Graz wins it with wonder goal

9:41pm Saturday 21st August 2004

Halifax Town 2 Barnet 3 . . .

A Giuliano Grazioli wonder goal capped a remarkable turnaround at The Shay this afternoon.

The on-form striker hit a brilliant 30-yard lob to seal a superb Barnet comeback.

The Bees had gone in at the break two goals down but squared things thanks to an own goal and a solo Liam Hatch effort. And then with 20 minutes to go, Grazioli let fly to stun the home fans.

Bees boss Paul Fairclough was full of praise for his battling troops.

"It was all about mental strength. I can't give the players enough credit.

"This was an historical victory for this club and I'm not being over the top."

Fairclough added: "I know I've got quality players but they really believed in themselves today."

This was certainly one of the most amazing turnarounds you will ever see.

Fairclough admitted Halifax were superb' in the first half and, though Barnet had two excellent chances themselves, the Bees could have few complaints about going in at the interval two down.

But the Shaymen completely collapsed when Barnet grabbed a lifeline shortly after the break and the end result was almost inevitable.

The Bees might have been two up within the first ten minutes, however. Richard Graham hit the side netting and Hatch headed over when perhaps both should have at least hit the target.

But the home side soon took control and Dean Howell broke the deadlock on 24 minutes when he burst through and rounded Shane Gore.

Ten minutes later Howell swung in a free-kick and Mark Monington beat the offside trap. He had all the time in the world to control the ball and lash it past Gore from close range.

But the Bees started the second half in determined fashion and had pulled one back within minutes, Steve Haslam heading a Graham cross into his own net.

Hatch then had a great chance to level on the hour but screwed a Graham centre wide from close range with just the keeper to beat.

But the striker made amends midway through the half. He charged down a clearance and, when the ball fell kindly for him, calmly steered it past the advancing keeper.

Two minutes later Hatch sent a ball down the right. Grazioli let it bounce once before sending a sensational volley over the Halifax keeper who had strayed a couple of yards off his line. Even the stunned Halifax fans could not help but applaud.

Martin Foster drove inches wide for the home side with five minutes to go, but Barnet comfortably held on to record a memorable victory.

BARNET (4-4-2): Gore; Hendon, Plummer, King, Clist; Strevens (Lopez 89), Sinclair (Bailey 90), Lee, Graham; Grazioli, Hatch. Subs not used: Millard, Dobson, Roache.

Attendance: 1,382.

Best Bee: Richard Graham.

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