Barnet ran out convincing 3-1 winners against Chester City at Underhill today with all the goals, and most of the action, coming in the second half.
John O'Flynn took his total for the season to 14 with a brace and his strike partner Paul Furlong was also on the scoresheet.
Barnet were unchanged from the starting line up against Rochdale in midweek, the exception being a debut being given to goalkeeper Jake Cole, who was signed on Friday on loan from QPR. Cole made a confident start as a Bee, his handling was good, his kicking excellent and he made a favourable all-round impression.
In the first half both teams had some difficulty imposing themselves on the game, Chester were set up with a 5-4-1 formation, its ambition being only marginally above damage limitation. It was clear that that were intent on a draw, with the outside chance of snatching something on the break.
Their lively lone striker Ryan Lowe nearly did just that on ten minutes when his shot from the edge of the box thumped against the crossbar.
The first half was without a great deal of cohesive play as Chester were content to strangle and delay the match at every opportunity.
The Seals keeper John Danby was taking so much time to restart the game that Ian Hendon had ball-boys stationed behind his goal to assist the Chester keeper collect the ball when it went wide of the goal!
Clearly a motivational talk was delivered at half time since the second half display was much improved. The Bees did not hit the heights they have in recent matches but once they upped the ante in the second period Chester found it hard going.
In the 51st minute Neal Bishop went on a surging run from midfield until Jay Harris crudely curtailed his progress on the edge of the penalty box, for which he was cautioned. O'Flynn stepped up and his free kick was up and over the wall and into the net leaving Danby static. It was Ronaldoesque.
Just seven minutes later Chester drew level when Kevin Ellison latched onto a through ball in the inside left position and finished confidently.
The Bees soon bounced back and in the 69th minute, from a terrific cross from out wide on the left by Yannick Bolasie, Furlong was impeded and a spot kick awarded; O'Flynn converting.
Five minutes later the contest was over when Furlong with a diving header saw the ball cross the line following Adomah's delivery back into the middle.
Barnet were now able to put the game in cruise control mode as there was no way back for the visitors. Ian Hendon then chose to give Cliff Akurang, Adam Birchall and Kenny Gillet some valuable first team match minutes when he extracted Furlong, Adomah and Lockwood from the fray.
In the final moments the Chester left back, Laurence Wilson hit an excellent volley from 30 yards that Cole did well to get his hands to and push the effort upwards and against the cross bar. Chester did hit the woodwork twice today, but don't let anyone tell you that Chester were unlucky, Barnet were the worthy winners.
The Bees next fixture is against the Bees of Griffin Park on Tuesday.
David Bloomfield.
