Nick Sandamas reports watches the Bees win their first pre-season friendly

Barnet FC take on Hitchin Town in a pre-season friendly — Barnet FC take on Hitchin Town on Monday (Credit – Nick Sandamas

The Bees opened up their pre season programme with a deserved 3-1 win over their Hertfordshire opponents at a rainy Top Field.

The Bees (parading several new signings) started the game well, but found former Bee and now Canaries keeper James Callan in top form to keep his side on level terms for the majority of the first half.

One of the Bees’ new signings Rhys Browne created the first chance on 15 minutes with a shot which fizzed just wide of the far post, then a few minutes later another close season signing Finlay Wilkinson turned and shot forcing a brilliant save from Callan. Callan was called into action again moments later to push away a Browne effort.

Another new boy Myles Kenlock tried his luck too, but Callan tipped his long ranger over the bar.

Then a spell of three goals in nine minutes put the Bees in control.

The first goal arrived on 34 minutes when midfield wizard Anthony Hartigan’s free kick went into the net after a fumble from Callan.

Four minutes later the Bees doubled their lead when another of the new signings Nik Taveres played a sublime pass for Wilkinson to finish from close range and five minutes later Browne effectively wrapped the game up with the third goal.

The Canaries gave themselves hope with the half time whistle pending when Lewis Franklin swept the ball home first time past a posse of defenders and keeper Jordan Gilmore.

The second half saw a totally different Bees 11 take the field including more new signings in the shape of Joe Kizzi, Joe Rye & Mark Shelton, but the second 45 wasn’t as good as the first with very few sights of goal.

Hitchin actually created the only worthwhile chance of the half late on, a header from Albie Hall just going wide.

All in all a good start for the Bees, however a tougher test awaits on Friday night as they face League 2 MK Dons in a match to be played at the home of Dunstable Town kick off 19:45.

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