A tough test for the Eagles resulted in a harsh score line for the home side. It was a spirited and improved performance from Saturday but Barnet just had the finishing touch on the day.

The game got off to a lively start. Barnet came close early on and this chance was saved by the reliable Alex Street in goal. Around the nine-minute mark, Barnet took the lead. It was a decent goal after Ryan De Havilland had a shot on goal which was well saved by Alex Street but fell into the path of Nicke Kabamba who fired in from close range.

The formers Northampton Town forward's goal gave Barnet more confidence going forward but this didn’t mean Bedford were out of the game. Charley Sanders had a golden chance immediately after the goal but his powerful strike was stopped by Laurie Walker. Sanders took up the rebound but his header went over the crossbar.

Charley Sanders causes havoc for the Barnet defence

The Bedford defence was definitely kept busy but the Barnet defence had to deal with problems too. Bedford almost equalized from a free kick. Will Summerfield and Danny Setchell stood behind it, Summerfield laid it off to Setchell who let one fly. It looked destined for the back of the net but unfortunately it rattled the post and deflected away.

Under 30 seconds after this, Barnet scored a second. It was Ryan De Havilland on the scoresheet after a great ball over the top fell perfectly to his feet. He calmly slotted it past Alex Street and at half time it was 0-2 Barnet.

The half began with 11 fresh changes for the visitors, but it was the Eagles who looked sharpest off the blocks. Liam Brooks had a decent opportunity but fired wide a few minutes in. Barnet got a third soon after this. The Bedford defence cleared the ball as the Barnet player committed himself to the ball and played it to Ephron Mason Clark. He took it past the defender and curled it into the top right corner beyond the reach of Alex Street.

New signing Tyrone Lewthwaite came close as he went on a menacing run from the half way line into the box but his shot was well saved. Craig Mackail Smith had a good chance but it hit the roof of the net above the goal. Tyrone Lewthwaite also had another great chance but was very unlucky to see it trickle wide.

Craig Mackail-Smith's delicate lob forces the keeper to tip over the bar

Barnet soon won a penalty after a forward was brought down in the box. Daniel Powell stepped up and sent Alex Street the wrong way to give Barnet a 4-goal lead. Street had to make a few more quality saves in a fantastic performance in the last few minutes. Tyrone Lewthwaite almost got his goal when he cut in and struck one towards the side netting but the goalkeeper saved well.

Overall, it was a flattering score line for Barnet but it was a great performance from the Bees who could have a good shot at promotion next season. The Eagles still played well and could have had a few goals but it just wasn’t our day. We go again on Friday when we travel to Stotfold for a 7:45pm kick-off.

Match Report written by Zac Neal