GREAT MATCHES - CRAWLEY TOWN 2004-05

CRAWLEY TOWN 1-3 BARNET

Nationwide Conference - 7^th December 2004

Attendance 2,949

For those of us lucky enough to be part of the promotion winning season from the Conference back into the Football League in 2004/05 there were a quite few magical games. However there was an evening when we all began to realise that more than one individual was at his peak and the team were becoming rather special.

To set the scene, the world unites at the Athens Olympics, Greece win Euro 2004 and we are watching Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Troy at the cinema.

“That winning goal was worth the entrance fee alone” was Manager Paul Fairclough's description of Dean Sinclair’s stunning 35 yard injury time dipping volley that capped a wonderful Bees performance at Crawley Town's Broadfield Stadium which had become a fortress with Town so far unbeaten. Nearly 3,000 fans, including a very boisterous contingent form Barnet, upped the atmosphere.

Paul Fairclough

After a 15 minute delay – allowing late comers to find a spot on the terraces – the game started and the The Bees took control mainly thanks to what was one of the strongest three man midfields that the club has ever fielded. However they were almost made to pay for their first real lapse after 27th minutes when, after receiving a short wayward throw from Scott Tynan, Ismail Yakubu miss-controlled and presented the ball to Allan Tait on the edge of the penalty area. Tait then seemed to hurry as he dragged his shot wide. 

Three minutes later the home and the visiting supporters were applauding a technically perfect Giuliano Grazioli finish as a telling Liam Hatch cross was met perfectly on the volley by the Bees goal machine. Time and time again during that campaign Graz would astound the audience with his variety of clinical finishes.

Graz scores again

Into the second half and shortly after the restart Graz added his and Barnet's second, holding off Joe Dolan while chipping the ball perfectly over the advancing Paul Smith courtesy of another Hatch assist – a classic striker's goal. Danny Davidson gave Crawley some hope pulling a goal back with 20 minutes remaining converting a Ben Judge cross but the last word was left to Sinclair.

 A weak Smith clearance was beautifully cushioned and teed up by Richard Graham for Deano to control the ball with his knee and crash the ball into the bottom corner of the net. Seriously wild celebrations followed (one of the best stacks of all time) and the game was perfectly summarised by Fairclough, "Three class goals that would grace the Premiership. If you see three better goals than that, then please tell me.”

Dean Sinclair

What was more the result left Barnet with a plus 37 goal difference and a massive 10 points clear at the top of the table with Carlisle United in 2^nd place – now that sounds great doesn't it?

Barnet: Scott Tynan – Ian Hendon, Ismail Yakubu, Simon King, Simon Clist – Nicky Bailey, Dwane Lee, Dean Sinclair, Richard Graham – Giuliano Grazioli, Liam Hatch.

Subs: Ben Strevens, Lee Roache, Damien Batt, James Elmes and Ricky Millard.