MATCH REPORT | BARNET FC 3-1 YORK CITY

A dominant performance from the Bees, collecting all three points at The Hive, beating York City 3-1 in the Vanarama National League.

Barnet put the pressure on York, who sit second in the league, from the first whistle. They took control of the game and were relentless with their challenges.

An early chance came for Lee Ndlovu to put Barnet ahead as a corner kick arrived at his feet, he was disposed by York and the fighting spirit continued.

York City’s first shot came from across the box but was dealt with easily by Callum Stead, allowing the Bees to take back control and move back up the pitch.

 More close calls came for Barnet in the opening minutes with a strike from Kanu failing to reach the back of the net.

The Bees’ efforts finally produced a goal in the 16^th minute. Amongst a scramble inside the box, Oluwu found the ball and managed to tap it into the net.

In the remaining minutes of the first half the team continued to fight, pushing York up the pitch and threatening their back line.

Barnet managed to keep the ball in the opposition half for long enough to produce an array of goal opportunities, frustratingly, none of which were able to be converted into goals.

A cross by Ryan Glover into the box forced York City’s goalkeeper, Harrison Male, into a tight save.

An end-to-end struggle followed as the visitors then challenged loanee goalkeeper, Toby Savin on his debut for Barnet, in one of their only shots on goal so far.

Savin showed his promise for the Bees again as York continued to attempt to equalise the score.

As the half time whistle approached, Barnet did not stop applying pressure.

Another opportunity for a second goal came as York keeper Male, went down just outside of the six-yard box, the ball was cleared away and play continued.

The Bees continued to test the visitors’ defence with relentless shots until the first half ended.

A foul on Idris Kanu saw York receive a yellow card, 3 minutes of additional time were added on, and the half time whistle sounded.

In the early minutes of the second half the Bees took the first chance of the 45.

York’s keeper was caught on the edge of his box, fumbled the ball and Barnet took the chance to attempt a goal, however the ball went wide.

Barnet received a corner which failed to be collected and was intercepted by York as they once again travelled up the pitch in an attempt to level the score.

Their attempts were unsuccessful as the Bees regained possession and control of the game.

Lee Ndlovu finally joined the scoresheet in the 51^st minute after an impressive shift throughout the match.

 The Bees were putting pressure on the York defence around the goal, giving Ndlovu the chance to cut inside and send the ball under the keeper and into the bottom corner.

Only six minutes later Hartigan scored the third goal of the night for Barnet.

The Bees were awarded a free kick, taken by Hartigan who curled the ball past the keeper and into the net.

Dean Brennan made the first change to his side in the 66^th minute, bringing Jordan Cropper onto the pitch in the place of Joe Grimwood.

Savin was given another opportunity to prove himself to the Bees when he was faced with a free kick from the opposition which he expertly punched away, maintaining his clean sheet.

Three more substitutions followed as Clifford, Brunt, and Telford came on to replace Ndlovu, Glover, and Browne.

York City managed to get the ball into the net in the 91^st minute after five minutes of additional time were added.

The full-time whistle was blown and the Bees left with 3 points added to their tally.

Barnet are still sitting comfortably in first place with 70 in the Vanarama National League, seven points ahead of tonight’s opposition.

Full Time: 3 – 1

Lineup: Savin, Ndlovu (Clifford 81’), Stead, Kanu, Glover (Brunt 84’), Hartigan, Browne (Telford 88’), Oluwu, Grimwood (Cropper 66’), Tavares, Kenlock

Goals: Oluwu 16’, Ndlovu 51’, Hartigan 57’

Attendance: 4050