Barnet Fail To Learn

Barnet’s miserable start to the season continued as they came on the wrong side of a 2-1 scoreline in the London Derby against Brentford. It was very much a case of deja-vous for the Bees who had yet another player sent off, again being a straight red card, and conceded two penalties to gift the hosts a win. It means Barnet have now had three sendings off and given away three penalties in the consecutive competative games. And a serious injury to Michael Leary in the first half only caps what a torrid few weeks it has been for the club.

Stevland Angus was handed a debut in central defence whilst an injured Ashley Carew couldn’t make the squad meaning Stephane Seanla was handed a start.

Barnet were the slightly better side in the first half but will have been disappointed not to have gone into the dressing room the a lead. Anthony Thomas continued his search for his debut goal when he shot narrowly wide in the first few minutes and then disaster struck when Leary was hit by a very bad challenge from opposition skipper Mackie which went unpunished dispite being the worst of the game. Danny Hart came on as his replacement.

For the home side, the returning Thorpe headed over when he should’ve at least hit the target whilst Idle forced Lee Harrison into a good save. Brentford were rightly reduced to ten men when Thorpe slid in, studs high, into Max Porter who reached the ball first, with the studs pushed hard into the midfielder’s back.

HT: Brentford 0 – 0 Barnet

There was yet more disaster for Barnet when Sagi Burton was injured in the earlier stages of the second-half, placed by Joe O’Cearuill for his debut. Immediately after, Ian Hendon was adjuded to have tripped Ide just inside the area and the ref pointed to the spot. O’Connor converted.

Brentford 1 – 0 Barnet

On the hour mark, top scorer Jason Puncheon came up with yet another magnificent goal – well, we can’t expect him to score a tap-in, can we? – blasting a rocket from 30 yards out.

Brentford 1 – 1 Barnet

Yet with Barnet’s man-advantage they could not dominate proceedings or take the game to their hosts. Hart should’ve scored but he shot wide. Then debutant Angus, who in fact had been having a good solid game all afternoon, was wrongly sent off for alegedly denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity when Peters was dragged down outside the box. He then dived into the area when he was brought to the ground, and the ref was cheated into awarding another penalty. A straight red for Angus and he will be yet another player on the sidelines, and even though Harrison saved the spot kick, the Barnet defenders were static when the ball rebounded to the players and so it was easy for Mousinho to hit in.

Brentford 2 – 1 Barnet

3 games. 1 point. Loads of injuries. Loads of suspensions. A thin squad. Not looking good.

FT: Brentford 2 – 1 Barnet