Match Report: Barnet 0, Port Vale 0
Steve Shaw at Underhill Stadium
PORT Vale’s hard-fought point at Barnet this afternoon was marred by the last sending off of skipper Tommy Fraser – who had only just returned from suspension.
Fraser was banned for the midweek 1-0 FA Cup victory at Stevenage for picking up five bookings.
After being recalled for today’s Underhill clash Fraser will now serve a further three-match ban after his injury-time lunge on Ahmed Deen earned him a straight red.
Vale clung onto a valuable point as a mixture wasteful finishing and poor fortune cost Barnet dear.
The hosts enjoyed the lion’s share of the chances against a determined, yet uncreative Vale outfit that also had keeper Chris Martin to thank for making a string of fine saves.
Barnet, who are now unbeaten in nine home league matches, also hit the woodwork during the first-half but Vale held out to earn a hard-fought point.
Vale made two changes to the side that secured a 1-0 FA Cup first-round replay victory at Stevenage Borough in midweek.
Influential centre-half Gareth Owen made a welcome return sporting a white protective face mask at the heart of Vale’s defence.
The 27-year-old’s snazzy head gear protected the fractured cheek bone he suffered just 10 days ago.
Owen’s inclusion meant Kris Taylor was restored to left wing-back after filling in at centre half in midweek.
Fraser was recalled at the expense of central midfielder Jason Jarrett, while defender Luke Prosser also returned from suspension and was named among seven substitutes.
Loan attacker Lewis Haldane dropped to the bench though after picking up a slight knock, allowing Rob Taylor to take up a forward role alongside Louis Dodds and Marc Richards.
As the rain lashed down on Underhill’s slopy pitch Vale started brightly before their goal came under fire from a trio of long-range efforts.
However, shots from striker John O’Flynn, Albert Jarrett and Yannick Bolasie within the first five minutes failed to test Valiants stopper Chris Martin.
In a clash of styles Vale’s high -octane passing approach in midfield contrasted with Barnet’s more direct approach as they tried to unleash the pace of wingers Bolasie and Jarrett at every opportunity.
Vale created their first opening in the ninth minute when Bees keeper Jake Cole got down well to keep out Louis Dodds’s glancing shot from 10 yards.
Four minutes later O’Flynn saw his shot-on-the-turn, from 14 yards, deflected to safety before Vale centre-half John McCombe had to receive treatment off the pitch for a cut under his eye.
Vale enjoyed a let-off in the 20th minute when a cleared set-piece found its way to Jarrett deep on the right. The midfielder’s dipping cross found an unmarked Ismail Yakubu who hit the top of the bar with a close-range header.
Barnet went close again in the 28th minute from Bolasie’s corner. This time Vale allowed the ball to role to O’Flynn whose 12-yard drive had to be headed to safety by McCombe standing just a few yards off the goal-line.
Doug Loft’s strong diving tackle on Barnet full-back Kenny Gillet sparked a touch-line confrontation between Bees boss Ian Hendon and Vale reserve-team keeper Joe Anyon before tempers were calmed.
Dodds produced a rare Vale shot in the 32nd minute but Cole was more than a match for his low 20-yarder, before Bolasie responded by flashing a shot beyond the far left-hand post.
Before the break Martin produced two diving saves to deny angled efforts from midfielder Mark Hughes and O’Flynn.
In first-half injury-time Richards threatened to break loose by latching onto Fraser’s through ball but Cole won their race to the ball and cleared.
Barnet continued to push forward at the start of the second period. Jarrett’s left-flank cross found its way to the far post where O’Flynn was unable to divert the ball on target from the tightest of angles.
But while Vale struggled to apply sustained pressure they almost scored a spectacular goal on 55 minutes.
When Fraser’s corner was cleared to the edge of the box Kris Taylor’s kung-fu style volley flew inches past the left-hand post.
On the hour-mark veteran striker Paul Furlong produced good hold-up play before touching the ball off to Micah Hyde.
However, the midfielder’s ferocious 20-yard drive went the wrong side of the right-hand post.
Vale boss Micky Adams tried to freshen up his attack on the hour mark by throwing on Haldane and Jarrett for Rob Taylor and Loft respectively.
Martin came to Vale’s rescue again in the 62nd minute when Gillet broke down the right. The ball was delivered to the opposite flank and back to the right before Gillet’s deep cross found the feet of O’Flynn whose low eight-yard drive was blocked by Martin.
But the game became increasingly scrappy as Barnet appeared to be running out of ideas of how to break down Vale’s resilient rearguard.
O’Flynn missed another chance late on before Fraser was given his marching orders.
Match stats:
Teams:
Barnet: Cole, Gillett, Yakubu, Leech, Deen, Bolasie (Adomah, 72), M Hyde, Hughes, Jarrett, Furlong (J Hyde, 72), O’Flynn.
Not used: Carpenter, Deverdics, Hart, Lockhart-Adams, Scott.
Port Vale: Martin, Griffith, Owen, McCombe, Collins, K Taylor, Fraser, Loft (Jarrett, 60), Richards, Dodds (Glover, 78), R Taylor (Haldane, 60).
Not used: Anyon, Howland, Yates, Prosser.
Referee: Fred Graham (Essex)
Attendance: 1,939 (including 379 visitors)
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