The Bees hosted Maidenhead United in the Vanarama National League, for the first game at The Hive Stadium in 2025 which ended 3-0 to Dean Brennan’s side after a solid performance.
The Bees started the opening minutes of the game piling the pressure on the visitors by continuously pushing the ball up into the opposition’s half.
Kanu and Glover were both creating chances from their sides of the pitch, crossing or driving the ball into the box but every chance was foiled by Craig Ross in goal and the Maidenhead defence.
Barnet kept driving and pushing the ball up field but couldn’t seem to get the ball over the line, with every attempt falling just wide of the post or being stopped by their experienced keeper.
However in the 27th minute, a quickly taken corner by Idris Kanu played short to Zak Brunt who crossed the ball past everyone in the box, found the head of Ryan Glover who rose to head home giving Barnet the lead. Callum Stead slotted the ball firmly into the back of the net after an attempted goal line clearance but Glover’s goal was already given as the linesman raised his flag and the celebrations ensued.
The Bees had full control of the game as half-time approached. Maidenhead tried to press the Barnet defence but struggled to make any headway at all against a strong back three of Nik Tavares, Danny Collinge and Myles Kenlock.
Half time 1-0
As the second half kicked off, the Bees came out flying, constantly pressing towards the Maidenhead box. Out of nowhere, Mark Shelton took a strike at goal and doubled the lead for the Bees in the 47th minute – a well placed Zak Brunt pass out wide to Idris Kanu who claimed the assist as his low cross beat the Maidenhead defence.
In the opening minutes of the second half Maidenhead tried to put up a fight but every chance they had at clearing the ball away from their half was intercepted by the Bees and pushed back up the other way.
When Maidenhead finally found their way into the Bees box, Evans was their to collect and distributed the ball calmly up field with some quick foot work.
Throughout the game Zak Brunt and Idris Kanu created multiple chances with and for each other. This paid off in the 70th minute when Brunt unselfishly put the ball on a plate for Kanu who struck sweetly towards goal finding the bottom right corner.
In the final moments of the match, Barnet still held the ball in the opposition half, protecting the clean sheet and keeping a strong hold on their lead. However, Maidenhead found an opening and charged towards goal but were met with the full force of Barnet’s defence, preventing any last chance opportunity for a consolation goal.
As the referee blew for full-time, Barnet extended their unbeaten run to 13 in the league, adding three points to the table and finishing the day top of the table.
Full time 3-0
Lineups: Evans, Collinge, Ndlovu (Browne74’), Stead, Kanu (Coker 74’), Glover, Brunt (Clifford 81’), Hartigan, Shelton, Tavares (Grimwood 86’), Kenlock.
Goals: Stead (27’), Shelton (47’), Kanu (70’)
Stadium Attendance: 1630 (101 away supporters)