BEES VICTORIOUS IN LIONS’ DEN

Team- Cowler, Kamdjo, Johnson, Abdulla, Stephens, Antwi, Edgar, Warren, Sykes, Lowe, Gambin

Subs- Allen, McCluskey, Hackett

The under-21 development squad faced a tricky trip for the first game of the season away at Millwall and gave a very good account of themselves. Barnet started with a 4-3-3 formation with Warren, Abdulla and Gambin in midfield with Sykes, Lowe and Edgar up front. They started the game very well, moving the ball about and controlling the tempo making it very difficult for Millwall to get hold of the ball. The rotation and movement in central midfield was excellent.

We were unlucky to go one nil down when the home side took the lead from a free kick on the edge of the box. Barnet equalised with a goal from George Sykes after some excellent work by Elliot Johnson. After an overlapping run and a cross into the box that was headed back across by Lowe, Millwall struggled to clear the ball, Gambin had his shot well saved by the keeper but George was on hand to put the ball into the net.

During half time it was made clear to the players that the same again was required in the second half as Millwall would surely come out fighting. We talked about using the pace in behind of Edgar and Lowe, and getting our midfielders to continue their rotation.

The second half started as we thought with them coming at us strongly, but the lads worked very hard defensively and pulled together as a team. On 70 minutes Barnet took the lead after some excellent work down the right from Jamal Lowe with Sykes again finishing very well in the bottom corner, giving the goal keeper no chance.  Again the home team came at us but the lads stood firm and passed the ball very well. On 80 minutes Iffy Allen produced some good work down the left, drove inside and was fouled on the edge of the penalty box. After some encouragement from the bench Jamal Lowe stepped up and curled a great free kick into the top corner.

This was a fantastic performance by the players who worked extremely hard all game in both attacking and defensive situations. Credit must go to them for way they played and the attitude they showed throughout the whole game. For some of the players this was their first full 90 minutes against a strong Millwall side. In the squad were 5 scholars who put in impressive performances.