N Rowland Sports Writer

A truism of being a Barnet fan is that its never dull, and since my last entry, it has been anything but dull. Since the quarter-final victory over Maidstone in the trophy, we’ve beaten Yeovil, unluckily drawn with Notts County, breezed past Wealdstone, drawn away at Woking, lost to Gateshead on penalties having been 3-0 down, lost to York and drawn with Bromley, Maidstone, and Wrexham.

It has been an emotional few weeks following Barnet and as typical of the club, there have been highs and lows aplenty. When I walked out of the Hive after watching us match Notts County, I felt dreamily optimistic because if we can be better than a team like Notts County in such a dominant fashion, then the possibilities are endless for this loveable team of honest lads.

This feeling increased a week later when we went to Grosvenor Vale and in front of the BT Sport cameras, serenely sailed past the Stones. The first half was a little under-par but the second was comfortable and the scenes that followed our first goal were just memorable. It was a lovely day in the Ruislip sun and after the turgidity we experienced there last season, it felt good to be able to stamp our authority in such a way. The joys of 6 points over Wealdstone.

Then came a bizarre evening in Woking whereby we were excellent for large parts of the first half and went ahead through our midfield maestro, Harry Pritchard but were frustrated by an extremely questionable refereeing performance and a Woking side that showed why they’re 3rd. However, despite the frustration, the two penalty saves by Laurie Walker prevented a damaging defeat and he continues to be the stopper we’ve yearned for eons.

After an eventful evening in Surrey, came the excursion up to Tyneside. When my alarm sounded at 5:20 am, I knew I had a long and emotional day ahead. What I didn’t factor in was that after hours on the coach and a lively sing song in a pub in Newcastle, we’d be 3-0 down after 37 minutes and playing in a style reminiscent of the darkest days. Unbelievably however, we got it back to 3-3 through Harry Pritchard and an away end that had been deflated erupted in a delirious yet beautiful melee as everyone piled forward and hugged those near them.

Unfortunately, football’s cruel nature struck again, and we bowed out on penalties. Pritchard scored our first, but Kabamba and De Havilland missed and our journey in the Trophy was over.

It was a long journey home whereby I felt conflicted; worried about the direction of the season, proud that we came back and happy to feel something about Barnet again even if it was gut-wrenching heartbreak. Unlike previous Barnet teams, this one cares and gets it.

Unsurprisingly, the next three games were lackluster and yielded one goal. It was a period whereby I thought don’t do this Barnet, not after all the months of hard work and effort. Thankfully, against high-flying Wrexham, and despite it ending in a 0-0 draw, we looked back to our best in a game eerily similar to the Notts County one at home.

We were once again unfortunate not to win but I felt pride in our effort, heart, desire, and unwillingness to roll over for Wrexham. We made a good team look distinctly average, and after a flat few weeks, it was just what we needed and means we’re in a good position ahead of the final three league games. To think that on Tuesday, we can secure a playoff place with victory over Solihull Moors is remarkable.

This season has been thoroughly enjoyable. As we near the denouement, it would be remiss of me not to reflect on what has been a revivifying of my club. It started at the Hive vs Halifax, saw us go briefly top of the league, then came the goal frenzy of Wrexham and Dagenham before the exceptional three-month unbeaten run, personal highlights including Oldham away and Halifax away, the beating of Chesterfield, Woking, Wealdstone twice, Southend, Bromley, and draws vs the top two.

Most importantly of all, however, it has seen a reunification between team and fans and the restoration of hope and belief to what had previously felt like a dark place whereby all hope had gone.

But, now onto the final three games and potentially more. This season could yet have a very special ending. Buckle up Bees fans, it won’t be dull. This team has got us dreaming again.

You Bees x