Barnet came back from a one goal first-half deficit at Sixfields to romp to the top of League 2 on Friday night by inflicting a 3-1 defeat on Northampton Town. Second half goals, all in front of a large contingent of travelling Bees from Ahmed Deen, Paul Furlong and John O'Flynn did the damage. And Barnet have now won their last five matches, conceeding just one goal in the process.
Manager Ian Hendon made four changes to the starting line from the team that had defeated Millwall in the JPT just 72 hours previously. Ryan O'Neill, Micah Hyde and Jake Hyde returning, replacing Joe Devera, Nicky Deverdics and O'Flynn with Yannick Bolasie starting in preference to Albert Jarrett on the left wing.
Barnet were unlucky in the 13th minute when a cross into the box, destined for Jake Hyde, saw the inform striker, seemingly impeded with the Bees being denied a penalty.
Somewhat against the run of play the home side took the lead when Clovis Kamdjo and Deen jointly challenged Ben Marshall out on the Northampton right. The ball bounced kindly for Marshall who advanced goalwards, Deen had got back to make a challenge only to be rewarded when he deflected Marshall's effort past Jake Cole.
Barnet almost drew level as half-time approached when a Bolasie header at the far post, again from an Adomah cross, flashed past a post.
Invigorated by a half-time slice of orange, or whatever Ian Hendon is dispensing during the interval, Barnet totally dominated the second period, moving the ball quickly, scoring freely and pulverising the Cobblers into submission.
Within six minutes of the half the Bees were level. A freekick for a foul on Mark Hughes was tucked into the corner by the deft left foot of full back Deen. A fine way to celebrate signing a two year deal in midweek.
The Bees were now on the offensive, but Cole in goal was called upon on occasions and he and his defence needed to be diligent about their tasks when the home side did manage to construct attacks of their own.
Exactly midway through the second half a delightful delivery into the danger zone by substitute Jarrett was met and timed to perfection by Paul Furlong whose lob shot/volley deceived Chris Dunn, the hapless Cobblers keeper, and the Bees had the lead.
Four minutes later the game was over as a contest when substitute O'Flynn latched onto a slack back pass by Dean Beckwith, and confidently poked the ball between the keeper 's legs and the post making it 3-1. The scoreline being a cue for much jumping up and down on and off the pitch.
A BBC unit was at the game last night and the feature should make fine viewing on this Saturday night's Football League review programme at 11.15am.
The Bees travel to Macclesfield next Saturday.
David Bloomfield.
