Result – 3-2

Goals – Jon Fortune and Iffy Allen

Team – M. Gill, J. Hackett, E. Johnson, A. Yiadom, J. Fortune, I. Thomas, I. Allen, L. Gambin, G. Sykes, J. Lowe, A. Edgar

Subs – O. Lawson, K. Asanti, Z. Khlay, D. Senda

Another excellent performance from the Under 21 players who should have won this game comfortably but failed to convert the chances created. The Development squad looked an exciting group on paper and outplayed the hosts with some good positive attacking football. Many of the players involved travelled back late the night before from the First Team game versus Fleetwood and others were involved in the Under 18’s game on the Saturday as they faced a tough trip to Ipswich. Barnet also welcomed back George Sykes from his training camp with Scotland’s Under-19 squad.

Barnet started the game with a back four of Hackett, Fortune, Thomas and Johnson, a midfield three of Yiadom, Allen and Gambin and three upfront, made up of Sykes, Lowe and Edgar. The movement and football played was excellent. On 33 minutes the Bees went one up after a corner which was headed in by Jon Fortune. This was nothing more than the team deserved as they created chance after chance but found the home keeper in fine form. A poor defensive header by Jamal Hackett allowed Ipswich to equalize, but the team continued to play open and attacking, possession based football.

At half time the team were made aware of how well they had been playing and to continue this in the second half. The rotation in midfield was excellent and the hold-up play was superb. Defensively the team had a good shape and looked comfortable.

The second half started much the same, with 8 minutes played and some good play down the left the ball was cut back for Iffy Allen to score with a side foot finish from 18 yards. On 63 minutes Ipswich equalized after a scramble in the Barnet box from a corner which the team failed to clear properly. With literally the last kick of the game the home side scored the winner.

The performance, effort and the way the players approached the game was fantastic and if they continue to play in that fashion the next result should not be too far away.