After a bright start from the hosts, they took the lead on nine minutes as Tyrone Barnett rose highest to a cross into the box to head home past the jumping Adam Parkes who had come to try to claim. 

The Bees responded well and almost levelled when Ephron Mason-Clark’s effort from range took a wicked defelction which sent the ball inches past the post. 

Simon Bassey’s men continued to look for an equaliser and had a succession of set-pieces midway through the half but they couldn’t quite unlock the Spitfires backline. 

Adam Parkes was soon called into action as Joe Tomlinson sent a powerful drive goalwards but the Watford loanee did well to parry an effort behind for a corner kick. 

With four minutes to go before the break the Bees had a couple of golden chances to level, as Tomi Adeloye pounced on a loose ball only for his curling shot to be headed from the line. The Bees then turned the ball back across goal for Alex McQueen who was smothered by some Spitfires defenders which halted him from slotting home from six yards out. 

All in all after the early setback, the Bees gradually grew into the game and it was the hosts who looked more relieved to hear the half time whistle at the Silverlake Stadium.

Bassey’s men almost had the perfect start to the second half, as Mason-Clark picked up a loose ball and stung the palms of Joe McDonnell who parried it as far as Harry Taylor who looked destined to score only for his shot be heroically blocked on the line.

The Bees continued to dominate proceedings and Adeloye had two chances in quick succession as the striker first saw a long-range effort saved, before finding space in the area before firing wide.

The pressure continued and the Bees must have been cursing their luck as Alex McQueen guided a looping header inches over the crossbar with the Spitfires ‘keeper stranded. Moments later Mason-Clark caused the hosts more problems as he skipped into the area, before his powerful cutback was almost turned in for an own goal.

Then despite all the pressure, it would be the hosts who would double their lead, as Adam Marriott was brought down by Parkes, before Tomlinson converted from the spot to score.

A third was added with eight minutes left on the clock, as substitute Sam Smart struck from the corner of the box and into the far corner beyond the dive of Parkes. 

Ultimately, Simon Bassey was left ruing not equalising at the start of the half where his side had dominated proceedings, he’ll hope the Bees can be more clinical when we visit Solihull Moors on Tuesday night. 

BARNET: Parkes, Vaughan, Nugent, Richards-Everton, Beard, Mason-Clark, Taylor, Skeffington, McQueen (Petrasso 74′), Kefalas, Adeloye. 

Not Used: Callan, McBurnie, Vasiliou.

POST MATCH REACTION: