Following the 0-0 draw against league leaders Wexham over the weekend, Dean Brennan made one adjustment to the starting lineup that faced Solihull Moors on Tuesday evening. Emmanuel Fernandez was benched in favor of Nicke Kabamba, who started the game once more.
In the early going, Barnet was the dominant team and had a few corners, but they were unable to capitalize on them. A throw from Jordan Cropper across the box presented a good opportunity, but no player was able to get a head on it.
The first goal of the game was almost scored by the visiting team, but the shot was blocked at close range and away from the net. Despite winning a free-kick in a risky area, Solihull Moors could only put the ball over the bar.
Laurie Walker was then called into action as he was forced into a low diving save to deny Solihull the opener.
The deadlock was finally broken. After catching a long ball, Kabamba returned it to Harry Ptrichard, who found Harry Smith for at the back post, who put a simple header into the back of the net.
After the opening goal, Idris Kanu nearly doubled the advantage, but a defender’s foot got in the way and the ball went out for a corner.
Walker was in the perfect spot to easily catch the ball when Solihull Moors’ striker attempts an overhead kick.
A brilliant move by The Bees late in the first half gives Danny Collinge enough time to cross the ball and find Kanu, whose shot skims the crossbar.
Early in the second half, Barnet nearly scored a second goal. Cropper’s long throw-in entered the danger zone, but Smith was only able to head the ball a few inches over the bar.
Walker was called into action again. Our number one made an excellent low diving save to parry away a dangerous strike from the Solihull forward.
Barnet saw out the win which secured our place in the National League Play-Offs for the first time since 2020.
Barnet Starting XI: Walker, Potter, Collinge, Okimo, Kabamba (Fernandez 78′), Kanu, Pritchard, Beard (Gorman 60′), Smith (Moyo 86′), Cropper, De Havilland
Unused Substitutes: Powell, Senior
Goals: Smith 30′
Attendance: 1,250 (36 Away)
