. You’ll notice we don’t normally acknowledge refs much here but this was a particularly poor performance. I found myself googling him late in the first half and then scrolling through photos of him actually giving yellow cards, to believe it had actually happened or was possible. Dire.
The second half began and ran much like the first. Barnet on top, Dagenham not looking totally toothless yet not much happening. It didn’t help the atmosphere, either. Somewhat flat.
Into the final quarter and Barnet had made five changes. Every roll of the dice seemingly rolled but not much output just yet.
Lee Ndlovu replaced Dominic Telford up front and had a very good chance in the latter stages with a header. This was wasted and you really felt it might be one of those days. Telford looks a cut above but couldn’t get into this game. Ndlovu offers us a different approach and it was a sensible switch.
Dagenham had also forced a decent save from Evans via a header. And just as time ticked past 90, it looked like they may be given a free run at goal to snatch it. Some great defending by Collinge denied this, preserved the home record, and allowed us the chance to nick it…
We’ve been winning at a canter of late. Sometimes, it’s nice to have a reminder of the grind. A late winner. Drama.
After some neat passes, Ndlovu used his strength well to turn his man but then fire a fairly feeble effort goalwards. Daggers’ keeper had had a decent game but he won’t want to see this one back.
The ball rolled underneath him prompting utterly wild scenes. The players went mad. The bench went mad. The fans went mad. In a season of wonderful moments, that was right up there.
To have the ground pretty full certainly added to it. The place was rocking after the goal and things almost got very silly when Ndlovu had the ball in the net a second time two minutes later. Latching on to a long ball over the top, he’d lifted it over the goalkeeper and into the net. There didn’t appear anything wrong and it very much began to go off, only for the goal to be chalked off for an apparent hand ball.
A second goal would have been a delightful extra but wasn’t necessary. More jubilation ensued as the whistle was blown at the end of the additional seven minutes. Dagenham deflated, Barnet buzzing.
Full time saw Dean Brennan accompanied by Dharnesh (‘Little Man’) on the pitch. Permission given for a pitch appearance, unlike the song and pantomime of the Underhill days. There were scenes of proper celebration. There can be no doubt about how big this was and it was evident what it meant to players and staff.
Apparently, the chairman’s guest for the day, Martin Allen, made a changing room appearance once they were back in. The second hand story heard was that he was very emotional. Allegedly telling them not to celebrate too much until they’ve ‘got one of these,’ pulling out his 2015 winners’ medal. He’s brilliant. On his departure, it was suggested he does a Sunday morning Thames swim to celebrate. Watch this space.
It proved to be an extended stay at the ground for an extra post match beer. Too excited to go straight home. Top tip by the way, buy it in Legends and then walk over to the posh bar. No queue.
The players slowly emerged looking very pleased with themselves. It was great to see them signing many an autograph for youngsters. Such a big part of what makes a club like ours special is this kind of access for young fans. That’s the sort of thing makes it get under your skin and addicted for the long term.
This is a great team and a seemingly good bunch. Full, very appropriately, of proper characters. Ryan Glover looked ready for an extended day out in his vest and leather jacket. What a look. Tavares and Chapman departed with beers in hand. Why not? Great to see a team clearly so together. Apparently the majority of the squad went onto a local pub after. Proper.
It was one of those late winners that leaves you on such a high it takes you through the rest of the day. Such was my excitement, after a quick pit stop home, I found myself in The Railway Tavern in time for York v Forest Green game at 5:30.
The deflation in North Yorkshire when the news of Ndlovu 90+3 came through must have been significant. Even the most optimistic of York fans must be thinking 2nd at best now. A 1-1 draw did them little good. Barnet now sit eleven clear having played one game more. It really isn’t like me to get ahead of myself, but impossible not to now. I’d really advise anyone to spend a good bit of time just staring at the league table.
This is a special time to be a Barnet fan. On my journey to the ground yesterday, my car playlist featured several tunes from 2005. As I sang along to Banquet by Bloc Party, I really got a feeling of being transported back to that heady time. In that title run in, there were several sunny days like this one resulting in big wins that edged us closer.
I was there in 2015 but didn’t have anywhere near the same investment as the previous one or now. The current scenario and blissful bubble of Barnet fun is such a great mix of new excitement and nostalgic joy. Winning the league will be great, but I don’t want this season to end.
Onto Woking…
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