Barnet FC are heading for promotion reports Nick Sandamas

Barnet FC taking on Dagenham & Redbridge in the National League — The Bees taking on Dagenham & Redbridge at The Hive last month (Credit – Nick Sandamas)

As February ended, National League leaders Barnet held a seven-point lead at the top after taking advantage of their title rivals slipping up.

The Bees began March with a potentially tough trip to face play-off contenders Rochdale. However, they swept aside their Lancashire opponents by scoring four goals without reply.

Next up, injury hit Yeovil came to The Hive and it was a stroll in the park for the Bees: a five star performance including two late penalties from Harry Chapman and Dom Telford. That good night’s work was made even better by both Forest Green and York City failing to win.

A lunchtime game followed with Dagenham & Redbridge in town. The East Londoners made it as difficult as they possibly could with keeper Louis Taylor in inspired form pulling off a string of saves. However the Bees persistence eventually paid off in the third minute of injury time as Lee Ndlovu struck to send the 3800 Bees fans into raptures. And with York City and Forest Green drawing against each other, the Bees stretched their lead to eleven points.

The Bees were then on their travels with a short trip to face Woking. It was a tough game, however Rhys Browne’s goal at the midway point of the first half proved the difference as the Bees secured yet another three points to maintain their eleven-point lead at the summit.

After that it was back on the road for the second successive Saturday with a tough encounter against Altrincham but, again a single goal was enough for the Bees to triumph, and again it was that man Browne who proved to be the match winner for the second successive weekend.

With their nearest challengers both losing, the Bees headed into the final weekend of March with a fourteen point lead.

As we went to press at the end of March, Gateshead were due to visit to The Hive hoping for another win.

The Bees are creating records, too: unbeaten in 25 league games, with seven away clean sheets in a row and twelve wins from the last thirteen.

The title is within sight, four wins from the final seven games will definitely complete the job and bring league football back to The Hive after an absence of eight years.

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