Before I discus the debacle versus Solihull, it would be remiss of me not to talk about the game vs FC Halifax Town at Accrington, a typically non-league occurrence, and discuss the season as a whole. One of emotion, escapades, memories, moments, monetary excess, and copious miles.
After the comfortable victory against Oxford City on Easter Monday, came a game away at Maidenhead and a game at home to Bromley the following Tuesday. Neither of which I could attend due to stewarding commitments. However, both were draws that were frustrating but helped to solidify our place in the top 3. A 91st minute penalty by Nicke Kabamba at Maidenhead was a particular relief.
After the two draws, came FC Halifax Town away. Ordinarily, we’d all been looking forward to another visit to the Shay but the inclement Yorkshire weather drowned that idea so it was decided that the game would take place at Accrington.
It was a strange day but despite the change in location, a thoroughly enjoyable one too. Like I’ve done multiple times this season, I ventured to Kings Cross early in the morning and met my travelling companions for the first train to Leeds, a train that was packed not only with us Bees fans but also Leeds, QPR and Brighton fans too.
It was a joyous festival of dedicated football fans putting in the miles and displaying commitment to watching their team play live. Personally, I thoroughly enjoyed chatting with a Leeds fan from Folkestone. Never take match going fans for granted, we’re a special bunch.
After a most pleasant drink up in Leeds, we headed to Accrington and settled into a sports bar nearby the station. The ground was annoyingly far from the station, but we got there eventually and filed into the away end.
Despite the fairly late change in location, the away end was pretty well populated with some recognizable faces, and we couldn’t have started the game better. We were 2 nil up very early, and this meant that any nerves were diffused. This contributed to a lively and positive atmosphere with songs, smiles, and sun especially in the first half aplenty.
The game was testament to the good stuff we’ve done this season, clinical finishing, midfield control and defensive security. A clean sheet for Josh Keeley was most welcome too, he’s been great this season.
It secured our place in the play-offs for the second season in a row, a real contrast to the dirge I endured growing up watching Barnet. Not even a missed connection from Accrington could dampen my spirits but it did solidify the notion that away days are long. But they’re also so fun and the sociable nature of them proves that.
After this came the last game of a marathon 46-game season, a home game against already relegated Kidderminster Harriers. The fact that we were already confirmed in the play-offs, and they were already down meant that it was a bit of a low-key event but we won 4-1 and looked good enough.
The non-event nature of it was epitomized by the fact that several Barnet fans, me included, sacked off the last 10 minutes to watch the denouement of Boreham Wood vs Ebbsfleet After all the frustration, soulless trips to Meadow Park and the heartbreak in 2023 in the play-off quarter final, it was most amusing to see Boreham Wood relegated. That’s for breaking my heart.
This concluded the season, one of real enjoyment and plenty of memories. Brennan orchestrated a significant progression and one that got us fans daring to dream in various ways. From Oluwo’s winner at Boreham Wood to the clinical displays versus Woking and Altrincham to the lovely evenings in York and Dorking and plenty more, it was my favourite ever season following the Bees.
However, as is typical of us, it had to end in heartbreak. After an anxious wait, Saturday 27th April arrived and therefore the day of our play-off semi final at home against Solihull Moors. I spent the week leading up to it on a most pleasant residential trip so was able not to get overwhelmingly nervous but by Saturday, it was all I could think about.
I arrived at the Hive and was pleased to see it well-populated. I had a beer and chatted with several people before I took my seat and prepared myself for what was to come. Unfortunately, what came was an unmitigated disaster. We froze and lost 4-0.
It will go down as yet another big game in which we’ve not turned up; Northampton away, Chesterfield away, Solihull at home, Boreham Wood at home, Newport at home, Gateshead away to name a few. The whole game was an infuriating watch. We looked both a disorganized mess defensively and a stagnant force offensively.
The game was over at half-time, and I spent the rest of it mulling over yet another season in the fifth tier. Another trip to places like Wealdstone, Aldershot, Woking, Gateshead, Ebbsfleet await as well as never-ending Tuesday nights in the cold snap of winter.
Without being too reactionary or overly critical, I did feel let down by the players who I’d spent copious amounts of money, energy and time following over the season to be delivered a frankly pathetic performance in the biggest game of the season.
A hugely saddening evening whereby several long stares into the abyss were had. One day we’ll get to Wembley.
Now that the season is over, attention must be placed on getting out of this league and as someone remarked to me in the dying embers of the semi-final, we need to win the league to get out of it as our playoff record is shoddy to say the least.
Mercifully, despite interest from Swindon Town, our manager Dean Brennan decided to stay at our club. This was welcome news as his departure would have plunged us into the plughole. It also has re-energized the fanbase after a flat few weeks, me included. I am most excited for the season to commence and to spend my weekends and weeknights following this great club.
Despite the repetitiveness of having to go to all the same places and play largely the same teams, it will still be fun as nothing beats following your football club home and away. This time it can’t end in heartbreak. I can’t take it anymore.
So, season 2023/24, you were a pleasure until Saturday 27th April. 36/46 games attended all with their own memories and moments that stand out. We will go again next season, up the Barnet.
You Bees x
N Rowland Sports Writer 
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