Bees fail to sting the Blues

Report

City recorded their first victory in seven games with a comfortable 2-0 win over a Barnet side who have the 50-point safety mark to play for.

A Phil Bolland header on the stroke of half time and Jamie Hand's strike midway through the second period ended a run of just two points from a possible 18. With only three goals since the last success, at home to Bury over a month ago, Blues supporters were looking for something to cheer about - and they got it.

Mark Wright opted to hand exciting young trio Chris Holroyd, Paul Rutherford and James Vaughan starts, making three changes to the side that commenced the 1-0 reverse at home to Rochdale last week.

Holroyd replaced Royce Brownlie, to partner Simon Yeo in attack, whilst Rutherford came into the midfield three in place of Brad Maylett - both loanees dropping to the bench. James Vaughan was handed his Football League debut at right wing-back, with Simon Marples ruled out injured. Lee Steele was recalled to the squad, named as a substitute.

In an even opening half, Barnet threatened early on and almost took a third minute lead when Blues defender Vaughan sliced a clearance towards his own goal. John Danby came to his defender's rescue, though, with an excellent save, clawing the ball away from danger.

City's best opportunities to break the deadlock fell before the half hour mark, the first two coming from Sean Hessey corners. First, Paul Linwood looped a header safely over visiting 'keeper Ross Flitney's goal after 16 minutes, from Hessey's in-swinging left-sided delivery. Then, just five minutes later, the towering Dave Artell rose unmarked to head goalwards in similar circumstances, with the same result.

The lively Rutherford was next to spurn an opportunity, following a superb solo run through the visitors' half. The teenage midfielder stuck low from the right side of the area, but he was denied by the legs of Flitney.

Rutherford proved to be a bright spark in a first half stifled of attacking open play by two strong defences, but the game opened up in the three minutes of injury time.

Vaughan struck a long range effort which Flitney did well to hold onto, before Barnet's hotshot striker Oliver Allen fired past Danby but against the foot of the near post when well positioned. Danby was to finish the encounter having barely needing to make a save.

City finally found a way through the visitors' defence in the third minute of the extras, from another Hessey corner. The midfielder's right-footed delivery swung in and was met by Artell, whose flick-on was thumped into the net by the head of City skipper Phil Bolland.

Relief for the Blues, who took a lead into the half-time break for the first time in 11 home games. That 4-1 victory over play-off candidates Lincoln back in early December was won in style, and the second half this afternoon was played out in similar fashion.

A vibrant, energetic attacking force ran rings round the Barnet defence at times and with the visitors never really looking like breaking through City's solid defence, the Blues searched for a killer second goal.

That duly arrived on 58 minutes when Jamie Hand was on hand to drive a powerful low strike from the edge of the area into the bottom corner, after receiving a lay-off from the tricky Holroyd who had waltzed his way into the Barnet penalty area. Job almost done.

Despite the tiring Rutherford leaving the field on the hour mark, to a round of applause from the vast majority of the 1,591 in attendance - Brad Maylett replacing him, City still managed to turn on the style.

Maylett had the Blues best effort, firing straight at Flitney from the right side of the area late on, after Dean Bennett had replaced Vaughan for the final quarter hour. It mattered not, though, as City eased to a much welcome three points.

A tough trip to league leaders Hartlepool is next up on Friday evening, but if the Blues can replicate their second half performance this afternoon they should have nothing to fear.
 

Report courtesy of Nathan Auty

Chester City: Danby, Linwood, Bolland, Artell, Vaughan (Bennett 77), Rutherford (Maylett 60), Hand, Hessey, Wilson, Holroyd, Yeo.

Unused substitutes: Steele, Brownlie, Sandwith.

Barnet: Flitney, Hendon, Yakubu, King (Devera 62), Gross, Cogan (Hatch 65), Sinclair, Bailey, Graham, Birchall, Allen (Grazioli 81).

Unused substitutes: Not Used: Harrison, Nicolau.