Nick Sandamas sees the Bees come from behind to win

Barnet FC in action against Braintree Town — The Bees take on Braintree (Credit – Nick Sandamas)

Barnet 3 Braintree Town 1

The Bees got over the shock of going a goal behind in the opening minute to secure another three points at The Hive to maintain their perfect home start to the season.

Former Bees legend John Akinde (now with Braintree) gave his side the perfect start with the opener when he picked up a high ball in his own half and outpaced Ade Oluwo with a pacey run, before entering the area and firing a low shot into the net past keeper Nick Hayes. The goal was timed at 52 seconds.

However within three minutes the Bees were back on level terms when great play between Harry Chapman & Zak Brunt found Mark Shelton and he rolled the ball into the net from 6 yards. Then, 12 minutes on from that goal, the turnaround was complete as the Bees went in front for the first time when Chapman produced a fine cross for Callum Stead to head home over keeper Lucas Covolan.

Stead had another chance at goal minutes later but his effort trickled towards the post and out for a goal kick.

As the game ebbed and flowed, the Bees had yet another chance to score a third, but this time Covolan flung himself to keep out Brunt’s effort.

With the second half only minutes old, the Iron had two quick efforts to press for a leveller, first Matt Robinson fired over the bar then Tom Blackwell was unlucky as his shot was deflected over the bar.

And on 66 minutes Inih Effiong should have bought his side level, but Hayes stuck out a leg to preserve the Bees’ slender one goal lead.

Then, with 20 minutes to go, Shelton saw Covolan pull off a great one handed save to keep the Iron in the game.

Soon after Jordan Cropper was next to try for luck for the Bees in their quest to put the game to bed, but Covolan did superbly to turn his effort away for a corner.

However, on 82 minutes, the game finally got its fourth goal. It was the Bees who grabbed it to make the game safe when good passing play eventually found Brunt, whose low cross into the six yard error eventually going in via George Langston’s body for an own goal.

A fourth Bees goal looked on the cards in time added on, but Covolan stopped Rhys Browne’s slide rule shot on the line.

The Iron did give a good account of themselves on the day and their performance deserved more, but the Bees grabbed the win which moves them up to third, just a couple of points off top spot.

It’s derby day for the Bees next Saturday with the short trip to face fierce rivals Wealdstone.

Team: Hayes, Grimwood (Kizzi 50), Kenlock, Oluwo, Coker (Cropper 70), Glover, Hartigan (c), Shelton, Chapman (Browne 75) Stead (Hobson 75), Brunt

Subs not used: Gilmore, Rye, Okimo

Attendance: 1507 (129 away fans)

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