MATCH REPORT | BARNET FC 2-2 CHELTENHAM TOWN

Barnet would battle for a share of a spoils in this entertaining lunchtime clash with Cheltenham Town on Saturday afternoon.

Strikes from Charlie Lakin and Kabongo Tshimanaga would be enough to ensure the Bees continue on their undefeated start to the 2026/27 Sky Bet League Two campaign.

Despite the wet conditions at the Hive the weather wasn’t enough to dampen Barnet’s spirits who were certainly full of confidence following their impressive start to this years season.

And with just three minutes on the clock it would be the Bees who produced the first effort on goal, Matthew Cox’s long free-kick knocked down by Adam Senior before Oisin Gallagher fired wide.

With Dean Brennan’s side who continuing to threaten, Lakin’s corner troubling Wyll Stanway in the visiting goal, with the ball ultimately bouncing past the post.

Cheltenham’s first effort on goal would arrive on nine minutes, Jake Evans finding space before firing straight at Cox in the Barnet net.

However, a fine Barnet move on ten minutes would give the Bees the lead.

Some smart passing involving Nnamdi Oboforh and Lakin allowed the Bees midfielder to find space on the edge of the box, before firing home for his third goal in three games.

After going ahead it was Barnet who continued to threaten, with captain Danny Collinge going close on 22 minutes.

A fine looping free-kick from Jake Reeves finding the centre half, with his looping header cleared off the line by experienced front man, Andreas Weimann.

More chances would fall Dean Brennan’s way, Adam Senior troubling the Cheltenham back line, before the increasingly influential Lakin saw his volleyed effort blocked.

The 31^st minute would see action at both ends, Lakin would go down in the box with seemingly a shout for a penalty, before Ryan Broom broke on the counter attack – with his curling effort going wide.

As we approached the half time stage, the chances kept coming for both sides. Evans forcing Cox into action for the visitors, before a well worked free-kick routine from the Bees should’ve produced Barnets second of the afternoon.

Lakin starting the move, finding Reeves out wide, with his cross somehow fizzing past everyone including forward Tshimanga who looked likely to meet it, but couldn’t get anything on it.

And as the half time whist blew Brennan’s side led by one.

Half-Time: Barnet 1-0 Cheltenham Town

The first meaningful effort of the second half would come on 50 minutes, Lakin’s corner troubling Stanway with the resulting ball falling to Reeves whose curling effort rattled the bar.

The chances would keep on coming Barnets way, Lakin again at the heart of everything positive, with his looping effort dipping over the bar.

However, Cheltenham would draw level on the hour, Broom capitalising on a Barnet defence error with his strike kissing the post before trickling over the line.

And it would be the Robins who took the lead on 64 minutes, Charlie McCann this time pouncing from a poor defensive pass before slotting home.

Dean Brennan would quickly look to his bench with Jack Maskell, Tom Knowles and Zac Williams entering the field, looking to re-energise the Bees.

Lakin would go close on 74 minutes, before Senior fired high and wide.

However, the Barnet equaliser would arrive on 78 minutes from the spot.

A late tackle on Oisin Gallagher from Broom drew the spot-kick, which Tshimanga calmly converted for his second league goal of the campaign- setting up a dramatic final ten minutes at the Hive.

Both sides would push for the elusive winning goal, Collinge’s brave header threatening, before Knowles troubled down the left.

Isiah Noel-Williams would come on for the final few minutes, making his debut for the Bees following his summer switch from Hemel.

Barnet would push for the winning goal, but would ultimately have to settle for a share of the spoils and hold on to their undefeated start to the new season.

Dean Brennan’s side are back in action on Tuesday as they face a trip to the southwest facing Exeter City at St James Park, KO 7:45pm.

Full-Time: Barnet 2-2 Cheltenham Town

Starting XI: Cox, Senior, Collinge, Tavares, Kenlock (Williams 65’), Reeves (Comley 75’), Oboforh (Maskell 65’), Lakin (Noel-Williams 87’), Gallagher, Kanu (Knowles 65’), Tshimanga.

Subs not used: Ashby-Hammond, Wright

Goals: Lakin 11’, Broom 60’, McCann 64’, Tshimanga 78’,