BARNET (The Hive)

CONFERENCE PREMIER, BARNET 1-1 WREXHAM, ATTENDANCE: 2,143

The second part of my North London double was a Barnet's new home, The Hive. This game was moved to the Sunday for live TV coverage and I was certainly not the only groundhopper attracted to this fixture. It also helped that The Bees had an offer on the tickets, knocking 50% of the normal prices.

Barnet left their home since 1907, Underhill, in May after a disagreement with the local council. This move took them out of the London Borough of Barnet and into the London Borough of Harrow.

The land where The Hive was built was originally called The Prince Edward Playing Fields and when construction began it was supposed to be for a new home for Wealdstone FC. Building was halted when Weadlstone's investment partners went into liquidation and Harrow council put the site up for tender in 2006, which Barnet won and it was used as their training ground.

The arguments for both sides can be found on this link...

http://www.onlybarnet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3231

The ground has recently run into problems regards planning permission for the West Stand and the floodlights;

http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/10707322.Barnet_FC_issued_enforcement_notice_from_council_over_stadium_at_the_Hive/?ref=rss

Nonetheless it wasn't really a that bad for a new build and the view from the away end was good.

The game was typical Conference fayre with plenty of perspiration but very little inspiration. Barnet took an early lead through Anthony Acheampong. It was a simple header as the guy was left unchallenged by a static Wrexham defence. Barnet played well in the opening 25 minutes, their defence protected superbly by their No1 Edgar Davids - don't think I have ever seen an outfield player with the No1 on his back - but Wrexham did have their moments going forward.

In the second half Barnet seemed content to sit back and play on the counter attack as Wrexham pushed forward in search of an equaliser. The homesters nearly pulled it off until the last minute of normal of play when they conceded a free kick. Dean Keates duly fired it home to level but it was what happened in the moments before the kick was taken that proved the talking point.

Edgar Davids picked up the ball to prevent a quick free kick and Stephen Wright tried to grab the ball from his hands. Davids proceeded to elbow Wright in the face and both were sent off, though why Wright was sent off I haven't the foggiest.

Deep into the 9 added minutes of stoppage time, Wrexham were reduced to 9 men as Johnny Hunt was shown a red card for a dreadful two footed 'tackle' and Barnet's David Stephens could have won the game but his header hit the post, when it looked simpler to score.

Home via the Euston Tap, another enjoyable day out, but I was so happy to have only paid £8 to watch the actual game!

A tribute to Barnet's fan base