Barnet 3, Chester City 1

Mar 17 2008 by David Triggs, Liverpool Daily Post

MANAGER Simon Davies made a personal apology to Chester’s travelling fans at Underhill after his team slumped to a 15th defeat in 18 Coca-Cola League Two matches.

After the final whistle, Davies headed straight over to the 163 City supporters who had witnessed yet another below-par display.

The former youth team boss spent several minutes talking to the fans, shaking hands with some and offering his apologies, before heading back to the changing rooms.

Saturday’s latest setback was the fourth defeat Davies has suffered since taking over from Bobby Williamson at the start of the month.

A low-key first half had almost ended on a high note for City, with Paul Rutherford’s excellent volley somehow being tipped over the crossbar by Barnet goalkeeper Lee Harrison.

But it all went wrong for Chester after the break as they were stung by a three-goal blast from the Bees.

The opener arrived on 49 minutes when Albert Adomah took advantage of a mix-up between keeper John Danby and Tony Dinning to put the hosts 1-0 up.

As the two City players hesitated, Adomah nipped in between them and fired the ball into the empty net.

Barnet’s second goal was scored in controversial circumstances 20 minutes from time after they were awarded a dubious penalty when Cliff Akurang tumbled under the challenge of Danby. The City keeper clearly won the ball before Akurang went to ground, but referee Kevin Friend pointed to the spot and Akurang stepped up to fire home from 12 yards.

With only 10 minutes remaining, Barnet netted a third when Akurang exposed some slack marking to head an Anthony Thomas cross into the top corner.

There was still time for City to snatch an injury-time consolation through Mark Hughes, who scored with a diving header after Kevin Ellison’s fierce drive had only been partially cleared.

But this was another dismal defeat and Chester are now facing a daunting run of fixtures against promotion-chasing sides – starting with Darlington’s visit to the Deva Stadium this Saturday.

BARNET: Harrison, Parkes, Yakubu, Devera, Gillet (Carew 85), Adomah (St Aimie 84), Bishop, Wright (Leary 87), Nicolau, Thomas, Akurang. Subs: Grazioli, Porter.

CHESTER: Danby, J Vaughan (Sandwith 10), Linwood, Dinning, Wilson, Rutherford (Grant 55), Roberts, Hughes, Ellison, Murphy, McManus (Mitchell 75). Subs: Palethorpe, Kelly. Booked: Hughes.

ATTENDANCE: 1,663.

REFEREE: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).