Barnet’s top marksman Izale McLeod scored a brace in last night’s 2-2 draw with Cheltenham Town at Underhill and in the process took his overall League tally to an impressive 14. The former Charlton striker swept home a first half equaliser from an inviting Sam Deering cross before levelling the scores once more in the second period with a well executed penalty to deny the visitors a ninth consecutive away win.
For the third consecutive League Weekend, Barnet were involved in a Friday night encounter with high-flying Cheltenham as they looked to continue their climb away from the relegation places. It had been confirmed this week that the North London club are set to leave their prestigious home of Underhill in an attempt to relocate elsewhere after various disagreements with the council, but it didn’t seem to distract the host’s as they more than played their part in a high-tempo, frenetic match. The first warning sign came from Bees skipper Mark Hughes who flashed a shot just wide after dispossessing Marlon Pack in a scrappy midfield battle.
McLeod’s physical threat was becoming more obvious as the half gathered pace, the big striker found himself through on goal but his audacious lob over visiting Goalkeeper Scott Brown was cleared of the line by Robins captain Alan Bennett to spare Brown’s blushes.
Despite a dominant opening from Lawrie Sanchez’s men, Cheltenham landed the first blow just past the half hour mark. Marlon Pack’s in swinging set piece, floated dangerously to the far post where Kaid Mohamed stooped and powerfully diverted a header out of the reaches of Barnet Goalkeeper Dean Brill. The goal was perhaps against the run of play, but the first real bit of quality had given promotion-chasing Cheltenham a first half lead.
In response, fleet of foot, winger Mark Marshall almost, immediately levelled for the host’s after seeing his near post shot turned away by Brown. With the home support sensing an equaliser before the break, McLeod grabbed his first of the evening, steering in Deering’s enticing cross. You would have thought the deserved equaliser would have given the Bees the impetus to push for a second. However, as the first half drew to a close the Visitors were handed a golden chance to restore their lead. Hughes’ contentious foul on Mohamed gave Darryl Duffy the opportunity to reinstate Cheltenham’s lead from the penalty spot. Amongst the chorus of boos from the Barnet supporters Duffy slammed his penalty past Brill to send the visitors in at half time a goal ahead.
The controversial ending to the first period had clearly riled Sanchez’s troops, Deering almost found a route through the Cheltenham defence only for Steve Elliot to produce a brilliantly-timed sliding tackle to prevent the influential midfielder from bearing down on goal. Some hesitant Robins defending presented McLeod with the chance to level the scores once more as the referee pointed to the spot for the second time. Full back Sido Jombati failed to clear and brought down McLeod inside the penalty area, the striker expertly converted his own penalty to haul Barnet level. Amidst all of the drama temperatures were beginning to fray, a fuming Sanchez was sent to the stands for expressing his displeasure towards the referee for not showing the fortunate Jombati a straight red card.
In spite of the freezing cold weather, the contest was boiling over as both sides looked for a decisive fifth goal in an enthralling encounter. Clovis Kamdjo received a yellow card for a clumsy tackle on Brown after the Goalkeeper had collected the loose ball. The midfield battle seemed to have preserved both sides with at least a point, as a stop, start second half entered its final ten minutes. Cheltenham had lacked a distinct cutting edge during the second period, this was most clearly evident when Brian Smikle had the opportunity to send 220 Robins supporters home delighted as he broke through a disjointed Barnet defence. His goal bound lob looked certain to be the defining moment, but agonisingly drifted wide in swirling conditions.
The visitors were enjoying their most prominent stage in the Barnet half and had one final chance to record a seventh away league win of the season as substitute Jeff Goulding’s low drive was parried away by Brill.
A thrilling contest had reached its conclusion, a draw arguably a fair result. The news that Bees boss Sanchez will not be reuniting with Northern Ireland is something to delight all connected with the club. A striker bang in form is another reason for all Barnet fans to feel merry especially at this time of year.
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