Barnet opened the new season and the Lawrie Sanchez era with a trip to Morecambe. The Bees had three players making their league debuts; goalkeeper, Dean Brill, signed fromOldham, former Wycombe and Bristol Rovers right back, Danny Senda and Welsh international striker, Jason Price. Defenders Daniel Leach and Darren Dennehy and striker, Steve Kabba were all missing from the squad as was the other main summer signing, Ryan Watts.
Barnet had much of the early play and Mark Byrne and Anwar Uddin both came close for the Bees who gave a good account of themselves during the half with Sam Deering, Mark Marshall and Byrne again having efforts at goal. Mark Hughes, wearing the captain’s armband, curled a shot just inches wide of the post. Two Morecambe players, Fleming and McCready received yellow cards as the half ended with the match still goalless.
HT: Shrimps 0 Bees 0
Morecambe came more into the game in the second half though Izale McLeod and Deering had attempts at goal, but with just under a quarter of an hour remaining, Mark BYRNE put the Bees ahead with a long range shot into the top right hand corner. Despite pressure from the home side, the Bees held on for their first opening day win since beating Forest Green Rovers in 2004. Next up, Pompey on Tuesday in the Carling Cup.
Barnet: Brill; Senda, Uddin, Kamdjo, Parkes; Deering, Hughes, Byrne (Fraser 92), Marshall (Holmes 76); Price, McLeod (Taylor 81).
Subs: O’Brien, Cox, Fraser, Taylor, Holmes.
Att: 1874