Dons blog: Eric Idle had it right

There’s no doubting Idle’s genius and ability to try and put a positive outcome on a dire situation, but just before five o’clock last Saturday the WDON commentary team collectively felt more like the inspiration for another of his memorable songs - the very grumpy Victor Meldrew from One Foot in the Grave.

We weren’t alone.

That same shared feeling was virulent among a 1200 plus strong away support, that started trickling away back down the other end of the Northern Line derby as early as when the second of four goals went in at Underhill, without reply.

It wasn’t so much by then the obvious links in the Barnet set-up to Franchise FC, the constant onslaught of heavy rain throughout the match in supposed drought hit Britain or even a rejuvenated performance from an old nemesis from Ryman Premier days in former Chelmsford front man Ricky Holmes.

No, what really hurt was a performance that just fell away at the end of the season after such an improved performance the week before against promotion chasing Torquay.

Only young winger Brendan Kiernan, who didn’t even finish the game, could emerge with some sort of credit on his full league debut.

Clearly the need was more Barnet’s in the build-up. It was gun to the head time as the Bees faced the possibility of their last ever Football League game at their sloping, ageing home. Under pressure - they produced.

Dons still had no excuse to put in a disappointing performance though, despite being safe.

Terry Brown is already looking at a bigger points haul than 51 next season and from what he saw, some of his players looked like joining Barnet at the “last chance saloon”, but for different reasons.

Of course, it’s painful to see the end of a squad that momentously achieved league status, but that comes with progression - players will be moved on.

What was really needed in midfield was a Sam. Sammy Moore was absent though, so instead the stage was left for a determined Sam Deering of Barnet, who helped greatly in securing three vital points. He was up for the fight and scored the second goal sandwiched between efforts from Holmes and Ben May with Mark Hughes notching a fourth.

This Saturday’s broadcast against promoted Shrewsbury, including the announcement and crowning of Radio WDON player of the year, should be an end of season party atmosphere with a better team ethic required at TCRRS, currently only with three stands and under redevelopment.

“Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” - well, possibly by then...

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