Johnstone’s Paint Trophy (JPT) FINALISTS 2011
Over the years since a young child I have spent a small fortune watching them. I have seen the good times (yes, there were actually a few good times) and numerous bad times.
The 2010-11 season was a good one for the Bees, finishing a commendable 11th in League One and reaching the final of the JPT.
The first game of the 2011-12 season under the new management of Uwe Rosler was home to Yeovil on Saturday August 6th with a 2-0 win. Unfortunately this winning start did not last long as they were dumped out of the Carling Cup in the 1st Round 1-0 away to Hereford with their winner coming in the 92nd minute (how many times did we concede injury time goals last season), and then lose 2-0 away to Sheffield United in the league. The next two matches resulted in a 2-1 away win at Exeter then a resounding 5-0 victory at home to Leyton Orient. Back to earth with a 2-0 home defeat by Tranmere.
After being beaten in the 2011 JPT final they narrowly get through to the next round of the 2012 competition, by beating MK Dons 4-3 on penalties (3-3 at full time) at their place.
Back to the league and an impressive performance sees them win 1-0 away to Walsall (although they nearly let in an equaliser in added-on time). Then another 1-0 away win at Wycombe puts them 4th in the league. Then just as they about to go top of the league they let in yet another added-on time goal at home against 10-man Colchester and draw 1-1. After a bright(ish) start to the season the Bees settle into their usual mediocrity by losing 3-1 at home to Preston. Another away win 2-0 at Oldham gets them back on track. Their home form continues to be poor and they get hammered 4-0 by Huddersfield.
They have a break from the league and their excellent away form continues with an impressive 3-0 away win over Charlton in the JPL Trophy. Will they get to the final again this year? Back to the league and a late equaliser sees them draw 2-2 away to Carlisle. Then another draw 0-0 at home to Scunthorpe, even though the visitors were down to 10 men in the second half. Guess what? They draw again, this time 1-1 away to Notts County. Then yet another home defeat, 1-0 to Stevenage. Eventually they manage to beat somebody, Chesterfield 2-1 at home. Then a creditable 0-0 draw away to 3rd place Sheffield Wednesday.
A break from the league sees them continue their excellent JPL Trophy form by hammering Bournemouth 6-0 at home with Mike Grella scoring four. Then a few days later they can only beat non-league Basingstoke 1-0 at home in the 1st Round of the FA Cup. Back to the league and they narrowly lose 1-0 at home to table toppers Charlton. Another away win 2-1 at Rochdale.
FA Cup Round 2 and a home fixture against Blue Square Bet Premier leaders Wrexham. What should have been a relatively easy fixture sees Wrexham pull off a shock 1-0 victory. Then a few days later they go out of the JPL Trophy losing on penalties away to League Two side Barnet after a goalless 90 minutes. I suppose now they can concentrate on the league (lol)?
Back to the league and a 2-1 home win against Hartlepool sees them move up into the fourth play-off place. They were on their way to another away win at Bury but end up letting in an equaliser with five minutes to go (even though Bury were down to 10 men) and the game finished 1-1. The boys miss out on getting into the play-off positions by only drawing 1-1 at home to Bournemouth on Boxing Day, thanks to a 94th minute equaliser. On New Year’s Eve they stage an amazing comeback to draw 3-3 at home to MK Dons after being 3-0 down at half time. This time they equalise in the 92nd minute.
They start 2012 with an away defeat 2-0 against table toppers Charlton. Then a draw 2-2 at Tranmere, and another 0-0 at home to Walsall. Another defeat 3-2 away to high flying Huddersfield (and we were 2-0 up). At last, a decent win 5-2 at home against bottom of the table Wycombe.
If you wish to know more about the players then click here (but I can't imagine why you would want to).
For more honest opinions click here and here.