Barnet midfielder Keanu Marsh Brown admitted that it was good to be back on Saturday, as the Bees kicked off their pre-season campaign with a narrow defeat to League One side Peterborough United.

“It felt great to get back on the pitch. I thought all of the boys played really well against Peterborough, we put in a good performance and were a little unlucky not to get a result but the main thing is about building up our fitness and playing to our strengths.

“It’s a week into pre-season, we’ve all been working hard and I thought that everyone looked strong on the pitch so we should be flying once the season comes around.”

Marsh-Brown was part of a Barnet XI that created numerous chances against the Posh during the first half without managing to score, but feels that it is just a matter of time before the goals start to flow:

“A few of us got into some great positions, it’s just that little bit of sharpness that maybe needs to come but that is what pre-season is for. Once we get a bit more match practice and get into the new season I don’t think we’ll have any problems.”

Saturday also gave the Barnet players their first chance to link up with some new faces that have joined the squad during the summer, something which Marsh-Brown clearly enjoyed:

“We’ve brought in some great players. Everyone is comfortable in the team and everybody has made the new boys feel welcome, we’re like a big family.

“People like Gavin [Mahon] have done really well since they have come in and it is great to have two experienced strikers in John [Akinde] and Charlie [MacDonald] up front.”

All of Barnet’s players only featured for a half each against Peterborough as manager Martin Allen looked to ease his side back into the swing of things, and Marsh-Brown admits that he is looking forward to preparations stepping up a gear starting with the visit of Stevenage to The Hive on Tuesday night:

“Once you get back playing it is frustrating to only play 45 minutes because you obviously want to play more and more, but as the weeks go on then we’ll see players getting more minutes under their belt. 

“Stevenage are a strong side so it should be tough, but these games are a great test to be playing against teams from higher leagues, both individually as players and for the club as a whole. If we can keep putting in some good performances and get a few results then we’ll be in great shape going into the Conference season.”