Nick Sandamas sees a stirring Bees fightback secure an away win

Barnet taking on Dagenham & Redbridge in the National League — The Bees in action at Dagenham & Redbridge

Dagenham & Redbridge 3 Barnet 4

The Bees roared back from being 3-1 down early in the second half to score three goals in a twelve minute spell and secure a priceless win in a thriller at Victoria road.

The scene was set on 24 seconds when the Daggers took the lead after a marauding run by Ryan Hall, who brushed off a defender to find Josh Umerah to score from close range.

The lead though lasted a mere three minutes as the Bees soon levelled.

A cross was punched away by keeper Elliot Justham but only as far as Idris Kanu. He took one touch before firing the ball low into the net from eight yards.

The Bees then took control creating a couple of opportunities to go in front: Kanu blasted over and Zak Brunt had his shot blocked by Luca Woodhouse’s body.

Then on 34 minutes & against the run of play, the Daggers retook the lead when a long throw into the box caused panic. The ball eventually found Umerah on the right and he whipped a low cross into the box to the feet of Romoney Crichlow who tapped the ball into the net.

Then, just three minutes into the second half, the Daggers scored again to open up a two-goal lead when Ryan Hall fired into the roof of the net following a crossfield pass from Harry Phipps.

With the game now seemingly over, Rhys Browne came on with half an hour left and this certainly had an effect as the Bees went for all out attack.

On 65 minutes they were awarded a penalty when Bailey Hobson was shoved over in the box by Phipps and Nicke Kabamba made no mistake from the spot. Three minutes later the referee pointed to the spot again when Myles Kenlock was tripped by Tom Eastman and Kabamba took an identical penalty, sending Justham the wrong way again to draw the title chasing Bees level.

The turnaround was complete on 76 minutes with the Bees hitting the front, Browne took a pass from Kanu, turned and fired home underneath the body of Justham at the near post to send the 532 away fans into delirium.

The Bees then had plenty of chances to put the game to bed.

First Callum Stead was denied by Justham, then the keeper pulled off a fantastic save to tip over Ryan Glover’s header from point blank range & Kabamba was denied by a Phipps goalline clearance.

These missed opportunities nearly cost them as the Daggers almost stole a point in the dying seconds as the Bees threw on a couple of defenders.

First Justham (who had come up for a corner) headed against Hayes’ legs, then Frank Vincent from all of 30 yards struck the bar with the keeper, backpedalling towards his goal, relieved that it didn’t go over his head and into the net.

The Bees held on to take three crucial points to put them right back in the title race with only three points separating the top three.

Barnet are back at The Hive tomorrow (Saturday 23rd) with Woking the visitors.

Team: Hayes, Kenlock, Oluwo, Coker (Browne 60), Collinge, Glover (Cropper 90), Brunt (Stead 46), Hobson, Hartigan, Kabamba, Kanu (Taveras 90)

Attendance 2428 (532 away fans)

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