Bailey hits early winner for Bees (From Times Series)

Bailey hits early winner for Bees

6:34pm Saturday 19th November 2005 in

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Barnet 1 Torquay United 0 . . .

Nicky Bailey struck in the 13th minute to see off bottom-club Torquay at Underhill this afternoon.

Manager Paul Fairclough admitted this was "not a classic Barnet performance" but was happy with the three points.

He said: "Points are hard to come by and every point you gain, you really have to work hard for.

"Torquay are as good as anyone we've played this season."

He added: "We've ground out a 1-0 victory. Other teams have been doing that to us this season, now it's our turn.

"That's seven points from our last three games and that's good form."

Barnet started brightly and there were early chances for Bailey and Liam Hatch, the latter putting a half-volley just wide from a chest-down by Ben Strevens.

The goal did not take long to arrive and it came from a fine move. Louie Soares got to the byline and crossed deep for Hatch who laid the ball into the path of the oncoming Bailey. The midfielder made no mistake with the finish, steering the ball past the keeper from 12 yards.

But Torquay were gifted an opportunity to get back into the game within five minutes, when Damian Batt was rather harshly penalised for tugging at Paul Robinson's shirt just inside the box.

The Torquay player took the resultant spot kick himself but rolled it well wide.

Chances were few. Giuliano Grazioli hit the bar with a header but it would not have counted as the referee blew for a foul, while, at the other end, Ian Stonebridge poked the ball home from close range only to be denied by an offside flag.

The Gulls were making a fight of it but, after Darren Garner drilled well over ten minutes into the second half, Barnet began to take control and the Torquay heads seemed to drop.

The second almost came on the hour. A Soares corner was flicked on by Ismail Yakubu, but Grazioli could not get enough on the ball to steer it home from close range.

Soares then saw a corner almost catch out the Torquay keeper but the ball crashed against the upright.

The Bees always looked the likelier to score and sub Jason Norville, encouraged to shoot more by Fairclough, did just that when he came on. Despite having the final chances of the match, he was unable to add to the goal he scored at Stockport last week.

Torquay never looked like grabbing an equaliser and Barnet comfortably held on to continue their climb back up the League Two table.

BARNET: Flitney; Hendon, Yakubu, King, Batt; Soares, Bailey, Sinclair, Strevens; Grazioli (Norville 77), Hatch. Subs not used: Tynan, Charles, Lee, Roache.

Attendance: 2,368.

Best Bee: Liam Hatch.