The Barnet FC Youth Team returned to winning ways in the league on Saturday with a thrilling win away to Stevenage.
Despite losing top scorer Mathew Stevens to first team duties as he featured as a substitute against Chelmsford in the FA Cup, the Youth Team still managed to rack up a hatful of goals in a 5-2 victory that keeps them in touch at the top.
Alfie Cain gave the Bees a dream start after just five minutes with a stunning thirty-yard strike that sailed into the top corner.
Shane Cojocarel then doubled Barnet’s lead on ten minutes with a neat finish in the box following an excellent passing move, before grabbing a second after just a quarter of an hour by taking advantage of a deflected pass to race through and score.
Stevenage did pull one back five minutes before the break from a set piece, before centre-back Charlie Kennedy received a harsh yellow card for a second bookable offence after an hour.
Things went from bad to worse on 65 minutes when the hosts reduced the deficit further from the penalty spot after goalkeeper Kai McKenzie-Lyle had brought down an attacker in trying to gather a free-kick into the box.
With the game seemingly slipping away Ross Eames and Henry Newman made some changes in midfield as well as some tactical alterations that saw Barnet switch to three at the back as they looked to get back on the front foot.
It certainly had the desired effect, as Barnet scored two goals in the final fifteen minutes to wrap the game up.
First, Fumnaya Shomotun scored the goal of the game when he picked the ball up on the left and cut inside before beating two players and slotting the ball home to make it 4-2.
Shomotun then set up the fifth with some brilliant individual play that allowed Cojocarel to complete his hat-trick and secure a vital three points for the team.
The Youth Team are now two points behind leaders Peterborough United at the top of the table, although Posh do have a game in hand.
Barnet’s next game is against AFC Wimbledon at home at The Hive on Saturday morning in a game that kicks off at 11:00.
