HOW IT HAPPENED

The opening 25 minutes saw a few half chances for both sides in an entertaning game in South London. The hosts had a goalbound strike cleared by the Bees, whilst up the other end Simeon Akinola headed straight at Elliot Justham after good work by Mauro Vilhete. 

The first big chance came on the 26th minute as James Dobson lifted the ball over Scott Loach but saw his effort bounce back off the bar and back into Loach’s clutches. Just three minutes later the crossbar came to the Bees rescue again, as Balanta’s stunning effort on the half volley bounced off the frame of the goal. 

Loach was called into action 12 minutes before the break as Bagasan Graham broke clear on goal but the Bees number one spread himself well to block with his legs. 

Eight minutes to go before the break Walker flicked on to put Mason-Clark through on goal but his effort went wide of the near post, where he possibly should have tested the Daggers ‘keeper. 

The Bees were punished just before the break as Angelo Balanta fired a fizzing effort into the back of the net, it was no more than the hosts deserved after they piled on the pressure in the second part of the first-half.

However, Darren Currie’s side responded immediately as Walker fired into the bottom corner to make it two goals in as many games. The goal arguably came against the run of play but was testament to the Bees never say die attitude. 

The opening stages of the second half were rather tame in comparison to the first, Currie introduced Wes Fonguck in place of Mason-Clark in the hope of some more creativity in the midfield.

The first opening fell to Joe Quigley but he fired well over from the edge of the area. Up the other end, J Taylor ghosted away at the back post but couldn’t convert from Reynold’s cross-field pass.

The game really didn’t live up to a top end of the table clash in the second half, neither ‘keeper being tested throughout a cagey affair at Victoria Road. 

With four minutes to play, Reece Grant burst through on goal but great backtracking by Santos made the attacker rush his shot and it went well wide of Loach’s goal. 

Barnet: Loach, Alexander, Reynolds, Santos, J Taylor, Akinola (Pavey ’66), H Taylor, Vilhete, Walker (Tutonda ’81), Sweeney, Mason-Clark (Fonguck ’60)

Unused subs: Matrevics, Elito.

 

WHAT IT MEANS 

TEAM NEWS

Darren Currie named an unchanged side from the victory at AFC Fylde, with the only change coming on the bench as Medy Elito returned from injury at the expense of Charlie Rowan. 

UP NEXT 

The Bees return to action on Tuesday night as they host Bromley at The Hive London in another massive game in the MANarama National League.