Nick Sandamas sees the Bees come unstuck with defeat at Maidenhead

Barnet FC in action at Maidenhead United — The Bees in action at Maidenhead – (Credit – Nick Sandamas)

Maidenhead United 3 Barnet 1

The Bees suffered their second defeat of the season with a defeat against Maidenhead United who secured their first win of the season.

The Bees made two changes to their starting line up from Saturday’s win against Southend, with Ben Coker and Ryan Glover coming in for Reece Hall-Johnson and Harry Chapman who both dropped to the bench.

The Bees had two early chances. Both fell to Callum Stead, who shot wide with the first before forcing Magpies keeper Craig Ross to save one handed with the second.

However, on 15 minutes, the Magpies took the lead when Ben Coker was beaten to the ball, this released Tristan Abrahams who threaded a ball to Reece Smith who ran through on goal, rounded keeper Nick Hayes and slotted the ball into the net for a one-nil lead.

Zak Brunt had half a chance to draw the level five minutes later, but shot wide.

But then, on 40 minutes, the Magpies doubled their lead when Owen Cochrane found Jayden Mitchell-Lawson on the right side. He put in a low cross into the six-yard box and Abrahams was there to sweep the ball into the net for a two-nil home lead.

However, just as it seemed the Magpies would go into half time 2-0 ahead, the Bees struck to make it an interesting half time team talk. A 30-yard free kick from his own half by Hayes was floated high into the six yard box and onto the head of Stead to head into the net past Ross.

But the one goal advantage only lasted for eight minutes as, on 53 minutes, the Magpies scored a third, centre half Nik Taveres saw his attempted pass charged down by Smith and he ran into the area to slot the ball low into the corner of the net beyond the reach of Hayes.

Minutes later, Ryan Glover had another chance to pull another goal back for the Bees, but his strike from just inside the box was beaten out by Ross.

On the hour mark, the Bees made four changes from the bench, but try as they did to change the game and give themselves a chance of salvaging something, the Magpies stood firm to secure the three points.

The Bees in fifth will hope to get back to winning ways when they host Tamworth this Saturday.

Team: Hayes, Kizzi, Kenlock (Okimo 60), Taveres, Coker (Chapman 60) Glover, Brunt, Hartigan (c) Shelton (Nartey 60, Francis 90), Stead, Kanu (Hall-Richards 60)

Subs not used: Gilmore, Rye

Attendance: 1426

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