Nick Sandamas sees Barnet FC suffer their first loss in 25 league games

Barnet FC taking on Braintree Town in the National League — The Bees finally lost on Saturday against Braintree – (Credit – Nick Sandamas)

Braintree Town 2 Barnet 1

Runaway league leaders Barnet suffered their first league defeat since mid October (a run spanning 25 games) as former Bees legend John Akinde’s last minute penalty secured a deserved win for Braintree.

Harry Chapman started his first game since returning from injury in one of two changes from the previous week’s win over Gateshead, with Dom Telford also coming in for the injured Lee Ndlovu.

The Iron started well with Kyreece Lisbie forcing a tremendous flying save from Owen Evans on 18 minutes and soon after, Evans was called into action again, this time to beat Chay Cooper’s shot away from goal.

Then, on 36 minutes and against the run of play, the Bees went in front when a ball in the Bees’ penalty area was hacked into the Braintree half to Telford, who then played a short pass to Ryan Glover. He found Callum Stead who ran towards goal, brushing off a defender before finding the bottom of the net.

However, the lead lasted only six minutes as the Iron deservingly drew level when Kyrell Lisbie’s shot nestled into the corner of the net.

The beginning of the second half saw the Iron, and especially the Lisbie brothers, continuing to unsettle the Bees’ backline as the Essex side showed strong attacking instincts.

Indecision by Danny Collinge seven minutes into the second half allowed Kyreece Leslie a run at goal but his shot just flashed wide of the far post, and the same player had another sight at goal soon after but was again unable to finish.

The Bees made changes to their personnel but this seemed to fire up the home side with both Akinde & Kyrell Lisbie being allowed more space to move forward.

Glover did head over with 20 minutes to go in one of the few chances the visitors had on the home goal.

But then with the clock ticking towards the 90-minute mark, the big busting Akinde took advantage of Joe Grimwood’s inability to deal with a high ball, the defender brought him down in the area with a penalty given and, as further punishment for the defender (who had only been on the pitch a mere 8 minutes), a straight red card.

Akinde dusted himself down & blasted the spot kick home to give the Iron the three points and certain safety from relegation.

For the Bees, their lead at the top has now being reduced to eight points, but they are still in the driving seat for a return to the EFL.

It’s derby time this coming Saturday as the Bees host Wealdstone in a lunchtime kick off.

Team: Evans, Collinge, Oluwo (Coker 57), Taveres (Grimwood 82), Kenlock, Glover, Hartigan, Brunt (Shelton 75), Stead, Telford (Glifford 46), Chapman (Browne 57)

Subs: Bellagambi, Cropper

Attendance 1726 (874 away fans)

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