Bondz N’Gala admitted it was important for Barnet to get back to winning ways on Saturday with a 1-0 win at Mansfield Town.
The Bees were left frustrated last weekend when their game at Newport County was abandoned at half-time with Martin Allen’s men in front.
Prior to that Barnet were beaten 1-0 at home by Carlisle United, a rare blip in an otherwise encouraging start to the new EFL League Two campaign.
And, speaking after John Akinde secured Barnet’s second win of the season, N’Gala outlined the importance of victory over the Stags.
"It was really important to get back to winning ways after the disappointment of the Newport County game being abandoned at half time," N’Gala said.Â
"We knew we needed to kick-start our season with another win and get back to winning ways. It was a good disciplined away performance and it is always lovely to get a clean sheet.Â
"Mansfield are a team that are doing quite well at the moment. They were fifth before the game started so we always knew it was going to be a tough test and we would have to be on top of our game to get some points out of it."
Striker Shaun Batt was handed his first league start of the season — and his first since February — while the versatile Mauro Vilhete retained his place at right-back having returned to the side at MK Dons in the Checkatrade Trophy.
And both players impressed N’Gala, who said: "Shaun Batt and Mauro Vilhete are both lads who have been training hard and we have seen them train well. So it was good to see them come into the team and do as well as they did."
N’Gala has started alongside skipper Michael Nelson in Barnet’s last three games, including the postponement at Newport, and the former West Ham United defender says he is enjoying playing alongside the experienced centre-half.
"Nelse is an experienced campaigner and a really good person to learn from because he has so much experience," said N’Gala. "He is a good person too and it is always lovely to play alongside him."
Next up for the Bees is a visit from Colchester United next Saturday. The U’s were relegated from League One last season but have started well under John McGreal this term and occupy a play-off spot.
For that reason N’Gala anticipates a stern examination, but is confident of another positive result for Barnet.
"We expect another tough test against Colchester United because there is no easy game in this league," said N’Gala. "They are a good side who have just come down from League One but we fancy ourselves against anyone."