Barnet manager Martin Allen believes that his side were worthy winners, following the Bees 2-0 victory over League One side Gillingham at The Hive.

Discussing the match, Martin said:

“It was very hot and obviously we were playing against a team in the division above.

“I think it was a thoroughly deserved victory and that we looked very fit. 

“We were tenacious and had some good spells of possession.

“We rushed it a little bit when in possession during the first half, but still had chances. 

“In the second half I think that we looked very strong and thoroughly deserved to win. 

“In the last fifteen or twenty minutes we defended our goal and restricted them to no chances. 

“I’ve said from the beginning of pre-season that the important thing is to win all the games. 

“We didn’t really have that attitude last summer, so this year I thought that it had to change.

“It has changed and the players are fully focused when playing and training – they’re doing well.”

“We’ve seen another two young players playing in our team today.

“Kai McKenzie-Lyle played in goal and Harry Taylor was at right back – Harry is only 19 and Kai is 18. 

“Kai made a brilliant save in the first half. 

“We’ve also got players like Nana Kyei who was originally set to play today. 

“Nana’s a good player, as we saw at Crawley at the end of last season.

“He was outstanding and our best player that day and we’ve got more good young players too.

“Anyone who came to Staines last week will have seen two brilliant goals from Ryan Watson.

“Today Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro came on and did a great job for us down the left hand side. 

“Alex Nicholls played up front and then out on the right. 

“So the players that we’ve brought in are good players too, which is all credit to the Chairman who has strengthened and added new players to the squad. 

“I felt that we were ready for the start of the season three weeks ago.

“As soon as I saw the players when they came back for pre-season – they were absolutely flying and had all obviously trained throughout the summer. 

“We’ve played every game at full tempo so far and there has been no let up. 

“We spoke about the hot weather and I wanted to use that to our advantage.

“I wanted it to be full-on right the way through the game and to attack Gillingham from the first to the last minute. 

“We’ve certainly seen how fit all of our players are now. 

“Those who didn’t play against Gillingham will play on Tuesday night against Eastleigh. 

“I think that everyone who has trained so hard behind the scenes deserve a chance to play. 

“All the players who played today but aren’t playing at Eastleigh will also travel. 

“We’ll have a whole bus load of players all going in the same direction!

“I’m expecting a full-on committed performance and another win away from home.”