Norville sees off the Spireites (From Times Series)

Norville sees off the Spireites

8:51pm Saturday 22nd September 2007

• Print
• Email
• Share

Chesterfield 0 Barnet 1 . . .

Barnet have waited a long time for Jason Norville to deliver.

But the striker went some way to repaying the faith the club have shown in him with a second-half winner at Saltergate this afternoon.

Norville's Underhill career looked to be over before it really got going, but he has hopefully now put his injury problems behind him, as the Bees stunned the previously unbeaten joint leaders.

In truth, Norville (and Barnet come to that) had not had a sniff until he struck 20 minutes from time.

Strike partner Adam Birchall flicked on a Nicky Nicolau centre at the near post and Norville found the corner with his head from just inside the six-yard box.

It was the classic sucker punch, with the Spireites creating all the chances before the surprise winner.

And Nicolau also had to clear a fierce Jack Lester snapshot off the line just a few minutes later to preserve the points.

Chesterfield created a few anxious moments in the closing stages, but it was not their day and the Bees defended admirably throughout, often throwing themselves in front of any threat.

This was not a classic encounter and not even the hosts created that many chances. It took them half-an-hour to register their first opening, Barnet keeper Lee Harrison denying Lester at the near post and then seeing Sagi Burton block Jamie Lowry's follow-up.

Peter Leven then curled a free-kick wide but that was about all either team could muster in the opening 45 minutes.

Chesterfield created a couple of chances after the break, but it did not get much better, with the match drifting towards a stalemate.

But Norville was to stun the hosts and earn Barnet their first away win of the campaign.

The Bees might consider themselves fortunate, but they worked their socks off throughout and certainly deserved at least a point for their efforts, even if they did not offer much in front of goal.

It was perhaps ironic that Barnet should take the one chance that came their way, having squandered a hatful the week before.

* See Thursday's Times for all the action and analysis from Saltergate.

BARNET (4-4-2): Harrison; Devera, Yakubu (O'Ceaurill 80), Burton, Gillet (Nicolau 45); Porter, Wright, Bishop, Puncheon; Birchall, Norville (Thomas 75). Subs not used: Beckwith, Carew.

Attendance: 4,088.

• Print
• Email
• Share