Nick Sandamas on the Bees loss in their opening National League fixture

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

The Bees, strong favourites for the National League title fell to an agonising opening day loss at The Shay against Chris Millington’s FC Halifax Town side.

Up against a side who also reached the play-offs last season, it was always going to be a tough opener for the Bees and so it proved up in West Yorkshire.

The Bees gave debuts in the starting eleven to three of their summer signings – goalkeeper Nick Hayes, centre half Myles Kenlock and midifelder Billy Clifford with Finley Wilkinson, Jermaine Francis, Joe Kizzi & Harry Chapman coming off the bench in the latter part of the second half to try and get something from the game.

All the goals came in the space of eleven second half minutes, the Shayman opening the scoring through Jamie Cooke on 50 minutes. The Bees were quickly back on level terms within five minutes thanks to left back Ben Coker but the Shayman retook the lead for a second time on the hour through Adam Adetoro.

Despite the Bees making changes on the pitch after the second goal, the Shayman held on for the 3 points.

The Bees will be hoping to get off the mark next Saturday when they travel to Ebbsfleet who also began with a defeat, a 5-1 thumping at Gateshead.

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