So here we were at last!!! The first competitive game at Barnet’s new ground, the Hive, complete with £5 souvenir programme and a lack of information outside the ground with resulting confusion and queues. But still it mustn’t be denied there was a lot of excitement amongst the Bees’ fans about this new beginning in the club’s history. As someone who used to walk to home games at Underhill and now faced a 3 hour round trip to home games, it will take time to get used to seeing the Hive as home but there is no doubt that it looked good in the sunshine today with a good crowd and lively away fans and a lovely looking pitch.
Many fans, already upset about relegation last season were expecting Edgar Davids to go and also feared the loss of key players such as David Stephens, Luke Gambin and Jake Hyde but in the end it was only Ricky Holmes’ departure that was seen as a rreal loss to the club and Ricky had missed a lot of last season in truth.
So it was that there was only one new name in the starting line up, that of Spanish midfield player, Roberto Casabella, who had signed for the club after impressing in pre-season friendlies. England ‘C’ international central defender, Anthony Acheampong missed out through injury, but new signings, Luisma Villa and Marciano Mengerink were on the bench along with even more recent signing, Nicky Jupp as cover for Graham Stack. There was no news or sign of Claudio Vilcu who has reported to have signed for the club. There was also no place in the starting line up for Davids, but he was there on the bench in his role as Head Coach.
The Bees started with four at the back, three in midfield and two wide players with only Jake Hyde up front. Both full backs pushed up whenever possible too. The first half was a pretty tight affair with few chances at either end. Chester looked to be a strong, capable outfit who pushed up well and caused problems for the Bees’ defence and came close a couple of times with half chances while the home side had a couple of chances of their own. A fine move early on saw Keanu Marsh-Brown create a chance for Curtis Weston but he blasted well over. Elliot Johnson hit a fine drive just wide of the post and Jake Hyde scuffed a shot wide while Marsh-Brown, who was causing the visitors a lot of trouble, saw his shot blocked. The first half ended goalless and, in truth, Chester may have just shaded it.
HT: Barnet 0 Chester 0
The Bees did not have to wait long in the second half to take the lead; I fact just 46 seconds. The ball was played into the penalty area by Mark Byrne towards Jake Hyde who saw it deflect to Luke GAMBIN who coolly slotted it home past the Chester keeper to put the Bees ahead. It was also the first ever senior competitive goal at the Hive.
Instead of giving the home side confidence, however, the Bees had a somewhat jittery spell after the goal and almost conceded their lead but Graham Stack managed to claw the ball on the line to prevent a Chester equaliser.
Just before the hour, Barnet went two goals up following a superb pass down the line by the impressive, Roberto Casabella, to find Byrne who provided a fine cross for Jake HYDE to slot home from close range.
Soon after, Keanu Marsh-Brown went down under a challenge in the penalty area but was adjudged to have dived and was booked. Not long after he was replaced by Luisma Villa and the Spaniard, making his debut, played an excellent ball through on 73 minutes for Jake HYDE to steer home for the Bees’ 3rd goal, despite desperate efforts by a Chester defender to clear.
Gambin and Hyde were replaced by Mengerink, also making his debut, and Harry Crawford. Andy Yiadom had to clear off the line to prevent Chester getting a goal back, but the Bees’ ran out comfortable winners in their opening match of a new season and it a suitable ending for the first competitive game at the Hive. Hopefully, the first of many victories this season for the Bees. After a tight first half, Barnet were much the better side against a club fancied by many to be play-off contenders. The second half performance suggested that the play-offs should be the least of ambitions for Edgar Davids and his Barnet squad.
FT: Barnet 3 Chester 0
Barnet Mad Bees’ Player of the Match: Roberto Casabella
Barnet: Stack; Yiadom, Stephens, Saville, Johnson; Marsh-Brown (Luisma Villa 68), Weston, Roberto Casabella, Byrne, Gambin (Mengerink 77); Hyde (Crawford 83)
Subs Not Used: Jupp, Vilhete.
Att: 2543