Kettering 1988
In April 1988, the Imps were hunting the GMVC title but suffered a huge setback. As Barnet struggled to keep winning, we failed to get our noses in front, and a 2-1 defeat against Bath City, relegated weeks later, meant our trip to Kettering looked very tasty indeed. The Poppies, managed by Alan Buckley, sat third in the table, three points behind us. We were in the grip of an injury crisis – Nigel Batch, Steve Buckley, Bob Cumming, David Mossman and Mick Waitt all missed out. Trevor Matthewson and Richard Wilson picked up injuries during the game, and both Chris Scott and Shane Nicholson were described as not looking ‘match fit’.
1,000 fans made the trip to Rockingham Road, but the injuries took their toll. Within minutes, a big free kick came off the head of John McGinley and flew into the net, giving the home side the lead. City had chances but couldn’t find a rhythm, and on 53 minutes, Paul Richardson scored again for the hosts, meaning a 2-0 defeat.
This game does prove one thing—even in a winner-takes-all game, the winner can get nothing. Kettering felt they had momentum and just needed to get over the line, but they lost their next three matches, twice against Runcorn and once against Enfield. Barnet, on 77 points, won one and lost the other, meaning our seven points from Maidstone (1-1), Stafford (2-1), and, of course, Wycombe (2-1) saw us promoted as champions.