Barnet won their first pre season match of the season courtesy of a stunning 64th minute 25 yard volley by trialist Ryan Hall against St Albans at Clarence Park tonight. Both sides were finding their feet and as Paul Fairclough was to say post match the game "served to get the players used to the ball again in the tempo of a match situation".

Hall took the No. 11 shirt and displayed Puncheonesque tendencies out on the left wing. Composed on the ball, he had only joined the fray in the second half as Bees boss Paul Fairclough rang the changes and put out an entirely different XI after the break. Sadly moments after his cleanly struck shot Hall needed to be assisted off the pitch, the fear being that he has damaged his medial ligaments.

Barnet started with a strong looking line up in the first period, with Player of The Year Joe Devera captaining the side and he looked his usual calm assured self at the heart of defence.
In central midfield Max Porter put in a good shift. His passing was good and his energy levels high. He was also recalled to the side in the second half following the injury to Hall and took up a position on the right of midfield.

Danny Hart was given the armband in the second half and was the only outfield player who started this half for the Bees who has had first team experience with Barnet. He looked dangerous on whatever wing he found himself and made a number of surging runs with the ball.

In the second period Luke Medley partnered first year professional Elliot Charles up front for Barnet and gave the Bees a very physical presence, which was allied to no little pace.

This was a game that in truth was only mildly eventful, its purpose was to get the players legs moving in a match context and in that regard it was mission accomplished.

First Half 4-4-2
Beckwith
Carew Leary Devera Gillet
Adomah Porter Bishop St Aimie
Akurang Birchall

Second Half 4-4-2
Harrison
Tabiri Alowisi Swabie O'Toole
Hart Cochrane McKoy Hall (Porter)
Medley Charles

David Bloomfield