Bees off the mark in style

6:30pm Saturday 19th August 2006

Barnet 3 Hereford United 0 . . .

Three superb goals gave Barnet their first points of the season.

Giuliano Grazioli, Nicky Bailey and Jason Puncheon struck to silence the critics in what was an excellent response following last week's disappointing showing at Accrington.

Manager Paul Fairclough said: "This was a really big result for us and the supporters, who were all getting a bit concerned. It's a much-relieved club at the moment."

Fairclough was full of praise for his troops.

"It was all down to the players for their application throughout the week. There were some big performances out there today."

The Bees took the game to their hosts and showed few signs of any lack of confidence following three straight defeats. It was just the sort of response that was required.

Barnet started positively and Tresor Kandol almost broke the deadlock in the opening minutes, his powerful drive just clearing the bar after Barry Cogan had won a tackle.

Chances were limited in the opening stages, but the Bees looked in control.

Tim Sills might have capitalised on a short Anthony Charles back pass after 25 minutes, but Lee Harrison was alert and came out quickly to block. The home keeper was then at full stretch to hold a low Stuart Fleetwood shot that was heading for the far corner.

But it was the Bees who looked the more purposeful and they got their reward on 28 minutes. Ian Hendon split the defence with a fine through pass and Grazioli had time to bury the ball in the bottom corner from just inside the box. It was a quality finish from the striker who many were beginning to doubt.

Dean Sinclair then forced former Bee Scott Tynan to hold a left-foot drive, while a far-post Bailey header from a Cogan corner was deflected behind.

There was a scare for the hosts just after the break but Harrison did well to block Fleetwood, who squeezed in a shot after out-pacing Simon King down the right.

Puncheon almost doubled the lead on the hour, but his powerful drive from the edge of the box was tipped over.

It was game over two minutes later. Bailey burst into the box and rode the half-hearted challenges before firing a low shot that ended in the corner of the net via a deflection. It was almost reminiscent of his wonder goal at Bristol City last season.

Barnet were now cruising as the Hereford heads dropped. Sinclair flicked on a Cogan cross and Kandol rose to head inches wide, while Sinclair failed to keep down an effort after cutting inside.

At the other end, Harrison parried an Andy Williams drive, but it was a rare Hereford foray.

Puncheon hit a snapshot just the wrong side of the post and then set up Kandol, but the striker's shot flashed just wide. The former finally gained his reward in injury time. The ball came to Puncheon on the edge of the box. He looked for someone to pass to, but his options were limited. The midfielder made his mind up to have a go and sent a beautiful curling effort over Tynan and into the top corner.

It was the perfect way to round off a brilliant day for the Bees.

BARNET (4-4-2): Harrison; Hendon, Charles, King, Nicolau; Cogan (Graham 79), Bailey, Sinclair, Puncheon; Grazioli (Hatch 82), Kandol. Subs not used: Flitney, Warhurst, Vieira.

* Manager Paul Fairclough said afterwards that Andy Hessenthaler was forced to miss the game through illness.