Nick Sandamas sees the Bees secure a long-awaited home win

Barnet FC playing Wealdstone in a National League match — The Bees taking on Wealdstone at The Hive last season (Credit – Nick Sandamas)

A brace from Nmandi Ofoborh and another goal from Lee Ndlovu handed the Bees a very welcome three points against the Mariners in a vintage display as they also celebrated their first win in front of their own fans this season.

The Bees, hoping to follow up last week’s win at Crewe, started well an early chance for Kane Smith which was deflected behind for a corner.

Twenty minutes in and Idris Kanu floated in a decent cross to Ryan Glover, who was waiting at the back stick but could only guide his header into the side netting.

Ndlovu was next to try his luck, but Christy Pym in the Mariners goal got down well to stop the striker’s shot.

Half an hour was played before the Carabao Cup giantkillers created their first opportunity but Jamie Walker rushed his shot and the ball ended up close to the car park.

With three minutes to go to half time, the Bees’ persistence paid off.

Mark Shelton’s corner went over everyone’s head and landed at the feet of Ofoborh, whose shot took a bounce before somehow ending up into the back of the net.

Ndlovu had a chance to double the Bees’ lead before half time but his shot trickled just wide of the far post.

Within minutes of the restart, Glover once again made a nuisance of himself, with his header just going past the post.

Kanu made a great run just past the hour, but was unlucky, his low shot just drifting wide.

Then a moment of madness in the Mariners’ defence on 64 minutes handed the Bees their second goal. As they tried to play the ball out of defence, Kanu hurried into a a mistake and took full advantage, playing the ball into the path of Ndlovu who slotted the ball into the empty net.

The Mariners made a double substitution in an attempt to get back into the contest, but it was in vain as the Bees scored goal number three to finally blow the Mariners away.

Ofoborh produced a moment of brilliance: a ripper of a shot which curled into the bottom corner from all of 25 yards to all but confirm the three points for the now thirteen-placed Bees.

With the win more or less done and dusted, Dean Brennan made changes from the bench including introducing on-loan Chelsea midfielder Ronnie Stutter who showed some good flashes to give a hint as to why Deano bought him in.

The Bees are back on the road next Saturday, a lunchtime meeting with Oldham Athletic with the Bees looking to continue their recent upturn in form.

Team: Slicker, Collinge, Senior, Tavares, Smith (Galvin 80), Kanu, Shelton (Adeniran 85), Ofoborh, Stead (Stutter 80), Ndlovu (Hawkins 80), Glover (Osadebe 77)

Subs not used: Evans, Hartigan

Attendance 3270 (1275 away fans)

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