Fulham played host to Barnet on Wednesday afternoon and remained on course
for top spot in the Avon Insurance Combination League.
Having won their previous game at Gillingham, Steve Kean’s men appeared
to have resumed their characteristic shape and passing play, which had deserted
them to a degree against both Norwich City and Colchester.
The match started with Fulham keeping possession well and passing for much
of the opening exchanges in their own half. Fulham’s main method of attacking
was to draw Barnet out, then quickly switch play to the flanks were an unmarked
wide man was usually waiting to gratefully receive the ball.
The opening goal of the day came from the penalty spot. After Elvis Hammond
was brought down in the box, Nicolas Sahnoun stepped up and calmly sent the
‘keeper the wrong way to make it 1-0.
Fulham’s controlling share of possession became, at times, frustrating
for the Barnet side as the number of niggling tackles and fouls began to accumulate.
With Fulham continuing to find more and more space out on the wings as the
first half progressed, a second goal seemed inevitable. It came with minutes
left in the first half. Following some nice build up play, Eddie McClements
lashed his shot home after a Barnet defender had blocked Fulham’s first
effort.
With Fulham now fully in control of the match, Barnet needed to pull something
special out of the bag to get back into the game.
The second half saw a much-improved display from the visitors. Whereas in the
first half they were often struggling to get possession of the ball, the second
period saw them pushing Fulham on to the back foot for long periods.
Despite their possession however, Barnet appeared unable to penetrate Fulham’s
defence until midway through the half.
Having won the ball inside Fulham’s penalty area, Austin Berkley calmly
evaded a despairing challenge before placing his slightly delayed shot past
Hahnemann
Sensing they could get something out of the match, Barnet continued to apply
pressure. But alas it was too little too late as their increasingly impatient
attacks began to lose their purpose. The match finished soon after.
Fulham team: Marcus Hahnemann, Zesh Rehman, Paul Trollope, Simon Morgan, Alan
Neilson, Nicolas Sahnoun, Malik Buari, Eddie McClements, Elvis Hammond, Calum
Willock, Terry Phelan
Subs Used: Zat Knight, Mark Hudson and Kieran McAnepsie
Source fulham fc by Dominic Guerra