TOWN's ineptitude from the penalty spot may have been the decisive factor at Underhill last night but, had they made more of a huge share of possession, their nerve from 12 yards would never have needed to have been tested.
Four missed spot kicks out of four ensured boss Maurice Malpas endured a miserable first taste of the magic' of the FA Cup - but he must be wondering how on earth his side are not looking forward to a tasty fourth round local derby against Bristol Rovers.
When Billy Paynter broke his goal-drought with a cool 41st minute drive no-one could have forseen the drama that was to follow as Town looked likely to build on their first half dominance and kill the tie.
But a resurgent Barnet emerged after the break, with winger Jason Puncheon a constant threat, and Paynter's 53rd minute own goal suddenly saw Town hanging on to their FA Cup lives.
Town's biggest crime of the evening was failing to take advantage of Michael Leary's sending off with just over 15 minutes remaining for violent conduct, as that final bit of cleverness was lacking in the final third.
The shoot-out itself was an affair all Town players would like to forget, with Paynter, Hasney Aljofree and Christian Roberts all missing the target and Miguel Comminges' weak strike being easily saved by goalkeeper Rob Beckwith.
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Town's preparations for the trip to Underhill were hit when Craig Easton was forced to pull out with a calf strain, giving Michael Pook a rare start in midfield.
But the change looked to have had little effect with the visitors starting brightly and left winger Sofi Zaaboub in sparkling form, going down the infamous slope.
Billy Paynter celebrates his first-half opener
The Frenchman can often infuriate fans with his erratic final ball but last night everything he touched in the first 45 minutes seemed to work as he terrorised his lower league opponents.
His cross was headed wide by Paynter on 14 minutes, while just a minute later he had a shot-cum-cross that was cleared off the line by Ismail Yakubu.
While never in top gear, and often wasteful with an abundance of possession, Town looked to have the better of their opponents and continuously created the better chances.
Blair Sturrock should have opened the scoring on 19 minutes, after more good Zaaboub approach play, but his strike wide from an angle would later prove to be very costly.
At the other end, Puncheon saw an audacious volley from 40 yards clear the bar but in the main it was all one-way traffic without that final spark of imagination.
The deserved opener came on 41 minutes and was one of the moves of the match as Zaaboub continued to torment his opponents.
The winger played a clever ball through to Paynter and the striker showed none of his lack of confidence in front of goal to fire home from eight yards.
Many expected a procession after the break but it was never to be as Town seemed to again freeze in a winning position and hand the initiative back to their unfancied hosts.
Cliff Akurang should have levelled just a minute after the restart but Town failed to heed the warning and were punished just a few minutes later.
Puncheon was again given time down the right and his low cross was put into his own net by Paynter, in the middle of a crowded penalty box.
Stung into action, Town hit back but were unable to create any clear-cut chances as Barnet dug in.
What should have been the turning point came on 73 minutes when Michael Leary was dismissed for violent conduct, after a heavy tackle on the flying Zaaboub.
Zaaboub was carried off and taken to hospital for x-rays but Town failed to make the most of their numerical advantage.
Roberts, Barry Corr and Jamie Vincent all went close late on but as penalties loomed nearer, a winning goal became increasingly unlikely.
Jerel Ifil, the sole survivor from Town's last shoot-out heartbreak, a play-off semi-final exit to Brighton, will know at least this time his side have a chance to put the hurt behind them and build a promotion winning campaign.
Barnet rightly enjoyed their moment of fame but hopefully by the end of the campaign a miserable night in Underhill will be forgotten by all at the County Ground.
Posted by: STFC4Life, Swindon on 8:45am Wed 23 Jan 08
Finally time to accept the fact that we have a lot of junk players at the club ? ! ? !
Pook, Roberts, Zaboub, Aljofree and Vincent. and thats just in the selected 16!
lets hope we get some better players to keep our play-off dream alive!
Finally time to accept the fact that we have a lot of junk players at the club ? ! ? !
Pook, Roberts, Zaboub, Aljofree and Vincent. and thats just in the selected 16!
lets hope we get some better players to keep our play-off dream alive!
[quote][bold]STFC4Life[/bold] wrote:
Finally time to accept the fact that we have a lot of junk players at the club ? ! ? ! Pook, Roberts, Zaboub, Aljofree and Vincent. and thats just in the selected 16! lets hope we get some better players to keep our play-off dream alive![/quote] Absolutely agree with danielread! Aljofree has been quality all season and Vincent is an effective and solid performer - OK penalty shoot out was a shocker and its a poor result but some of the reaction is bordering on hysterical....
STFC4Life wrote:
Finally time to accept the fact that we have a lot of junk players at the club ? ! ? ! Pook, Roberts, Zaboub, Aljofree and Vincent. and thats just in the selected 16! lets hope we get some better players to keep our play-off dream alive!
Absolutely agree with danielread! Aljofree has been quality all season and Vincent is an effective and solid performer - OK penalty shoot out was a shocker and its a poor result but some of the reaction is bordering on hysterical....
Posted by: mgstfc, chippenham on 9:20am Wed 23 Jan 08
[quote]'Aljofree and Vincent'
Are you an idiot STFC4Life?? Aljofree and Vincent are 2 of the best players at the club[/quote]
I agree that Hasney and Jamie are very solid players, both good headers of the ball but they lack a little pace. Having said that, to consider them "junk players" as STFC4Life suggests is a very strange opinion indeed....
'Aljofree and Vincent'
Are you an idiot STFC4Life?? Aljofree and Vincent are 2 of the best players at the club
I agree that Hasney and Jamie are very solid players, both good headers of the ball but they lack a little pace. Having said that, to consider them "junk players" as STFC4Life suggests is a very strange opinion indeed....
Posted by: swindon4life, Swindon on 9:50am Wed 23 Jan 08
Just another disgraceful cup replay to forget and quick, mind though we are used to going out after failing to win at home, anyone remember the Notts County and Boston debacles!!
I wasn't there last night but listening to the radio it sounds as though it was a toothless inept performance with the usual culprits responsible namely Pook and Zaaboub ( although Zaaboub had a good game gainst Forest )who have been at best average this season.
Malpas should get rid of these players quick and get some better quality in, no disrespect to Barnet but last night should have been a formality but once again we are out to a lower league team.
1 more thing missing 4 pens is totally inexcusable, y they weren't practiced in training is a mystery, buts lets face it the players just bottled it and couldn't hack the pressure, oh well at least swindon won't get trashed on saturday by our nice neighbours from down the M4 now.
Just another disgraceful cup replay to forget and quick, mind though we are used to going out after failing to win at home, anyone remember the Notts County and Boston debacles!!
I wasn't there last night but listening to the radio it sounds as though it was a toothless inept performance with the usual culprits responsible namely Pook and Zaaboub ( although Zaaboub had a good game gainst Forest )who have been at best average this season.
Malpas should get rid of these players quick and get some better quality in, no disrespect to Barnet but last night should have been a formality but once again we are out to a lower league team.
1 more thing missing 4 pens is totally inexcusable, y they weren't practiced in training is a mystery, buts lets face it the players just bottled it and couldn't hack the pressure, oh well at least swindon won't get trashed on saturday by our nice neighbours from down the M4 now.
Posted by: Stickshaker, Paris on 10:26am Wed 23 Jan 08
Garbage, we are on an upward trend - we've moved forward 2 steps over the past fortnight, last night we took one step back. Saturday we'll move one step further again. Slow progress is what is required, not boom to bust.
Yes, last night was bad - get over it - move on!
Garbage, we are on an upward trend - we've moved forward 2 steps over the past fortnight, last night we took one step back. Saturday we'll move one step further again. Slow progress is what is required, not boom to bust.
Yes, last night was bad - get over it - move on!
Posted by: oz5000, London on 10:27am Wed 23 Jan 08
Aljofree looked solid but Vincent made some glaring fundamental errors that would've been punished by better teams.
Zaboub makes poor decisions time and time again and gives away far too much ball, but still looks one of our most dangerous players going forward. Roberts did well in bursts but his control was weak and his strengths lie in using his pace out wide, not weaving inside and cutting across the pitch - the ball moves quicker than you can run, Christian.
Paynter did well(!) to 'meg the keeper for his goal but other than that looked a big lump, and we basically played with two target men once Corr came on. Thought JP played OK, despite the moron behind me shouting at him all night, and Sturrock looked livelier than Paynter from where I stood, and it's a shame he didn't stay on for a run with Corr.
However, midfield is my main concern. Peacock played so deep and we were completely flat across the middle meaning Barnet were first to so much ball. I know he tries hard, but Pook is simply awful - Barnet were down to 10 men after 75 minutes but we may as well have been playing with 10 from the kick off.
Aljofree looked solid but Vincent made some glaring fundamental errors that would've been punished by better teams.
Zaboub makes poor decisions time and time again and gives away far too much ball, but still looks one of our most dangerous players going forward. Roberts did well in bursts but his control was weak and his strengths lie in using his pace out wide, not weaving inside and cutting across the pitch - the ball moves quicker than you can run, Christian.
Paynter did well(!) to 'meg the keeper for his goal but other than that looked a big lump, and we basically played with two target men once Corr came on. Thought JP played OK, despite the moron behind me shouting at him all night, and Sturrock looked livelier than Paynter from where I stood, and it's a shame he didn't stay on for a run with Corr.
However, midfield is my main concern. Peacock played so deep and we were completely flat across the middle meaning Barnet were first to so much ball. I know he tries hard, but Pook is simply awful - Barnet were down to 10 men after 75 minutes but we may as well have been playing with 10 from the kick off.
Posted by: TonyJanson, Chippenham on 12:08pm Wed 23 Jan 08
PJACE1: If Ifil is not back to his usual form Fleetwood may well score on Saturday. I would much rather see Swindon sign Coxy than a non-league striker AT THIS POINT. Too many non-leaguers fail to cut the mustard in Div.2 soccer. Charlie Griffin and James Constable, two Wiltshire lads, are recent examples.
PJACE1: If Ifil is not back to his usual form Fleetwood may well score on Saturday. I would much rather see Swindon sign Coxy than a non-league striker AT THIS POINT. Too many non-leaguers fail to cut the mustard in Div.2 soccer. Charlie Griffin and James Constable, two Wiltshire lads, are recent examples.
hey crewe have got him for just 175 k
surly we could have got him and then pay forest green so much after 30 games or so
id also love to see coxy come to town along with the rest of us
hey crewe have got him for just 175 k
surly we could have got him and then pay forest green so much after 30 games or so
id also love to see coxy come to town along with the rest of us
just looked at fleewoods info
he did score a hatrick vs coventry,has played for wales under 21 side and has played for england non league side,id say worth a gamble,ive heard hes quick and a great finisher and likely to score from the penalty spot too!
just looked at fleewoods info
he did score a hatrick vs coventry,has played for wales under 21 side and has played for england non league side,id say worth a gamble,ive heard hes quick and a great finisher and likely to score from the penalty spot too!
Posted by: Alf-uckam, York on 4:59pm Wed 23 Jan 08
[quote][bold]STFC4Life[/bold] wrote:
Finally time to accept the fact that we have a lot of junk players at the club ? ! ? ! Pook, Roberts, Zaboub, Aljofree and Vincent. and thats just in the selected 16! lets hope we get some better players to keep our play-off dream alive![/quote] We are not that potent in attack as it is, without Zaboub there would have been little threat at all last night again. He is a good attacking player just prone to sulking a little.
STFC4Life wrote:
Finally time to accept the fact that we have a lot of junk players at the club ? ! ? ! Pook, Roberts, Zaboub, Aljofree and Vincent. and thats just in the selected 16! lets hope we get some better players to keep our play-off dream alive!
We are not that potent in attack as it is, without Zaboub there would have been little threat at all last night again. He is a good attacking player just prone to sulking a little.
Posted by: Alf-uckam, York on 5:04pm Wed 23 Jan 08
[quote][bold]bwlc[/bold] wrote:
This sort of performance would be easy to 'get over' if it was a one off, but it happens so often in a pressure situation.[/quote] Lets hope the new faces will add something to the mix, it is hard to bring real talent to this division unless you bring it on yourself and DONT SELL IT ON. It is always easy to be critical of players but publically that does not help their confidence or morale.
bwlc wrote:
This sort of performance would be easy to 'get over' if it was a one off, but it happens so often in a pressure situation.
Lets hope the new faces will add something to the mix, it is hard to bring real talent to this division unless you bring it on yourself and DONT SELL IT ON. It is always easy to be critical of players but publically that does not help their confidence or morale.
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