Barnet 0 Wycombe Wanderers 0

Last updated : 21 January 2006 By Footymad Previewer
Barnet and Wycombe played out an uninspired 0-0 draw on an emotional afternoon at Underhill Stadium.

A minute's silence had been impeccably observed prior to kick-off, in memory of Wanderers' young midfielder Mark Philo, who tragically lost his life in a road accident last Saturday.

After a subdued opening to the game, it took until the 24th minute before a chance of any note arrived. Giuliano Grazioli brought a stunning reflex save from Matt Duke with a close-range header.

Unfortunately for Duke an offside decision had already been given against Grazioli, making the save academic.

Wycombe seemed to be settling better than their hosts and only minutes later Danny Senda burst clear on the right, before cutting back on to his left foot and firing into the sidenetting when he should have at least hit the target.

In truth this was about as good as it got in a first half severely lacking in quality from either side.

The second half began in much the same fashion but Wycombe almost raced into the lead on 61 minutes. A superb burst through the middle took Sergio Torres clear until the Argentinian was halted by a superb last-ditch block from Adam Gross, the rebound fell again to Danny Senda, who failed to control his finish.

The Chairboys were beginning to turn the screw and only minutes later Kevin Betsy found some space 20 yards from goal.

He fired a shot that was heading for the top corner until Ross Flitney dived full length to divert the ball away for a corner and earn Barnet a much needed point.

The home side can be particularly pleased with the debut of 40-year-old Andy Hessenthaler, whose vocal presence and organisational skills seemed to rub off well on Barnet's young side.

Wycombe will feel that they didn't produce anything like what they are capable of, this was perhaps not surprising on an afternoon where the importance of football was put firmly into perspective.