Mark Marshall started on the bench for the Bees, whilst captain, Mark Hughes once again started the match at right back, just as he did on Tuesday night against Southend.
It didn’t take long for the first of the nine goals to find the way into the back of the net, and it was indeed the away side, who scored it. Cleveland Taylor played a simple, low ball across the edge of the area, which was left for Billy Key to produce a good finish which left Liam O’Brien with no chance.
Barnet almost responded to that disappointing start five minutes later, after a hopeful, high ball from Clovis Kamdjo found Steve Kabba whose shot needed a brilliant save from Ross Atkins to deny the former Brewer.
But Burton kept on their attacking display, and from an Adam Bolder cross, Calvin Zola fired over the top from point blank range. But they didn’t have to wait much longer to double the lead, as on 31 minutes, Kee added his second from a brilliant solo run which the former Torquay striker concluded by curling a brilliant shot into the top corner of the net.
On 36 minutes, Bees top scorer Izale Mcleod was put clean through on goal by a long punt my Anwar Uddin, but yet again, Ross Atkins was there to provide a brilliant save from a clear goal scoring opportunity.
To shake things up and try to get back in the game, Mark Marshall was introduced with seven minutes still to of the first half, replacing Daniel Leech, who stormed off, straight down the tunnel.
The switch to the 4-4-2 formation seemed to do Barnet some good, and moments after the substitution, Mark Byrne was on hand to thread the ball throughBurton’s shaky defence to Izale McLeod, who calmly lifted the ball over the goalkeeper into the net.
The game had by this point, become incredibly open, and on 41 minutes, Zola had a decent shot saved by O’Brien, whilst at the opposite end, Steve Kabba, who scored 4 at the Pirelli Stadium in April against Burton for Barnet, twisted and turned in the penalty area before producing a low shot which hit the base of the post.
As the teams went into the interval at 1-2, no one could have predicted the final score line. The first half ended in a frantic, open manner, and straight from kick off in the second half, Cleveland Taylor dragged a shot wide from the edge of the penalty area. Moments later, Calvin Zola had an equally as good opportunity, half volleying wide from a Kee cross.
On 55 minutes, highly rated Bees forward Ricky Holmes got on the score sheet, producing a brilliant show with his outside of his foot which sailed into the far corner, after he was set free by Sam Deering. It seemed as though there was only going to be one side to go on to win the game, and that was Barnet. But it wasn’t to be, andBurtoncontinued to make chances out of nowhere.
Firstly, a Taylor free kick was headed over by Aaron Webster, beforeTaylorhad a go himself from another free kick, which was this time tipped over by Bees keeper O’Brien.
It was eventually calamitous Barnet defending which allowedBurtonto restore their lead. Hesitant defending from Garry Borrowdale, along with slow reactions from O’Brien allowedTayloragain to nip in, who laid the ball on a plate for Billy Kee to smash home his hat trick goal.
Although Barnet, and most noticeably Steve Kabba, had a couple of chances, Adi Yussuf, and Jack Dyer gotBurton’s fourth and fifth goals respectively.
On 88 minutes, Sam Deering scored a consolation for Barnet from a goal moth scramble. Mark Marshall perhaps should have reduced the deficit even further into injury time, butBurtonand Calvin Zola scored their sixth and that was the end of that.
Speculation is rife regarding Lawrie Sanchez’s Barnet future, but with or without him, the Bees travel to AFC Wimbledon next Saturday, hoping to bounce back from their recent dreadful form.
Man of the Match: Billy Kee
Bees Man of the Match: Ricky Holmes