Late goal defeats Bees

Nick Sandamas sees Barnet FC slip to a pre-season defeat against Oxford United

Footballers in front of a large stand — Barnet take on Oxford at The Hive (Credit – Nick Sandasmas)

Former Barnet loanee Gatlin O’Donkor struck a late goal to hand his Oxford United side victory over Barnet in front of the sunshine on what was community day at The Hive.

The game started at a fast pace and, with the game only 2 minutes old, the U’s took the lead when a ball over the top of the Bees’ defence found Stanley Mills with a clear run on goal and he made no mistake as he slotted the ball low past shot-stopper Taye Ashby-Hammond.

It took until just after the half hour mark for the Bees to have a sighter at goal and the result wasa great one handed save by keeper Simon Eastwood to deny new loan signing from Lincoln, Osisin Gallagher.

Eastwood was at it again minutes later, getting down low to thwart danger man Kabongo Tshimanga and prevent a certain leveller.

Next to try his luck was Idris Kanu, but his attempted curler sailed wide of the far post.

U’s boss Aaron Ramsey made a number of changes for the start of the second half with the Bees making just the one change, Zac Williams on to replace Nik Taveras in central defence.

And it was the home side who scored to draw level on 53 minutes when Gallagher threaded the ball from the byline towards the far post and the stretching Adam Senior was there to thrash the ball into the net.

Soon after, Ashby-Hammond pulled off two saves in quick succession to prevent the U’s from retaking the lead.

First he got down low to save from Aidomo Abraham-Emaku and then, seconds later, beat away Leo Snowden’s shot.

The changes on the pitch occurred soon after for the Bees with four players coming off the bench and one of those, Tom Knowles, did come close but could only place his shot wide.

Then, with three minutes left, the U’s snatched it when Reuben Roosken played the ball across the six yard box to O’Donkor who, despite having a couple of players in front of him, managed to get his foot to the ball first and sweep it into the net.

There was still time for Eastwood to foil Tshimanga for a second time, sticking out a leg to deny the striker a goal.

A first pre-season defeat for the Bees but again a positive performance against a decent League One outfit.

Two more friendlies remain against MK Dons and Bromley before the real slog gets underway on Saturday, 8th August with a trip to face Cambridge United in the Carabao Cup.

Team: Ashby-Hammond, Collinge, Tavares (Williams 46) Kenlock, Senior, Ofoborh (Knowles 63) Gallagher (Maskell 63) Kanu (Smith 72) Noel-Williams (Wright 70) Lakin, Tshimanga.

Subs not used: Siaw, Crichlow, Farquhar

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