Nick Sandamas on a month of inconsistency for Barnet FC

Footballers from Barnet FC and Hemel Hempstead taking part in a pre-season friendly — The Bees take on Hemel Hempstead during pre-season (Credit – Nick Sandmas)

Since my last update on the Bees, it has been a bit of a mixed bag of results.

Home form has been an ongoing concern whilst performances on the road have been the complete opposite.

There was joy at the County Ground, Swindon where Barnet racked up their first league win since returning to the EFL, with two late goals from new signings Emanuel Osadebe and Dennis Adeniran securing a 2-0 win over the Wiltshire side.

That was followed by another win on the road, Ollie Hawkins’ goal on the hour mark securing a single goal success against Cheltenham despite losing Osadebe to a red card.

The following week saw Danny Collinge strike a late goal to secure a home point against Colchester.

Next came a trip to League One Luton Town in the Vertu Trophy: a night to forget as the Hatters put in a dominant performance to win 4-1. They raced into a three-goal half-time lead, adding a fourth late on with a Adam Senior strike a mere consolation for the Bees.

Winless Shrewsbury were next up and, despite Barnet taking an early lead through Mark Shelton, the Shrews struck three times before half time to lead 3-1 and that was how it stayed. Assistant boss Connor Smith described the performance afterwards as the worst he’d seen from a Bees team.

However, the team responded the following week with a 2-1 win on the road at Crewe to maintain their good recent away run.

Keeper Ciaran Slicker was the hero with two penalty saves when the score was 1-1.

Lee Ndlovu equalised within minutes of going behind. Ryan Glover scored the winner with ten minutes to go.

The Bees followed this win by finally breaking their home duck with a clean sheet and three points against Grimsby Town.” after “the winner with ten minutes to go.

October sees Accrington Stanley, Notts County, Cambridge United (in the Vertu Trophy) visit The Hive along with long journeys to Tranmere (who the Bees will meet for the first time) and Barrow (who they encounter for the first time in the league).

As we went to press, Barnet were in a midtable spot after nine games played. Based on the results so far, we’re playing far better away from home.

Hopefully by the time you read this, we will have achieved a few more home wins to add to our impressive away form.

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