The Bees fielded three sides over the ninety to give the full squad an opportunity to get minutes under their belt.
The deadlock was broken just six minutes in. Fumnaya Shomotun powerfully fired Barnet into the lead after good work from Elliot Johnson down the left hand side. His cross wasn’t dealt with and the ball fell to Shomotun who dribbled past one defender before unleashing a powerful strike which Worgan couldn’t keep out.
On eleven minutes Barnet doubled their advantage. After good build up down the right, Akinola crossed to find Justin Amaluzor racing in who finished with a brilliant diving header.
Barnet were dominant in the opening half an hour, limiting Maidstone to just one opportunity. Dias brought the ball forward into the Barnet box, he went down under pressure but no penalty was awarded.
On twenty-six minutes, skipper Michael Nelson was forced off as a precautionary measure after picking up a knock. Less than five minutes later, ten of his teammates joined him on the bench as the second XI took their place on the field.
It took less than sixty seconds for the new team to make it three.
The first of our trialists brought the ball forward before unselfishly squaring to birthday boy John Akinde. His shot was blocked but it fell kindly to Alex Nicholls who tapped home.
Into the second half and the hosts brought on a whole new team. The Stones were much more resolute in defence and frustrated the Barnet attackers.
The hour mark brought another Barnet XI and they kept the pressure up as well as the two sides that had been before them.
Mason-Clark, Akpa Akpro and Watson all had chances blocked or saved before the Bees made it four with fifteen to play.
Maidstone were caught playing out from the back, Ryan Watson brought the ball forwards, turned away from one defender before slotting home into the bottom-right corner.
The hosts forced a corner in the eighth-first minute, it was easily dealt with by the Barnet defence and the ball broke kindly to Jamal Campbell-Ryce. He laid a wonderful ball through to Jean Louis Akpa Akpro who took it around the ‘keeper to slot home and make it five.
Maidstone did have chances late on, Campbell had a shot excellently blocked by Santos and Pigott’s ambitious effort sailed high and wide, not bothering McKenzie-Lyle in the Barnet goal.
There were lots of positives to take from the match into the rest of the pre-season campaign. Next up for the Bees is Premier League side Swansea City on Wednesday night at The Hive.
We will have reaction from Rossi Eames and Justin Amaluzor later this evening.
Line-up 1 | Stephens, H. Taylor, Nelson, Smith, Johnson, J. Taylor, Sweeney, Shomotun, Cojocarel, Akinola, Amaluzor.
Line-up 2 | Ross, Coulson, Clough, Payne, Coker, Fonguck, Bover, Nicholls, Trialist, Kyei, Akinde.
Line-up 3 | McKenzie-Lyle, Day, Santos, Payne, Tutonda, Watson, Weston, Trialist, Mason-Clark, Campbell-Ryce, Akpa Akpro.
