Nick Sandamas on the growing momentum behind Barnet FC’s bid to return to the Football League

Barnet vs York City in the National League at The Hive — The Bees take on promotion rivals York City – (Credit – Nick Sandamas)

At the end of January the race for that one automatic promotion spot to the English Football League (EFL) was so tight that there was the possibility of it going right down to the wire but, with rivals Forest Green and York City both slipping up, Barnet took full advantage to open up a nine-point lead.

The Bees are on an unbeaten league run which has now stretched to 20 games and even the loss of top striker Nicke Kabamba to Bromley in January has not derailed their title aspirations.

As the month kicked off, a mere three points separated the top three and a visit to Tamworth (who only a few weeks previously played Spurs in the FA Cup) proved difficult with a Callum Stead strike on 35 minutes the only goal of the game.

The following week, it was a visit to another of the promoted clubs, Boston United and, just before half time, centre half Danny Collinge was red carded for a two-footed challenge but despite the one man advantage, the Pilgrims were unable to break down a stout defence.

Two home games on the bounce were a chance to get back on the winning trail and they didn’t disappoint with 3-1 wins over both Solihull Moors and second-placed York City.

In the Moors game, Dom Telford gave the Bees an early lead, however this was cancelled out within 25 seconds of the restart through Francis Holman, before Lee Ndlovu came off the bench to score twice to win the game.

Against the Ministermen under the Tuesday night lights, the Bees totally dominated their second placed opponents.

Having taken the lead on the quarter-hour mark through Ade Oluwo, early second half strikes from Ndlovu and Anthony Hartigan sealed the win with York scoring a consolation in the final minute.

The Bees final game of the month was a seemingly tricky trip to Rochdale but it ended up being an easy win for the black and amber as they strolled past their Lancashire opponents by four goals to nil.

Callum Stead took only five minutes to open the scoring before Rhys Browne and Dom Telford scored either side of half time to give the Bees unassailable three-nil lead. Ryan Glover scored a late fourth to put the icing on the cake: even more so as both their nearest challengers both failed to win for the second game in a row.

So, as we go to press, the Bees lead by nine points.

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