Nick Sandamas sees the Bees ease into the next round of the FA Trophy

Barnet FC play Aveley in the FA Trophy — The Bees take on Aveley in the FA Trophy – (Credit – Nick Sandamas)

Barnet 2 Aveley 0

The Bees had a comfortable afternoon as the National League title chasers eased into the last 32 of the FA Trophy following a victory over National South strugglers Aveley on a cold, wet and windy afternoon at The Hive.

The Bees put out a much changed side with only Danny Collinge, Ben Coker and Mark Shelton remaining from the team who started their last league game against Hartlepool.

Recent signing Giosue Bellagambi was handed his debut in goal, while other squad players who were given the chance to get more minutes under their belt.

The subs bench included four academy players who were in the first team squad for the first time.

Bees midfielder Zak Brunt created the first opportunity on 15 minutes – a long range shot which ended up going just wide of the far post.

Reece Hall-Johnson was next to try his luck on 27 minutes, but his effort was thwarted by Millers keeper Carey Bloedorn and minutes later Shelton went close, but his shot ended up on top of the net.

After so much pressure, the Bees finally went in front on 32 minutes, a deep cross finding Nicke Kabamba waiting at the back post to score with the keeper joining the ball in the net.

Charlie Hughes for the Millers five minutes later had a run towards goal, but was forced wide, his shot ended up in the side netting in what would turn out to be their only chance kn goal in the whole match.

Brunt had a chance to double the Bees’ lead moments before the interval, but Bloedorn turned his shot around the post and behind.

With the weather worsening, the second half saw very little action in both goalmouths and it took until 78 minutes for a decent chance, Kabamba through, but Bloedorn came out to block his shot.

However with six minutes of normal time remaining, Brunt killed off any hopes of a Millers’ fightback with the second and deciding goal to finish the tie off.

Receiving a good pass, he ventured into the box before firing low into the corner to confirm the Bees’ passage into the last 32.

Soon after the second goal was scored, academy players Pedro Buburuzan and Bright Siaw came off the bench to get their first ever taste of first team action.

Kabamba had another chance late on to make the win more convincing, but again Bloedorn denied him.

The Bees marched on into Monday’s draw and next Saturday it’s back to league action as the title chase resumes with bottom side Ebbsfleet the visitors to The Hive.

Team: Bellagambi, Cropper, Collinge ©, Rye, Grimwood, Coker (Siew 86), Hall-Johnson (Buburuzan 90), Brunt, Clifford, Shelton, Kabamba

Subs not used: Hayes, Okimo, Liwala-Lukizalamo, Kalamaras

Attendance 588 (71 away fans)

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