After the result against Lincoln the previous weekend it was important to bounce back over the Bank Holiday with games away at Nuneaton and at home to Dartford.
Barnet produced a professional performance at Nuneaton to win 2-0. Charlie MacDonald scored his third and fourth goals of the season to make it two successive away wins, although this time the result was not quite as emphatic as that remarkable five-goal opening day victory against Chester. A close range finish from a corner and a penalty from the skipper made the difference, although in truth Barnet had chances to add to their lead.
Fast forward to a predictably rainy Bank Holiday Monday and this time it was big John Akinde applying the finish from a corner to make it 1-0 just before half time. Lee Cook came on in the second half for debutant Adam Mekki and went one better than his opening day brace at Chester by scoring a hat-trick to blow Dartford away.
Akinde was again involved as he set up Cook’s first. Two goals in as many home games for Barnet’s number 9 but let’s not forget Akinde’s numerous assists that also contribute fantastically to this team. A near identical finish into the bottom right hand corner followed for Cook’s second and Barnet’s third.
A surging run from Luke Gambin then drew the foul from an overrun Dartford defence to give John Akinde the chance to grab his second goal of the game with Charlie MacDonald, the regular penalty taker, having been substituted. A really nice touch from Akinde though to show (as if all his assists weren’t enough!) that he is a real team player by allowing Cook to take the penalty to give him the chance of his first ever hat-trick. Cook’s left foot did the rest and he coolly dispatched the penalty to make it four. I thought it really summed up the togetherness of the team to allow Lee to take the penalty. A great moment and Barnet rightfully received great applause from the fans at the final whistle.
Attention now moves to tomorrow’s game against Southport where the Bees will look to maintain their excellent away form this season. With so many players playing well it will be hard for the manager to pick his best eleven. Luisma excelled in midfield and Jack Saville looked assured in defence on their first starts of the season on Monday. Gambin came off the bench for the second successive home game and played marvellously well. Johnson and Vilhete weren’t involved on Monday after excellent performances so far this season. Mekki gives the Bees another option on the wings. Cook came off the bench to score a hat-trick!
What a great problem for Martin Allen to have and it looks like a really strong Barnet squad and team that will be travelling up to Southport on Saturday. Come on you Bees!
