Barnet Football Club

BARNET FOOTBALL CLUB

ARCHIVED ARTICLE
PLEASE CHECK WITH THE CLUB FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION

Martin Allen: Last Time Out

Martin Allen’s last match in charge of Barnet Football Club could not have been bigger as the Bees headed to the Pirelli Stadium with their League Two status hanging in the balance on the final day of the 2011/12 season.
The Bees needed a win and they couldn’t of got off to a better start when Mark Byrne’s deflected free-kick secured a sixth minute lead.
The Brewers fought back to equalise in the 27th minute and the mood went from agony to ecstasy in the away end when Calvin Zola skied a penalty after being fouled by Byrne. 
Elsewhere Hereford United led against Torquay and Allen’s side looked set for the drop until captain Mark Hughes volleyed the Bees back into the lead with 30 minutes remaining.
The drama continued into the latter stages of the game with Dean Brill superbly denying Patrick Ada in added time to ensure the Bees survived on the final day for a third consecutive season.
Post-match Allen spoke to BBC London 94.9 to look back on special afternoon filled with tension, anxiety and in the end, ecstasy. 
"It was a nervy afternoon, we didn’t play that well in the first half but that was to be expected with the tension and anxiety throughout the week.
"The second half we played really well, we really stepped up to the mark and full credit to the players for that performance.
"That was total domination, it was really just a matter of time.
"There were two penalties that didn’t go our way but the captain got the fantastic shot and we got a deserved three points.
"It was a really special afternoon."
As a result of that win Hereford United were relegated to the Conference Premier and coincidently it is the Bulls who are town this weekend when Allen makes his return to the Barnet dugout.
The stage is set for an absolute classic with familiar faces returning and old scores to settle so make sure you’re at The Hive at 3pm this Saturday to watch the drama unfold.