The Bees recorded their first win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Morecambe. On target for the Bees with an early goal was the evergreen Paul Furlong and a late goal from the spot by new comer Albert Jarrett sealed the points.
Manager Ian Hendon was forced into making one change to his line-up; Mark Hughes was unable to continue in midfield and was replaced by Nicky Deverdics who partnered Micah Hyde.
In the first minute Ian Craney latched onto a header from Michael Twiss and the Morecambe No.13 was unlucky to see his shot cannon off the post. Seconds later the Bees took the lead.
Paul Furlong took full advantage of hesitation and confusion in the heart of the Shrimpers 5 man defence, won procession and thumped the ball into the net from close range for his first of the season. A shocking goal to concede, but credit to Furlong for being able to take advantage.
Midway through the first-half Deverdics fed the ball out wide on the left to Jarrett who skipped past a defender and then curled a peach of a cross onto the head of Jake Hyde whose effort was saved by Barry Roche when the Bee's marksman well positioned. It was clear that at any stage a second Barnet goal would seal the outcome of the points.
Barnet had much of the play in the first period but they needed to be alert when Phil Jevons had an effort that flashed just wide.
In the second period Craney and Stewart Drummond had a degree of influence in midfield as the visitors went in search of an equaliser, but Jake Cole was rarely called upon to excel himself.
In the 83rd minute Furlong found Jarrett with a pass out to the left flank who then made rapid progress into the penalty area before being felled to the floor. It was the least contested penalty in the history of the game.
After winning the penalty Jarrett took the spot kick and swept the ball into the net with some confidence.
Post match some discussion revolved around the quality of the game, but this pundit feels that the Bees fully deserved their three points and whilst Barnet did not resemble the Brazilians of 1970 there was a lot of guts and guile about their performance, albeit without hitting too many heights, that sets the season up nicely. And it took the Bees into 11th spot to boot.
David Bloomfield.
