MATCH REPORT | BARNET FC VS DORKING WANDERERS

Barnet FC played out a competitive 2-2 draw with Dorking Wanderers in a behind closed doors friendly at The Hive Stadium on a warm sunny afternoon.

It was the first meeting between the two clubs at The Hive since their National League clash in March 2024, with the Bees winning the game 6-0.

Both sides started brightly, with early midfield battles setting the tone.

Dorking opened the scoring inside the first 10 minutes, as Alfie Rutherford found space in the box and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner to give the visitors the early lead.

Barnet looked to respond quickly, but Dorking continued to apply pressure.

A defensive lapse nearly allowed Dorking to double their lead, but the Bees’ keeper was alert to make a crucial save.

As the half progressed, Barnet began to settle into the game.

Ryan Glover’s pace down the left and Ollie Hawkins’ physical presence up front caused problems, linking well with Zak Brunt and Rhys Browne.

On 25 minutes, Glover drove into space on the flank and squared the ball to Adam Senior, whose strike towards the near post was denied by the goalkeeper.

The Bees’ persistence paid off just after the half-hour mark, as Emmanuel Osadebe weaved into the box and delivered a curling ball across goal, which Rhys Browne was able to turn home to make it 1-1.

Barnet came close to taking the lead before the break, with Anthony Hartigan delivering a dangerous ball into the box for Senior, whose effort drifted just wide.

Half-Time: Barnet FC 1-1 Dorking Wanderers

The second half picked up where the first left off, with both teams looking to regain the lead.

An early chance saw Osadebe tap in the ball from close range, but the goal was ruled out for offside.

Barnet made a full team change on the hour mark, substituting the starting XI for the substitute XI.

But moments later, Dorking edged ahead midway through the second half when a free-kick from Dan Pybus on the edge of the area deflected off the wall and fell into the goal to make it 2-1 to the visitors.

The Bees pushed for an equaliser and were rewarded a penalty in the 80th minute after a foul in the box.

Scott High stepped up and confidently converted into the bottom left corner to level the score.

In the final moments, a stray clearance from Barnet’s trialist goalkeeper fell to Dorking’s Seb Tauta-Caballero, who struck from distance but sent his shot over the bar.

Barnet pushed for a late winner, but the game ended level as the referee blew for full-time.

Full-Time: Barnet FC 2-2 Dorking Wanderers

Starting Line-Up: Trialist, Collinge, Tavares, Senior, Hartigan, Osadebe, Kanu, Brunt, Browne, Glover, Hawkins

Second Half Line-Up: Trialist, Rya, Kensdale, Crichlow, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist, High, Galvin, Trialist

Barnet FC Goal Scorers: Browne, High (Pen)

Dorking Wanderers Goal Scorers: Rutherford, Pybus