Barnet 3-0 Aldershot Town

A disappointing second half display see Barnet collect maximum points at Underhill courtesy of goals from John O'Flynn (2) and Micah Hyde.

Manager Kevin Dillon named new Bristol City loan goalkeeper Stephen Henderson in the starting line-up ending Mikhael Jaimez Ruiz' ever present record for the season. Marvin Morgan replaced the injured Marlon Jackson and partnered John Grant up front. Scott Donnelly, who was present at Underhill, was missing after being unable to shrug off a groin strain. He was replaced by Lewis Chalmers.

Barnet made just one change to the side that were defeated at Notts County last time out with veteran striker Paul Furlong making way for Jake Hyde. New signing David Livermore was on the bench.

Within seconds of the start Morgan was felled by a poor challenge from home striker John O'Flynn. The Irishman, who attracted much speculation regarding a six figure move to Shrewsbury Town earlier in the week, was subjected to a ticking off from experienced match official Andy D'Urso.

Barnet started brightly kicking up the steep slope with Albert Adomah, as he was last season, the most likely creative outlet on the far right-hand side. It was apparent early on that his tussle with left back Andy Sandell would be an important one. The visiting defender certainly made his presence known with a couple of early firm tackles.

For all their early possession the home side did not test debutant Henderson until the 13th minute when Adomah's weak left-footed strike was gathered with ease by the loanee.

Aldershot wasted two fine opportunities when awarded free kicks with poor delivery from Oliver Bozanic followed up by Lewis Chalmers. They were also quick to counter-attack through the middle but not so opportune with the final ball.

The visitors had a half chance midway through the first half when a poor clearance from Barnet keeper Jake Cole was met by Louie Soares who, from 20 yards, snatched the return wide of the target.

They did have a great opportunity when Chalmers delivered a well-weighted cross from the right which was met by the unmarked Morgan on the edge of the six-yard box. The Aldershot striker managed to loop a header over the keeper but only to see it saunter onto the top of the bar.

Aldershot were starting to impose themselves though. Chalmers provided a free kick through the centre that was met by Chris Blackburn. Facing away from goal the centre-half touched the ball into the path of Grant who, with the weight of his body on the ground, managed to lob an effort just over the bar with Cole beaten.

It was home midfielder Albert Jarrett who created the best opening of the match when he sent a left-sided cross in from deep that bounced up at the unmarked Jake Hyde on the far edge of the six-yard box but he was unable to connect and the chance went begging.

The match was opening up though with both sides starting to pose questions. Grant headed just wide finishing off a fine move started deep in the visitors' half from Ben Harding and involving five players in a delightful switch of play.

In truth though the tempo of the first half reflected the goalless scoreline in what had been an even encounter.

Half-Time: Bees 0-0 Shots
Added Time: 1 minute
Actual Playing Time:46:02
Goals: None

There were no personnel changes at half-time. Flynn and Adomah were spare at the far post in an early attack but were unable to pounce on Albert Jarrett's tricky centre across the six-yard box.

Morgan then produced one of his powerful runs instigated on the right-hand side then he used sheer power to cut inside from the byeline and fire goal bounds forcing Cole to touch the ball behind at the near post. With Aldershot looking vibrant Bozanic then angled a left footed drive that bounced up at Cole who parried the ball into the path of the advancing Charles who was unable to steady himself only to see the ball cannon off him and upwards over the bar. He was inches away from scoring against his former club for a second successive season on his old ground.

It was a costly moment because on 55 minutes Barnet did take the lead. It had to involve Adomah who controlled the ball well on the right before taking it wide of Sandell and producing an excellent deep cross into the path of Micah Hyde who rose to powerfully head home from six yards.

It could have been two on the hour when Jarrett from the left centred finding Jake Hyde who, unmarked, angled a header goal bounds only to be denied by Henderson who was able to gather on the line. Adomah then fired cross goal forcing Henderson to parry behind for a corner, Aldershot, though, were suddenly being tested severely down both flanks after starting the half well.

There was no disputing that the second Bees goal was poor. Soares was given the ball on the edge of the 18-yard box and easily dispossessed. The ricochet fell into the path of O'Flynn who struck home firmly and low from 12 yards. Aldershot now had it all to do.

Boss Dillon brought on Danny Hylton and Kirk Hudson in a bid to find a way back into the match with Soares and Grant making way.

Henderson stretched to tip behind Jarrett's deep cross from the left and Barnet, without a victory since early November were suddenly buoyant. They had fierce calls for a penalty dismissed but at this stage could only throw the match away.

Substitute Hudson spurned a good opportunity as he sliced a shot wide after Herd's deep centre was set up by Bozanic's squared header.

Herd then turned provider again with a delightful chipped ball which was edged on by Hylton but Morgan, following up at the far post in space, was unable to control.

Dean Howell was introduced with 12 minutes remaining for his first senior football of the campaign.

Morgan then became the first caution of the afternoon after a late challenge borne out of frustration.

It was game, set and match on 85 minutes when O'Flynn was on the end of a deep cross from the left from substitute David Livermore to guide the ball over Henderson and seal three points for the home side in an afternoon that was deteriorating rapidly for the visitors.

The final whistle could not come soon enough as Barnet collected maximum points primarily for the way they responded after the break.

Full Time: Bees 3-0 Shots
Added Time:3 minutes
Actual Playing:48:18
Goals: 1-0 (Hyde 55 mins) 2-0 ( O'Flynn 63 mins) 3-0 (O'Flynn 85)

Attendance: 2145 ( inc 624 from Aldershot)
Referee: Andy D'Urso
Assistants: John Magill (Chequered), Geoff Russell (yellow)
Fourth: Gary Evetts