Match Report | Barnet FC 5-3 Chelsea XI

The Bees came back from behind twice to beat Chelsea 5-3 at The Hive as Barnet’s unbeaten pre-season continues.

Dean Brennan named an unchanged starting XI that drew 1-1 with MK Dons last week.

Barnet started brightly, with Ben Coker and Zak Brunt making attempts from distance in the opening moments of the game. 

Chelsea thought they had the lead after eleven minutes but were denied by the linesman’s flag. Chelsea were through on goal again, but this time they were denied by an excellent save from Laurie Walker at the feet of the Chelsea attacker.

Sam Barratt almost put The Bees ahead after twenty minutes. He gained possession from a Chelsea man on the halfway line before noticing the keeper off his line. Barratt went for goal and was denied by the fingertips of the Chelsea keeper.

Chelsea made the breakthrough just before the half-hour mark through Dylan Williams. The lead wouldn’t last for long as Nicke Kabamba headed in the equaliser from close range.

HT | Barnet FC 1-1 Chelsea XI

It took the visitors just 22 seconds after the restart to retake the lead. Williams with his second of the match. Two minutes later, Idris Kanu pulled The Bees back level with a strike inside the Chelsea box.

Barnet took the lead for the first time of the afternoon when Reece Hall-Johnson headed in Coker’s cross at the back post. Hall-Johnson then made it 4-2 after a lovely first-time chip from a ball played over the top of the Chelsea defence.

Sam Barratt headed in The Bees fifth goal of the game before Castledine scored a stunning goal from distance to make the game 5-3.

The drama didn’t end there, as Chelsea were awarded a penalty in the last minute of the game, which Laurie Walker excellently saved.

FT | Barnet FC 5-3 Chelsea XI

Barnet FC Starting XI: Walker, Hall-Johnson, Coker, Collinge, Okimo, Kabamba (Trialist 73′), Kanu, Pritchard, Oluwo, Barratt, Brunt.

Unused Substitutes: Trialist, Trialist, Trialist

Goals: Kabamba 36′, Kanu 48′, Hall-Johnson 57′,72′, Barratt 78′

Attendance: 685 (179 away).