Goal at Southend United sees Barnet's Ricky Holmes achieve his league aim (From Echo)

Goal at Southend United sees Barnet's Ricky Holmes achieve his league aim

4:00pm Monday 8th October 2012 in Blues By Chris Phillips

BARNET’S Ricky Holmes achieved a life-long ambition by scoring a league goal at Roots Hall on Saturday, but the winger was still left disappointed at the end of the game.

The 24-year-old, who grew up supporting Blues, helped put the Bees 2-0 up against Southend United with a goal and an assist.

But his efforts were not enough to earn Barnet their first win of the season, as the home side fought back to earn a point.

“We played well and I loved getting a goal but I’m disappointed because we haven’t won the game,” said Westcliff-based Holmes.

“We gave ourselves a great chance of getting three points by going 2-0 up but coming away from here without a win is hard to take, especially as we’re having to wait a long time to get that first victory.”

But Holmes could not have done much more to help Barnet end their poor run of results as he fired them in front with a fantastic long-range shot at the start of the second half.

And he was delighted to see the ball hit the back of the net.

“I was buzzing to score because although I’ve supported Southend all my life and they’re my home-town club, I felt like I had a point to prove against them,” said Holmes, a former Prittlewell School and Seevic College student. “I was with them when I was younger but they released me when I was 16 and that hurt.

“That’s why I wanted to do well and I’m pleased to have scored because it’s something I’ve always wanted to do at Roots Hall.

“I did it when I was a kid playing for Fairfax in the junior cup finals but doing it in the Football League is obviously much better.”

But, despite having been pleased to score, Holmes still hopes Southend can go on to have a good season.

“I want them to go up this year,” said Holmes. “Their result is still the first one I look for every week and I want them to do well.

“Maybe one day they might come knocking on my door but at the moment I’m just focusing on doing well for Barnet.”