Graham Stack hailed Barnet’s 1-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers as the club bid farewell to Underhill.
The goalkeeper made a 93rd minute penalty save to ensure the Bees left their home of 106-years with a win and, more importantly with a vital three points.
The 31-year-old, whose children were mascots, beamed with pride when reflecting on the 1-0 win.
“I am still very emotional at the moment. It was a massive day for everyone involved with Barnet Football Club. The fans, staff and players were all a credit to the club and we did ourselves proud.
“It was also a special day because three of my four children were mascots. My wife, dad, mum and a lot of my other family were also there.”
With seconds remaining it looked like the Bees would see out the win and although they did they had to the hard way.
“My heart sunk. It’s not an ideal scenario is it, we were 1-0 up and I hadn’t had much to do for the entire game.
“We like to throw up surprises but I was gutted when he pointed to the spot. However, I am a confident goalkeeper and I believe on my day I am capable of saving anyone’s penalty.”
He added: “Before I came to Barnet I had a good penalty saving record but I have faced around eleven penalties this season and that is the first one I have saved. It was disappointing earlier in the season but I did always say I
would save an important one.”
“Omar, our analyst, tells me on the bus where the penalty takers are likely to go but he didn’t tell me this time and I happened to save it. I had a little joke with him after the game because he has been a massive help to me this season.”
Despite a tense win the goalkeeper believes the Bees fully deserved to take all three points.
“Regardless of the penalty save the way we approached the game, the chances we created, the tempo we played at and everything about the game was very positive.
“In the end I think we were worthy of our 1-0 win and I think it could have been more but I am delighted. What a difference a week can make, the fact it is now in our hands is the biggest plus for us.”
Jake Hyde got the goal that mattered nine minutes from time and Stack praised the impact of the forward and youngster Luke Gambin.
“We often moan that we don’t create enough but we still score one or two goals, Saturday it was the opposite. It reminded me of the Rotherham game earlier in the season when we were hammering the door down but we couldn’t score.
He continued: “On Saturday we did and credit to Jake Hyde because on the day another centre-forward may have crumbled. He was determined, he stayed focussed and he kept getting in the right areas.
“Luke Gambin also did tremendously when he came on, he put in a fantastic ball and Hydey was there to get on the end of it.”
As an 18-year-old Stack made his Arsenal debut at Underhill but he refused to get too caught up in the moment and immediately looked ahead to next weekend’s vital match.
“I remember making my Arsenal debut at Underhill as an 18-year-old so the history of it goes back a long way for me.
“I remember the little changes but for the most part it has remained the same. Overall it was a fantastic day but we still have unfinished business next weekend.”
The Bees travel to Northampton on the final day of the 2012/13 season but Stack is confident of matching the promotion pushing side.
“We have done well against the bigger sides this season, wins against the likes of Gillingham and Rotherham United prove that.
“We are capable of going away to sides higher up the table and getting a result and we will play with no fear.
“Our destiny is in our own hands and we know exactly what we need to do. Even though we can lose and stay up that is not what we want. We have to go to Northampton and win.”
