The Barnet FC Youth Team put in one of their best performances of the season so far to stretch their lead at the top of the table on Saturday, recording an impressive 5-0 win away to highly-rated Luton Town.

The Bees started the game brightly, looking assured defensively and dominating possession, with both Matt Stevens and Shane Cojocarel going close in early stages.

They took a deserved lead on 25 minutes with Jack Taylor slotting home from 12 yards following a free flowing move down the left-hand side involving both Nana Kyei and Keir Dickson

Barnet doubled their lead soon afterwards, with centre-back Joe Gater heading in from a corner, as the Bees really got into their stride.

The third came after the Taylor brothers, Harry and Jack, exchanged passes down the right-hand side before feeding Mathew Stevens 20 yards out. With his back to goal, the prolific striker shifted the ball onto his right foot before dispatching a low shot on the run into the bottom corner.

Minutes after the restart, a high press from Barnet saw Stevens dispossess the Luton centre-back before racing through and scoring his second and Barnet’s fourth in a ruthless first half performance. 

The second half was more of an even contest with Luton beginning to come into the game, as goalkeeper Kai McKenzie-Lyle was forced into making two excellent saves during the early stages.

However, the Bees were able to maintain their free-flowing football and their sustained pressure saw Stevens, Cojoceral and Kyei all miss gilt-edged chances.

They did manage to add to their tally before the end of the game, with an excellent break through central midfield seeing Shana Cojoceral slipped through to finish past the keeper and make it 5-0.

An excellent day all-round was made even better by the news that Peterborough had lost, meaning that Barnet are now top by right with a lead of four points, although the Posh do have a game in hand.

Next up for the Bees is a return fixture against AFC Wimbledon – who they beat 3-2 at The Hive a fortnight ago – on Thursday morning.