Barnet came into this match in 4th position in the table after the somewhat disappointing 1-1 draw at home to NuneatonTown two days earlier. Roberta Casabella missed the match through injury and Harry Crawford came into the starting line up, having been on the bench for the previous four games and Jordan Brown replaced Elliot Johnson, a victim of flu, at left back for his first appearance of the new season. Ahmed Abdulla was named as one of the substitutes for his first appearance in a Bees’ team squad for the season. Luisma Villa was still out through injury. The match saw the first ever league meeting between the two clubs.
The game started in dramatic fashion with Braintree centre back, dean Wells being sent off for a poor two footed challenge on Mark Byrne. However, Braintree still pushed forward and Marks almost scored when a high bouncing ball eluded both David Stephens and Anthony Acheampong, but he headed just wide.
Harry Crawford came close to opening the scores with a superb shot from outside the penalty area but it hit the bar and was cleared. The same player then broke just after the half hour mark through into the penalty area only to be knocked over by defender, Alan Massey, who was also red carded and a penalty was awarded. However, Bees’ top scorer, Jake Hyde hit a very poor spot kick and McDonald saved easily and the game remained goalless at half time.
HT: Braintree 0 Bees 0
Barnet brought off Acheampong at half time and brought on Dutch striker, Marciano Mengerink and they broke the deadlock in the first minute of the second half following a high ball from Jordan Brown, Braintree failed to clear properly and Keanu MARSH-BROWN fired home from the right hand side of the box.
The Bees continued to dominate and Hyde and Byrne went close before the visitors increased their lead just after the hour when Mark BYRNE fired home a superb strike from at least 20 yards to make the score 2-0 to Barnet.
In the final minute, Jake HYDE made it 3-0 following some fine work by Mauro Vilhete, who had come on as a substitute for Marsh-Brown. The goal put the Bees on top of the Conference table on goal difference. This Saturday sees the Bees at home to another side who they have not met in the league before, Hyde FC.
Braintree 0 Barnet 3
Barnet: Stack; Yiadom, Stephens, Acheampong (Mengerink 46); Johnson; Marsh-Brown (Vilhete 80), Weston, Crawford 64, Byrne (Abdulla 76), Gambin Hyde.
Subs Not Used: Jupp, Saville.
Att: 1480