Barnet Defeat QPR in Closed Door Game

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UPDATED REPORT

Barnet Official Site - QPR 1-2 Barnet

Liam Hatch scored a fine goal and Jason Puncheon curled in a free kick from outside the penalty area to give the Bees a deserved 2-1 win against Championship side QPR at the Championship club's training ground near Heathrow.

Manager Paul Fairclough told the 15 players who took part: "That was one of the best performances I have seen since I became the manager of Barnet".

The delighted manager - he and assistant Ian Hendon roared encouragement and advice from the touchline and cajoled the players to greater effort in the sun - added: "It was fantastic ... that is the sign of a group of players that refuses to be beaten".

I will pass on one last quote that will get the backing of all supporters:"That's the first of many this season".

Barnet included John Glele, a 21-year-old French left back from Amiens, and he marked his debut with a fine performance.

The Bees went behind to a soft-looking goal, but the tireless Hatch headed the ball down and placed his shot beyond the despairing leap of the Rangers goalkeeper for an equaliser. Puncheon, showing his skills and repeating Saturday's competitiveness, got a quality winner.

It could, perhaps should, have been more. Just a single goal from Hatch, but he had one close range header well saved by the Rangers' goalkeeper and struck another left foot shot that missed by inches when Adam Birchall set him up.

Michael Leary's Dad watched the game and his hard-tackling tough nut son was twice in the wars. Don't worry about Leary though - "he used to play a lot of rugby", said his father.
There was one casualty: Joe Devera had to go off with a groin strain

This is the team that started: - BLACKMORE; DEVERA, YAKUBU, BURTON, GLELE; CAREW, BISHOP, PORTER, PUNCHEON; BIRCHALL, THOMAS. Nicky Nicolau, Hatch, Max Porter and 18-year-old goalkeeper Tim Trebbs were later introduced.

Footnote: JASON NORVILLE,released at the end of last season, is back training with the Bees and is trying to convince the manager that he is fit after "two years in the wilderness". He is hoping for a new contract
Dennis Signy - Barnet Official Site

Barnet Official Site 18 Jul 2007
Liam Hatch and Jason Puncheon scored the goals as The Bees beat a strong Championship QPR side in a behind-closed-doors game today.
Manager Paul Fairclough said "That was an outstanding performance by a group of men that refused to be beaten" Full report from Dennis Signy to follow. Barnet