A Jason Puncheon hat trick gave the Bees their first home league victory since early October and despite being down to ten men for the entire second half a convincing all round display meant that the three points were well deserved.
Joe O'Cearuill was missing through suspension, his place at centre back was filled by switching the usual right back Joe Devera into the heart of the defence, Puncheon changed wings, today largely operating down the right, with his left wing spot being filled by Nicky Nicolau. Ashley Carew dropped down to the bench.
Paul Benson for the Daggers was the first to produce a shot on target, but his effort on 3 minutes did not test the Bees keeper Lee Harrison and moments later Puncheon put his shot well wide of the goal, but he was to sharpen the focus of his shooting as the game progressed.
The home side created numerous opportunities to forge ahead in the first half, Liam Hatch, Michael Leary and inevitably Puncheon going close, but it was not until 5 minutes before the end of the half that the Bees took the lead.
Puncheon was leading the Daggers left back a merry dance and in frustration Marlon Patterson took the Bee's wingers legs from under him with referee Paul Taylor immediately pointing to the spot. Puncheon dusted himself down and duly converted the kick.
Benson had a couple of opportunities to level the scores when well placed. One he header over, the other he headed against the woodwork, Shane Huke really should have done better from the rebound.
In the time added on at the end of the half skipper Ismail Yakubu was shown a red card following two yellow card offences for two poorly timed challenges. For the second half Bees boss Paul Fairclough bravely kept his two strikers up top, a decision that paid dividends since Barnet could formulate attacks and the ball was not constantly play up the pitch only for it to be returned swiftly.
Dagenham, with their direct style could not vary their play to take advantage of their numerical superiority and Barnet made light of the fact that they were out numerated with a display full of skill, pride and endeavour.
Early in the second period a move between Hatch and Adam Birchall set Puncheon free on the right. He waltzed around the dazed Daggers defenders to slot home his second of the match.
In Benson and Jon Nurse Dagenham had forwards who needed to be constantly watched, but with the make shift centre back pairing of Devera and Kenny Gillet performing to such a high level it would need something special for the Daggers to force their way back into this game.
Something special was to come along when Puncheon completed his hat trick with another pile driver, and although Huke did grab a late consolation goal, and spoil the clean sheet, the Bees were convincing winners of this London derby fixture.
The task ahead for the Bees is to continue the momentum against Chesterfield at home on Saturday, a tough fixture that presents the Bees with an opportunity to record their first 'double' of the season, although naturally the Spireites will have other ideas.
David Bloomfield.
