 |
|
| Daggers 5 Barnet 2 |
| Conference - 16/08/03 |
| Back to Fixtures/Results 03/04 |
| Back to Index |
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The Daggers made all the right changes in this game andit was immediately a very different performance to those against Leigh and Stevenage. Danny Shipp made way for Bentley to move across from the wing, with Janney being recalled. Chris Piper played as Paul Terry watched from the stands to contemplate his imminent transfer to Yeovil. Paul Bruce was recalled as well for Jackson. Tony Roberts also returned from injury to give the side a big lift.
It could have been so different had Barnet taken a chance in the first couple of minutes. A free kick was curled in that beat every save for Hendon at the back post. With a free header just a few yards out he headed downwards but Roberts was equal with good reflexes to hold onto the ball. Paul Bruce hammered one over the bar and then had a free kick that never threatened Naisbitt's goal, but his cross played a part in the first goal. It beat everyone but Braithwaite got it back across. Piper's header was saved but Bentley was on hand to strike it home for his first goal in a Daggers shirt.
Roberts had another relatively easy save from Grazioli and Strevens hit the side netting from a near impossible angle but the Daggers reaffirmed their position as Mark Bentley again did the business. Bruce's corner was met at the near post by Bentley who had run from the edge of the box to meet it and it nestled in the net for a two-goal cushion. Lee Matthews blocked expertly from Grazioli's turn and shot to protect the lead before half-time.
The second half took a while to get going but when it did, it produced five goals. Just before the hour, Bruce played it up to Stein who turned Maddix and ran in on goal. Maddix fell over as he tried to get back leaving Stein one-on-one and he made no mistake to send it across Naisbitt and in off the far post. Just a minute later and it was that man Stein again who is the only forward to score for the Daggers so far this season. Bentley's break from midfield was halted but the ball broke across the area and Stein again showed great skill to turn Maddix, again leaving him grounded, and flick the ball past Naisbitt with the outside of his right boot.
Just when it seemed all over, suddenly Barnet were back in the game. The Daggers started to take their foot off the pedal and Vickers' very short and wide backpass let in Grazioli who nipped it over Roberts and into the far bottom corner. The Daggers didn't take the hint and with a couple of minutes left, Lopez ran across the box with and went down as he passed Matthews with the ball already out for a goalkick due to poor control. Penalty it was and Grazioli sent Roberts to his right and dispatched the penalty the other way.
Just seconds after the restart, Smith this time left Roberts short with another terrible backpass and it looked like it was going to become one of the great comebacks. But Roberts blocked this time and from the ball upfield, Bruce's cross beat the keeper all ends up and Stein was there for a simple header for the hat-trick.
This win gets the season back on track but there are some very tough games coming up at Morecambe and Shrewsbury. Some great individual performances from most of the team, Bentley again man of the match for arguably three games running, and Paul Bruce having his best game in a Daggers shirt. Chris Piper also had a good debut.
