Pre-Season Round Up

Barnet's first pre-season game was at Clarence Park against St. Albans City from the Blue Square South. A full first team, minus the injured Ismail Yakubu, played the first half before a second half side of mainly trialists played in the second half. A superb left foot strike from about 25 yards by former Crystal Palace player, Ryan Hall gave the Bees a 1-0 win. Unfortunately, the impressive Hall was injured soon after scoring and missed all the remaining pre-season games.

Next up was the annual home friendly against Arsenal. A superb free kick by Kenny Gillet gave the Bees a half time lead, before Arsenal hit back in the second half to win 2-1,though only after the trialists and youngsters came on for Barnet.

In midweek, Barnet travelled to Ryman League, Harlow Town and won 4-1 with goals from Adam Birchall, Albert Adomah, Luke Medley and a rocket from Danny Hart. There was a first appearance from soon to sign, Nicky Deverdics, the former Gretna midfield player. This was followed by a poor performance at Northwood with the Bees losing 3-1 with a defence of trialists. Luke Medley scored from the penalty spot for Barnet.

On the Saturday, Barnet hosted Leeds United and went down 2-0, Deverdics making his first start after signing for the club in midweek. He gave an impressive performance for the Bees. French central defender, Jeremy De Magalhaes who played against Northwood and Leeds was offered a contract but turned it down.

In midweek, Barnet played two more Ryman League teams. First up was a borough derby with Wingate & Finchley which ended in a 1-1 draw, Barnet playing a mostly trialist side which included another former Gretna player, left sided defender, Rhys Meynell. Issa Tall, a midfield player from Strasbourg scored for the Bees.

At Harrow Borough, the Bees played their first team and won 4-2with goals from Kieron St. Amie, Neal Bishop and two from Luke Medley.

Last Saturday, Barnet won an entertaining match at home to Watford, 3-2. The Bees playing some fine football went ahead shortly before half time with a goal from Adam Birchall. He fired home after being put through by a long ball out of defence by Joe Devera. Barnet, playing their possible starting line up for the league kick off on Saturday, thoroughly deserved their 1-0 half time lead after outplaying their Championship opponents. The second half saw the usual level of substitutions in pre-season friendlies, but it didn't stop the Bees going 2-0 up early on in the second half. A clever free kick routine caused Watford a lot of confusion and Adam Birchall was able to run free to cross for French trialist, Karim Rouani to bundle the ball home.

Watford pulled one back but Luke Medley beat the offside trap to take a through ball from Joe Tabiri and round the Watford keeper and slide home the third for Barnet and his 5^th pre-season goal. Though Watford pulled a second goal back, the Bees held on for a deserved victory.