Nick Sandamas see the Bees beat their promotion rivals to extend their lead at the top

Barnet vs York City in the National League at The Hive — The Bees take on York in this week’s top of the table clash – (Credit – Nick Sandamas)

Barnet 3 York City 1

Top of the table Barnet extended their unbeaten league run to nineteen games after beating second-placed York City in a massive game witnessed by a crowd of over 4000 at The Hive.

The Bees totally dominated their North Yorkshire opponents and would have won by a wider margin had it not being for a host of missed chances.

They made four changes from Saturday’s win over Solihull Moors with Lee Ndlovu coming back into the starting line up for Dom Telford following his two goal burst against the Moors, with Rhys Browne in for the injured Mark Shelton and Joe Grimwood – who did well when coming off the bench at the weekend – replacing Zak Brunt. Keeper Toby Savin, drafted in on an emergency loan from Shrewsbury following an injury to Owen Evans, started in goal.

It was a totally different playing style to what Bees fans have previously been used to with boss Dean Brennan choosing all out attack with a three-man forward line. And these attacking intentions were clear from the off with two great chances to open the scoring in the opening 10 minutes.

First, Browne swept a shot past the post then was unlucky soon afterwards when he failed to take advantage of a mix-up in the Ministermen’s defence firing past the post with the goal gaping.

However, it was fall smiles on 15 minutes when the Bees found an opener.

A long Ryan Glover throw reached the six-yard and found Browne, who set up Ade Oluwo to toe poke the ball into the net beyond the reach of keeper Harrison Male.

With Adam Hinshelwood’s side being outhought, a change was made on the half hour with Josh Stones coming on to bolster the attack.

York saw out the rest of the half with no further goals, but within eleven minutes of the restart, two quickfire goals virtually finished the Ministermen off.

Lenell John-Lewis came on for the visitors for the second half,but this gave the Bees more space and, on 50 minutes, they doubled their lead when Glover played an inch perfect pass to Ndlovu and he side-footed the ball into the net past the despairing dive of Male. Then, seven minutes later, a curling free kick on the left by skipper Anthony Hartigan evaded everyone as it wrestled into the net for his first goal of the season to make it 3-0.

The Bees had plenty more chances to make the score even greater.

First Callum Stead had a shot beaten away by Male just past the hour and, with 20 minutes remaining, Hartigan came close to his second but Mole was equal to his shot.

With the three points going the Bees way, York did come into it late on with a header which struck both posts before being cleared away.

And they eventually managed to give their fans something to take back up North, a goal by Malachi Fagan-Walcott bang on 90 minutes, a mere consolation.

The final whistle went with scenes of jubilation and Bees fans singing “we’re on our way to the Football League”.

This result has certainly given the Bees a platform and, with Forest Green surprisingly only drawing at bottom of the table Ebbsfleet, the gap at the top has widened to seven points although both main challengers have a chance of closing the gap with games in hand.

Next up for the Bees is a trip to face Rochdale, who themselves have play-off aspirations and will be looking to avenge the 2-1 defeat at The Hive back in October.

Team: Savin, Grimwood (Cropper 66), Oluwo, Taveras, Kenlock, Glover (Brunt 84) Hartigan, Browne (Telford 88), Stead, Ndlovu (Clifford 88). Kanu

Subs not used: Ballagambi, Coker, Okimo

Attendance 4050 (1185 away fans)

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