Forest Green Rovers moved to the top of the National League after battling to a goalless draw with promotion rivals Barnet at The New Lawn on Tuesday night. Despite limited clear-cut chances, both teams showcased their defensive strengths, ensuring they shared the spoils on a foggy evening.
The match kicked off with high expectations, as both teams began with urgency. Barnet was the quicker to settle, earning several chances early on but failing to convert. The Bees' Callum Stead and Lee Ndlovu both tested the Rovers’ goalkeeper Jed Ward, who proved to be the standout player of the match with key saves.
According to Barnet manager Dean Brennan, the match demonstrated his team's resilience as they maintained their spot among the division's best. “It was important we didn’t get beaten. I thought, in the first half when we should have been in the lead, we weren’t,” Brennan said, lamenting missed opportunities but acknowledging the quality of Forest Green’s defense.
Forest Green had their first notable chance when they earned a corner early on, but the Bees' defense managed to clear the threat. Similarly, Barnet’s Idris Kanu had a brilliant chance to score, only to be thwarted by Ward's reflexes. The first half saw Barnet dominate possession, but they could not break the deadlock, ending the half at 0-0.
After halftime, the Rovers seemed reinvigorated. Just thirty seconds after the restart, Stead had another shot on goal, forcing Ward to tip the ball over the bar. This sequence ignited Forest Green's attack. Brennan noted, “Bar Maidenhead away, our performance levels and our phases were excellent again tonight,” illustrating the confidence he has in his players' consistency.
The best chance of the match came just past the hour mark when Harvey Bunker of Forest Green aimed for goal after receiving the ball from the left. A goalmouth scramble followed, involving numerous players; yet, it was Barnet's sturdy defensive unit, led by goalkeeper Owen Evans and player Callum Stead, who successfully cleared the danger.
“We limited them to really - our goalie didn’t have many saves to make,” Brennan added, praising his team's defensive efforts. Although the Rovers mounted pressure late in the game, they were denied several opportunities to find the net. Coach Steve Cotterill noted, “We probably knew they may have had more of the ball than us which has been unusual of late,” reflecting on both teams' tactical changes as the match progressed.
Despite the lack of scoring, Rovers’ fans left the match uplifted by their team's unbeaten run of fifteen games, which might be seen as frustrating, especially considering their dominant first-half performances throughout the season. “I suppose the bonus side of everything tonight is the lads are a tinge disappointed because they have gone top-of-the-league,” Cotterill stated after the match.
With only three minutes left, Rovers were denied what they believed was a penalty when Joe Quigley was pressured inside the box. Cotterill expressed some frustration at the officiation, stating, “I was really disappointed with the referee on lots of occasions,” hinting at the intensity and stakes of this encounter.
The midfield was another area of focus with Dean Brennan highlighting the contributions of his players, especially newly arrived Anthony Hartigan. After making his debut, Hartigan was praised for his performance, which contributed to Barnet's solid defensive display.
With both Barnet and Forest Green remaining close on the league table, each team will now prepare for their upcoming matches, aiming to gain valuable points. The Bees look to end their winless streak as they face Southend United next, which Brennan describes as “a horrible place to go.” Meanwhile, Forest Green fans can take solace as they prepare for their next league game against Rochdale, where they hope to maintain their position at the top.
Attendance for the match was noted at 1,492, with 164 away supporters traveling to support Barnet.