Good start for the Bees

Promotion-chasing Barnet FC have been quick out of the League Two blocks this season reports Nick Sandamas

Board outside Cambridge United's Abbey Stadium advertising the Carabao Cup match against Barnet — The Abbey Stadium in Cambridge – (Credit – Nick Sandamas)

Last season, an excellent run of eight wins from the final nine games unfortunately wasn’t quite enough to propel the Bees into the play-offs.

With a good close season of recruitment and a fairly good pre-season campaign behind them, the Bees’ first competitive match of the season was a Carabao Cup tie against League One Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium and, despite a decent performance, Dean Brennan’s new look side lost 2-1.

Kabongo Tshimanga gave the Bees the lead early in the second half but two quickfire goals in the space of ten minutes meant an early exit for the black and amber.

Next up for the pre-season promotion favourites was Salford City in the opening League Two game of the season.

The Bees put on a show for their fans as goals from new signings Oisin Callagher and Charlie Lakin, and the ever dependable Tshimanga, secured a 3-1 win which also secured a first-ever victory over the Ammies at the fifth attempt.

Then an Arsenal U21 side arrived at The Hive on a Tuesday night for the opening EFL Trophy group game.

Despite making ten changes from the Salford match, Barnet ran amok against the young Gunners, running out 5-1 winners.

Again it was the new signings on the scoresheet as Tom Knowles fired a hat-trick with the other goals coming from Jack Maskell and academy product Bright Siaw.

Next it was the long journey to face Shrewsbury Town and it was a great afternoon as the Bees left Shropshire with all three points in another 3-1 win.

Experienced midfielder Jake Reeves (who had only arrived at the club on a season-long loan from AFC Wimbledon 48 hours earlier) opened the scoring in the 13th minute.

Josh Davison levelled matters for the Shrews before half time following a goalkeeping howler by Matt Cox, but goals in the last ten minutes from Lakin and Knowles put the Bees on top of the early table and also secure their seventh league win on the spin dating back to last season (a club record in the league).

On Saturday, Barnet face Cheltenham Town in a lunchtime kick-off where they hoped another good result would see them maintain their perfect start.

September sees the men in black and amber face away trips to Exeter City, Chesterfield and Crawley Town with home games against Accrington Stanley and Fleetwood Town.

Following such a strong start, hopes are high that the Bees will be in the promotion picture next May.

Local news needs your support

We are proud that we were at the forefront of reporting on the recent local elections. We can’t do this without the support of our readers.

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

ACT NOW!

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else. £84 annual supporters get a print copy by post and a digital copy of each month's before anyone else.