The Bees led twice in the match, courtesy of goals from Ephron Mason-Clark and JJ Hooper in either half, but were pegged by the Fleet in an entertaining game.
Conditions were certainly testing in the scorching September heat, but Beadle was upbeat with his side’s improved showing following defeat to Hitchin Town in the previous friendly.
He said: “It was far better than Saturday, whether it’s because the attitude and application has changed, but we are far happier than we were on Saturday. It was a really competitive game, played in really hot temperatures and the commitment the players put in was spot on.
“All of the ones, Ephron (Mason-Clark), Harry Taylor, JJ (Hooper) back in today and as we said Saturday, it’s a process. We need to go through our pre-season and try to be very analytical about it, we’re trying to catch up a little bit, we’re a week or 10 days behind some of the other teams.
“I think Ebbsfleet have played four or five friendlies already, that’s only our second one, of which we had an 11 in the first half then eight changes at half time. We’re still a work in progress, but I am really pleased with the way they have applied themselves today, some of the play was great, the goals were good. It was really positive.”
New striker JJ Hooper didn’t take long to get on the scoresheet in his first outing in a Barnet shirt, his link-up play with strike-partner Josh Walker caused problems all afternoon. The pair combined for the Bees second goal of the afternoon and that partnership could become fruitful once the competitive season kicks off.
The boss was quick to hail his new frontman’s work but also was keen to highlight his pleasure in many aspects of his side’s performance against the Fleet.
“They’re both goalscorers, they are going to be in the right area’s at the right times and JJ was there today to slot in from Josh’s work.
“Mostly positives from today, certainly not as many negatives as Saturday, for me it was really about the change of attitude for the way they applied themselves for the game. So it’s all great and it’s a big forward step for us from Saturday.”
Beadle has so far recruited four new players as he rebuilds the squad for the 2020/21 season, each performed well in yesterday’s outing against the National League South side and appear to have settled in well.
The question on many a Bees fans lips will be when there is likely to be more new faces in the door, Beadle was quick to assure fans that plenty of work is going on behind the scenes to continue the recruitment process.
“We’re in a work in progress, I’d love to come out and say “we’ve got this and we’ve got this”, but it’s hard work to bring in the right type of player. So obviously, we’ve got lots of fingers in lots of pies at the moment, but we are just waiting for one or two of those to drop.
“By the beginning of next week, we might have one or two new additions.”
With two pre-season games now complete and four weeks of pre-season training, the Bees preparations for the new National League season continue to intensify.
Beadle finished by highlighting how pleased he was with how things were shaping up ahead of the big kick-off on October 3rd when his side will host Eastleigh on the opening day of the new season.
“We’re certainly fitter than we were two weeks ago, the sharpness is starting to come back in the games, you’ve seen that in the game today. For the short space of time, we have had, they have made huge steps of progress with their fitness and their attitude towards the training.
“Hopefully, that will continue so that by the time we get to Eastleigh, we will be ready. That’s always our aim and that’s the way you work through your process to get to that first competitive game and be ready. Like I say, if we can add a few more in the next week or two, ten days or so, we’ll be nearly ready.”
