Nick Sandamas sees the Bees’ first game back in the Football League end in disappointment

Barnet FC taking AFC Fylde in the National League — The Bees in action in the National League last season (Credit – Nick Sandamas)

Barnet 0 Fleetwood Town 2

Barnet’s first game back in the EFL after a seven-year absence ended in defeat as Fleetwood Town left The Hive with all three points on the season’s opening day.

It was also the first time the Bees had lost a home game since April 2024, a run of 25 games.

They started with seven of last season’s title winners on the pitch, with summer signings Joe Hugill, Ollie Kensdale, Adam Senior & Ryan Galvin making their debuts and created the first chance on ten minutes when Idris Kanu saw his low shot easily gathered by Cod Army keeper Jay Lynch.

Then, three minutes later, Bees keeper Owen Evans hoisted a high kick straight into the path of Hugill, but his strong shot went into the gloves of Lynch.

Then, disaster struck the Bees on 22 minutes, when a moment of madness by Evans gifting the Lancashire side the opportunity to go ahead.

Evans (out of his area) was dispossessed by Will Davies who had the freedom of The Hive to slot the ball into an empty net and give the travelling Cod Army plenty to cheer about.

Evans made a smart save minutes later diving to his left to push a Mark Helm away from goal to keep his side down to one goal and the final meaningful action of the first half came when Senior could only place a header past the post.

The second half was only minutes old when Hugill had another chance but again, could only place the ball straight into Lynch’s arms.

However, the goal which would give the Cod Army a two-goal lead arrived in the 50th minute when Evans saved from Ryan Gordon but the rebound came out to Elliot Bonds on the edge of the area and he blasted the ball into the net to create clear daylight between the two side.

The Bees made three changes on the hour with one of the subs Dennis Adeniran forcing Lynch into a save to take the ball over the bar – and Danny Collinge was unlucky with an effort which struck the post as the game entered time added on.

So despite an encouraging start, the Bees were undone by a goalkeeping error and a second goal early in the second half which very much finished the game.

Food for thought for Dean Brennan’s side as they prepare to face Bromley next Saturday.

Team: Evans, Galvin (Smith 77), Collinge, Senior, Kensdale (High 50), Glover, Brunt (Adeniran 58), Hartigan, Browne (Hawkins 77), Hugill (Stead 58), Kanu

Not used: Wright, Shelton

Attendance 3709 (291 away)

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