STILL IN SEARCH OF VICTORY
Barnet are still in search for their first victory of the season. Two controversial penalties in the second half for Brentford tipped the balance in favour of the home side. Jason Puncheon, with his third goal of the season, a cracking drive from distance, was not enough to earn even a point.
After only 4 minutes Anthony Thomas saw his crisp shot from outside the box flash wide. Brentford keeper Ben Hamer either judged it expertly or was rooted to the spot as the ball careered goal wards.
In the 13th minute an industrial challenge by the Brentford skipper John Mackie on Michael Leary soon resulted in the Barnet midfielder needing to be replaced. Surprisingly the foul did not attract a yellow card.
The Barnet right back and Assistant Manager Ian Hendon was marshalling the defence with some aplomb and for much of the first half the home fans had little to shout about as the away team took the sting out their play.
On 20 minutes Lee Thorpe threatened the Barnet goal when well placed, but headed over from a corner and in the warm sunshine the players took advantage of any break in play to take water breaks.
Charlie Ide brought out a great save from the Barnet keeper Lee Harrison when in the 38th he found himself unmarked inside the box but his effort failed to break the deadlock.
In time added on in the first half a lunging challenge by Thorpe on Barnet midfielder Max Porter, on the half way line, prompted Referee Melin to show the Brentford debutant striker the red card.
Barnet needed to reassemble their troops again early in the second half when centre back Sagi Burton could not continue. Signed the previous day Joe O'Cearuill replaced Burton at the heart of the Barnet defence.
Seconds later Ide advanced on the Barnet defence, propelled himself into the penalty area and after seemingly losing his footing the referee awarded a spot kick which Kevin O'Connor confidently dispatched. The referee, intriguingly, subsequently revealed that he was unable to identify any particular Barnet player as the culprit.
On 61 minutes Barnet drew level with a strike from distance by Puncheon that was past keeper Hamer before he could blink. Moments later Danny Hart had a chance for Barnet to take the lead but he side footed wide when well positioned.
In the 69th minute Brentford's Ryan Peters got the better of Angus with the Barnet defender being deemed guilty of denying a goalscoring opportunity and received the second red card of the game. Salt was rubbed into this wound when the Referee's Assistant was of the opinion that the incident was inside the box.
Harrison performed heroics to save O'Connor's effort, but Brentford's Mousinho reacted quicker than any Barnet player and slotted the rebound home from close range to give the home side the lead.
Manager Paul Fairclough was seen urging his team forward from the sidelines and added substitute striker Liam Hatch to the fray in an attempt to salvage a point but the home side held out for the first victory of their campaign.
Barnet will now need to lick their wounds, regroup and focus on the task of securing three points when Bradford City are the next visitors to Underhill.
David Bloomfield
Attendance: 4,744 (541)
