Barnet clinched a memorable 3-1 victory over Bristol Rovers in Sky Bet League Two on Saturday afternoon at the Memorial Ground.
In the battle of the undefeated runs, Rovers lead through Ellis Harrison, but late second half efforts from Adam Senior, Zac Williams and Kabongo Tshimanga sealed all three points in the southwest for the Bees.
In our first league clash in nearly a month, it was Steve Evans’ side who started bright and on four minutes their early dominance paid dividends – Harrison smashing home after some tidy work from Shaq Forde.
This certainly encouraged Rovers and in what proved to be a fiery opening half an hour Barnet would have Oisin Gallagher to thank with a superb sweeping clearance denying the hosts a second – following some more good work from the troublesome Forde.
Dean Brennan would ultimately change his sides shape and with Tom Knowles’ effort on 43 minutes, signalling a switch in momentum.
Senior would threaten on the stroke of half time, before the rebounding ball fell to Irdis Kanu who fired over.
HALF TIME
Barnet would start the second half bright, with Senior threatening with a looping header.
But, the hosts would quickly grow into the half, Tommy Leigh going close with a scuffed effort before Danny Collinge had to be on hand to deny the Rovers attacker with a smart defensive block.
A triple change on 59 minutes would signify a major switch for Barnet, with Brandon Comley, Damola Ajayi and Nik Tavares entering the field and they would quickly make an impact.
Ajayi combining well Tshimanga before Gallagher fired over.
However, it would be the 79th minute that saw the game flipping on it’s head.
Tshimanga involved down the left, before pulling the ball back to Senior who at the far post coolly taped home his first of the campaign and more importantly Barnet’s equaliser.
Five minutes later Bristol Rovers would be down to ten, with Tommy Leigh receiving his marching orders for a late lunge on Charlie Lakin – a decision Barnet would take full advantage of just two minutes later.
Williams would pick the ball up on the edge-of-the-box before unleashing a stunning effort which flew into the top corner – kissing the underside of the crossbar on its way in, a fine way to seal only his second Barnet goal.
But the Bees weren’t finished there.
With the clock running down, Tshimanga would lead the counter attacking before slotting home for his fifth of the campaign whilst putting the cherry on top on what was a great afternoon in the southwest for the Bees.
Dean Brennan’s side will now be looking to continue their unbeaten run next weekend when they face a trip to Tranmere Rovers.
Starting XI: Cox, Senior, Collinge, Williams, Crichlow (Tavares 59’), Reeves (Comley 59’), Gallagher, Lakin (Kenlock 90’), Knowles (Ajayi 59’) Tshimanga, Kanu (Maskell 73’)
Subs not used: Haralambous, Liwala.
Attendance: 8953, Barnet Fans:Â 522
