The Barnet FC Youth Team picked up where they left off following their Christmas break on Saturday with a 1-0 win away to Leyton Orient.

With title rivals Milton Keynes Dons also winning at the weekend the result means that the Bees stay three points clear at the top of the league with a game in hand.

Despite wet and windy weather making playing conditions difficult Barnet controlled the first half and had three good chances to take the lead during a dominant display.

Fumnaya Shomotun tested the goalkeeper early on with a shot from outside the area following good build-up play from full-back Keir Dickson who had advanced inside.

Jack and Harry Taylor then linked up well down the right-hand side before Jack exchanged passes with Shane Cojocarel and unleashed a ferocious shot at goal which the keeper did well to save.

Barnet were unfortunate not to win a penalty before the break after Nana Kyei did superbly well to control a ball out of the air, execute a turn and then nutmeg the defender before being brought down by the full-back, but despite loud appeals for a spot-kick the referee was unmoved.

The Bees continued in the same vein throughout the second half and finally broke the deadlock on 70 minutes.

Cojocarel was again involved, charging down the goalkeeper as he attempted to clear a loose ball before squaring the ball for first year scholar George Booker to fire across goal and into the far corner to give his side the lead.

Barnet continued to push for a second and Nana Kyei nearly wrapped the game up with a sensational solo effort when he collected the ball on the halfway line before beating four players en route to goal. However, having rounded the goalkeeper he saw his shot from an acute angle cleared off the line by the

recovering defender.

There was still time for Harry Taylor, recently moved into the more advanced position of midfield, to test the goalkeeper with a rasping drive from 35 yards having collected a knock down from his younger brother, but a fingertip save meant that the Bees were forced to settle for a 1-0 win.

Barnet play their game in hand tomorrow morning at home to Southend in a game that kicks off at 11:00 as they look to stretch their lead to six points with two games remaining.