MATCH REPORT | HITCHIN TOWN 1-3 BARNET FC | PRE-SEASON

First-half goals from Anthony Hartigan, Finley Wilkinson, and Rhys Browne secured an opening pre-season victory against Hitchin Town at Top Field.

The first chance of the game fell to Rhys Browne. Finley Wilkinson made an excellent run to the edge of the Hitchin box before playing the ball into the path of Rhys Browne, whose strike went narrowly wide of the far post.

Ex-Bees James Callan was called into action in the Hitchin goal with three big saves to keep the score level in the space of 10 minutes.

The Bees took the lead after 34 minutes when Anthony Hartigan’s free-kick slipped through the hands of the keeper and fell into the back of the net.

Just four minutes later, Barnet doubled the lead after Nik Tavares excellently won the ball deep inside the Hitchin half before playing the ball to Finley Wilkinson, who curled his strike into the bottom corner of the net from the edge of the box.

Hitchin’s biggest chance of the game came from an effort from the halfway line, which needed a fingertip save from Jordan Gillmore to deny the home side.

Rhys Browne added a third goal for The Bees after an excellent turn around his defender and placing his shot perfectly into the bottom corner of the net.

The Canaries got their first goal of the game in first-half stoppage time with a close-range strike from Lewis Franklin.

HT: Hitchin Town 1-3 Barnet FC

11 changes were made at the break, with the likes of Nicke Kabamba, Zak Brunt, and Jerome Okimo coming on.

The second half saw very few chances, with the best chance of the half falling to Zak Brunt. A great bit of skill from Callum Stead saw him beat his man out on the right wing before he played the ball to Zak Brunt on the edge of the Hitchin box. Brunt’s strike was well blocked by a Hitchin defender.

Zak Brunt was involved again when another strike was well blocked inside the Hitchin box after Ben Coker’s free-kick found the winger inside the penalty area.

The last chance of the game fell to Nicke Kabamba, who was unable to make contact with a loose ball that was played across the face of the Hitchin goal.

FT: Hitchin Town 1-3 Barnet FC

Barnet FC First-Half XI: Gillmore, Oluwo, Grimwood, Kenlock, Tavares, Hartigan, Clifford, Trialist, Wilkinson, Matejko, Browne

Barnet FC Second-Half XI: Hayes, Kizzi, Rye, Okimo, Cropper, Shelton, Blower, Stead, Brunt, Kabamba

Goals: Hartigan 34′, Wilkinson 38′, Browne 43′