MATCH REPORT | GATESHEAD 2-1 BARNET FC

The Bees fell to a second defeat on the bounce away at play-off chasing Gateshead. 

 

Dean Brennan’s side attacked from the first whistle with The Bees having a series of chances in the opening seven minutes. The first came from Reece Hall-Johnson who narrowly hit the ball beyond the post. Moments after that Nicke Kabamba was denied by an excellent save from the Gateshead keeper. Anthony Hartigan then almost gave The Bees an early opener on his birthday but his strike came crashing off the post.

 

A corner found the head of Ade Oluwo who forced the Gateshead keeper into making another crucial save to keep the score level. Gateshead would go down the other end and force Josh Keeley into his first save of the afternoon.

 

Idris Kanu was the next player to go for goal for The Bees but his effort came off Nicke Kabamba. Oluwo would then be denied again by goalkeeping heroics.

 

The breakthrough finally came on the half hour mark when Ben Coker’s cross found Nicke Kabamba who guided a perfectly placed header into the top corner of the Gateshead goal.

 

Hall-Johnson had the final attempt of the half for Barnet but his headed effort could only be guided over the bar.

 

HT: Gateshead 0-1 Barnet FC

 

The home side came out stronger in the second half and brought the score level after a superb volley from Hannant.

 

Dean Brennan made two changes with Zak Brunt and Jordan Maguire-Drew coming on for Marvin Armstrong and Idris Kanu.

 

Harry Pritchard found Nicke Kabamba with a good ball over the home sides defence. Kabamba could not find the target as his strike went over the bar.

 

That would be Kabamba’s final act of the game as Brennan brought Callum Stead on to replace the forward.

 

Hall-Johnson was involved again as he saw his strike deflected over the goal for a corner which Ade Oluwo headed wide.

 

The home side would make The Bees pay for their missed chances as Adom gave Gateshead the lead with nine minute left of play.

 

With two minutes left of the ninety, Reece Hall-Johnson hit the post yards with a headed effort inside the six-yard box. The right-back would been involved again with the final chance of the game as another headed effort was tipped over the bar and was enough for the home side to take all three points.

 

FT: Gateshead 2-1 Barnet FC

 

Starting XI: Keeley, Hall-Johnson, Coker, Armstrong (Brunt 64′), Okimo, Kabamba (Stead 77′), Kanu (Maguire-Drew 70′), Pritchard, Hartigan, Oluwo, Cropper

Unused Subs: Stevens, Potter

Yellow Cards: Armstrong, Pritchard, Hartigan

Goal: Kabamba 29′

 

Attendance: 1,098 (224 away)