MATTHEW BARNES-HOMER has been waiting to give both barrels for a while.
The Macclesfield striker, dubbed ‘The Hitman with the double-barrelled name' by the Macc tannoy announcer, sure did that against Championship side Cardiff City last weekend.
In a frantic last five minutes he turned in an equaliser before keeping his cool to blast a pressure penalty and write his name into FA Cup folklore.
The 2-1 win over the Premier League-bound Bluebirds put Blue Square Bet Premier club Macc into the FA Cup fourth
round for the first time in their 139-year history.
“It's been crazy – our story has been everywhere,” says Barnes-Homer. “It's nice because it's something you normally see when Ronaldo, Rooney or Van Persie do something magical.
“All I could think before the penalty was, ‘I have to score this'. If I didn't it would have meant a replay at their place where it would have been even tougher.
“That's why I went with more power than anything. It was a great feeling when it went in because all the lads had worked so hard. They'd really grafted.”
When the man of the hour had finished his post-match interviews he walked into the players' bar to a huge reception and a rousing reception of “Woooa Matthew Barnes-Homer!”
It could symbolise the true return of the former Kidderminster and Luton man, who took his tally to 20 with his two most important goals of his season, after a 2011-12 to forget.
Back in March, before he jetted out for a spell with Swedish club Ostersunds FK, Barnes-Homer described it as his hardest season ever.
What started out as a year of high hopes soon turned into a nightmare. A fall-out with Luton boss Gary Brabin saw the 26-year-old switch to League One Rochdale on loan.
In January, just six appearances later, he returned to Kenilworth Road where his contract was cancelled but FIFA
rules meant he couldn't sign for a third club in a league that has the transfer window.
Frustrating
That meant a brief spell with then-Blue Square Bet North highflyers Nuneaton before leaving for Sweden to make the most of their summer season and get some football under his belt.
“It helped going out to Sweden, being away from it all with time to think and get myself back on track,” Barnes-Homer says. “It really helped me focus and find the love. I didn't ever lose love for the game but it helped me find that hunger and bring the fight out in me.
“I'm not a bad character like some tried to make out. I wanted to go back to Luton to help them get promoted. I was forced out. I wasn't a bad person. I enjoy playing football and I enjoy scoring goals.
“It was a frustrating year so it was good to come back to the Conference this season to start afresh with a new challenge at Macclesfield, settle down and show what some people think about me is wrong.”
Macc boss Steve King said last week that people scoffed when he signed Barnes-Homer in the summer, saying he would score goals.
Barnes-Homer says that stick doesn't affect him; rather it's what people say about his character. He says: “You hear certain people say, ‘Oh, he's too strong-minded, he speaks his mind' – but what's up with speaking your mind? It's just a passion for the game; it's the love that you have.
“Yeah sometimes you are going to offend somebody. But everybody is an adult; everybody is big enough to take it. If
you're not playing well you have to take it on the chin.
“I wanted to prove a point. I've added more stuff to my game and it just shows that I've got 20 goals by the start of January so what people say is not true. I've had no problems here.
“And it's not like the manager here is quiet. He's not. He speaks his mind as well.
“If you are allowed to play your game and express yourself then it brings out the best in you. That's what's happening this season so I'm enjoying it.
“You have downs so it's nice to have some ups. It's been a long time but I don't get too over-excited or too complacent about it.”
Barnes-Homer believes his current form is up there with his best – but there won't be any easing up.
“It's close because when I was at Kiddy I was playing well,” he says. “But goals wise it's probably the best I've played.
Achievement
“The main thing when you're playing football is you have to be happy. You play your best football when you're not stressed.
“It's just a fact I'm enjoying playing with a great bunch of players. Everyone is close, we're like a family. We win for each other and fight for each other.”
Macclesfield's reward will be a visit to Moss Rose from Premier League Wigan or League One Bournemouth, who replay on the south coast on Tuesday.
“It's a great achievement for everyone – it's history for Macclesfield, the gaffer deserves a lot of credit, and there is a chance to make more by getting into the fifth round,” says Barnes-Homer, who also highlights the importance of kicking on towards the play-offs in the league.
“Anything can happen – you can get a penalty, someone can get sent off.
“Whoever we get in the next round it will be a tough game. But it's at our place and nobody wants to come to us. There are some experienced players here. We are a footballing team and we work hard. We can beat anybody. We don't fear anybody.”
Maybe not. But there'll be plenty worried about facing Macclesfield's in-form double0barrelled hitman.
