Rhys Browne’s late equaliser saw Barnet’s unbeaten pre-season continue at the Melbourne Community Stadium against Chelmsford City.
The first-half was a half of few chances. The first coming after 15 minutes when Rhys Browne saw his close range strike saved by the Chelmsford goalkeeper.
The Bees came close again when a cross into the box found Francis who struck the ball well at goal but he would be denied by a quick reflex save from the keeper who managed to get a hand on the ball.
The home side then came close to opening the score after a mistake at the back allowed the Chelmsford striker through on goal. He would be denied a goal by an excellent stop from Hayes. The keeper was called into action again minutes later, an effort from outside the Barnet box needed a low-diving save to keep the score level.
The last chance of the half came from the home side again, a curling strike from outside the box went narrowly past the far post as both teams went into the break level.
HT: Chelmsford City 0-0 Barnet FC
Barnet had the first chance of the second-half when Callum Stead skipped past his man on the left wing before playing the play to the edge of the box. His pass found Finley Wilkinson who went for goal but his strike went wide of the target.
The home side broke the deadlock after 63 minutes when a cross found Kane Crichlow at the back post who headed Chelmsford into the lead.
Barnet came close to an instant equaliser when Ben Coker’s free-kick found Grimwood at the back post, his header would go narrowly wide of the goal.
The Bees found the back of the net when Reece Hall-Johnson’s pass across the face of goal found Francis, who struck the ball into the back of the net before the linesman’s flag went up for offside.
The equaliser did come when Rhys Browne excellently curled the ball into the top corner of the Chelmsford goal to level the score.
The Bees almost found the winner from inside their own half. A strike from the halfway line caught the keeper out and bounced just wide of goal.
The game finished level as Barnet’s unbeaten pre-season continues.
FT: Chelmsford City 1-1 Barnet FC
Barnet FC Starting XI: Hayes, Grimwood, Oluwo, Rye, Tavares, Hall-Johnson, Coker, Francis, Stead, Browne, Wilkinson
Goal: Browne 77′
Attendance: 288