Barnet booked their place in the next round of the Emirates FA Cup with a convincing 3-0 victory over Tranmere Rovers at The Hive.
The Bees were looking to make home advantage count against their League Two opponents and started brightly, creating a number of opportunities throughout the opening half-hour.
Despite Tranmere winning the game’s first corner inside the opening minute, it was Barnet who threatened most in the early exchanges.
Adam Senior came close early on, seeing his effort drift just over the crossbar, before a series of set pieces allowed the Bees to put the visitors under pressure.
Barnet continued to build momentum and almost found the breakthrough through Idris Kanu. The winger curled a superb effort just wide on 15 minutes before producing an impressive run four minutes later, beating three defenders only to fire over the crossbar.
As the half wore on, the hosts continued to ask questions of the Tranmere defence. Romoney Crichlow saw an effort well blocked before another Barnet corner kept the pressure firmly on the visitors.
The closest either side came to opening the scoring arrived on the half-hour mark.
Crichlow looked destined to score after beating the goalkeeper, but Tranmere defender Olly Scott produced a remarkable goal-line clearance to somehow keep the scores level.
Despite enjoying the better chances and controlling large periods of the opening half, Barnet were unable to find a way through before the break.
HALF TIME 0-0
Tranmere threatened after the restart, with Matthew Cox making an important save to deny Charlie Whitaker, who also struck the woodwork.
Barnet continued to play on the front foot and were eventually rewarded for their persistence, finding the breakthrough through in the 80th minute. Brandon Comley’s delivery following a corner found Kane Smith at the back post, and he fired into the roof of the net to give Barnet the lead, bagging his first for the club.
With the deadlock broken, confidence flowed through the Bees side and they soon doubled their advantage through the birthday boy, Nnamdi Ofoborh. Through one-on-one, the midfielder kept his composure and wrong-footed the goalkeeper to double the advantage and take firm control of the tie.
Tranmere attempted to respond, but Barnet remained organised defensively and restricted the visitors’ opportunities while continuing to look dangerous going forward.
As the match entered its closing stages, the outcome looked increasingly certain as the Bees managed the game and protected their two-goal lead.
There was still time for one final flourish deep into stoppage time.
On 90+5 minutes, Damola Ajayi scored his first for the club. The forward calmly placed the ball into the back of the net wrapping up the tie.
Three late strikes, a clean sheet and a place in the second round for the Bees.
FULL TIME 3-0
Barnet: Cox, Crichlow (69′Â Kane Smith), Collinge, Tavares, Senior (90′ Liwala), Gallagher, Comley, Kanu, Reeves (70′ Knowles), Lakin (83′ Oforborh), Maskell (70′ Ajayi)
Subs not used: Ashby-Hammond, Kenlock, Williams, Noel-Williams
Attendance:1615 (inc. 361 away)
