MATCH REPORT: BARNET 0-3 SOUTHEND UNITED

The Bees were back in action on Tuesday night as they hosted play-off place rivals Southend United.

Both sides started the game well, with the ball frequently moving from end to end. The first attempt of the game, though, came through Rob Hall who turned and struck the ball at goal but it was deflected behind for a corner.  

Southend defended Barnet’s corner well and looked to start their own attack as Jack Bridge darted forward with the ball at his feet. His attempt at the end of his run ended up going out for a throw-in for the Bees.

In the 10^th minute, Barnet were looking to bring the ball forward but a tough challenge on Rob Hall saw the Bees down to 10 men momentarily as the referee, Alan Dale, played advantage. Kabamba failed to maximise the opportunity and the ball went out for a Southend goal kick. Alan Dale brought play back and brandished a yellow card to Cavangah Miley for his challenge.

A few minutes later Southend have the ball at the edge of the Barnet area and they fizzed a low ball into the box but the shot at the end was deflected for a corner. The Southend corner is well placed and lands at the edge of the penalty area before being stuck narrowly wide of the goal.

After a period of Southend domination sees the Shrimpers receive a corner. The corner is played short and the ball is struck very well towards Laurie Walker’s goal, forcing a smart save from the number 1.

Barnet received a free-kick on the right edge of the 18-yard box which was well placed by Rob Hall to bring the Southend number 1 out of his comfort zone and forced into punching the ball over his own bar.

In the 41^st minute, Southend broke the deadlock. The Bees failed to clear their lines from a corner kick and the ball was fizzed into the box before being turned into the back of the net by Kacper Lopata.

Barnet nearly level things up in the 44^th minute following a period of domination as a ball lifted into the box is headed onto the right-hand post. However, had the ball nestled into the back of the net it wouldn’t have counted as the 4^th official had his flag up for offside.

Half time: Barnet 0 – 1 Southend United

Barnet began the second half well, testing Southend’s backline by launching numerous counterattacks. However, the Bees were unable to capitalise on any of their opportunities.

Despite Barnet’s promising start, Southend doubled their lead in the 52^nd minute. A poorly defended throw-in found its way through to the goalmouth and, after a scramble from both sets of players, Callum Powell blasted it home from close range.

Barnet made their first substitutions of the evening in the 59^th minute. Marvin Armstrong replaced Sam Woods and Robert Hall made way for Sam Beard.

Southend then opted to shuffle their pack in the 69^th minute as Aaron Cosgrave came on for goal scorer Callum Powell. 8 mintues later they opted to shuffle things up even more, as Noor Husin came on for Wesley Fonguck.

Southend fancied attacking down the left wing and did so again in the 72^nd minute, before moving the ball centrally and striking just wide of the left-hand post.

In the 79^th minute, Southend were awarded a penalty as Jack Bridge was brought down in the penalty area. After a brief moment of consideration, Alan Dale pointed to the spot. Bridge stepped up to the ball and sent Laurie Walker the wrong way, before smashing home to the left-hand side of the net.

Southend saw out the rest of the game quite comfortably, limiting the Bees to attempting to play the ball long.

The result sees the Bees lose ground in the race for the playoff places, as they finish matchweek 17 in 10^th place on 24 points.

Barnet Line-Up

Laurie Walker, Danny Collinge, Jerome Okimo, Rob Hall, Nicke Kabamba, Idris Kanu, Harry Pritchard, Ben Wynter ©, Sam Woods, Sean Shields, Ryan De Havilland

Subs:

Aymen Azaze, Marvin Armstrong, Kian Flanagan, Connor Smith, Sam Bear

Southend Line-Up

Collin Andeng, Gus Scott-Morriss, Shaun Hobson, Ollie Kensdale, Jack Bridge, Callum Powell, Harry Taylor, Cavaghn Miley ©, Wesley Fonguck, Chris Wreh, Kacper Lopata

Goalscorer: Kacper Lopata, Callum Powell, Jack Bridge

Subs:

Louis Lomas, Noor Husin, Rhys Murphy, Aaron Cosgrave, Jason Demetriou

Attendance: 2704 (away 1446)