Barnet striker Michael Gash has heaped praise on the club’s young talents after several of the Bees’ title-winning Under-18s side featured in Saturday’s friendly defeat against Crystal Palace.

Despite the Premier League side running out 5-3 winners at The Hive there was much to be positive about in Barnet’s performance. And head coach Martin Allen was more enthusiastic about what he had seen afterwards than he was seven days earlier following a win over Hungerford Town.

Fumnaya Shomotun again caught the eye with the diminutive playmaker grabbing the assist for Kevin Lisbie’s deft header over Eagles goalkeeper Chris Kettings in the second half.

He is one of which big things are expected and alongside Shomotun in midfield, Wesley Fonguck was also impressive.

At the back Harry Taylor – captain of last year’s Football League Youth Alliance South East division winners – and Joe Gater were also second-half substitutes.

Asked about the involvement of the latest crop of Academy graduates, Gash enthused: “It is fantastic.

“I have got to call myself a senior player now at 28 and to have that opportunity given to you by the gaffer is fantastic and I think they know that.

“They work hard in training, they knuckle down and when they train with the first team their effort is 100 per cent and you can see that in everything they do.

“They want to learn and take things on board and the gaffer has given them the chance to do that. As you have seen today, they are not afraid to show what they can do.”

Times Series: Last season's Under-18 captain, Harry Taylor, stretches to clear under pressure. Picture: Action ImagesLast season's Under-18 captain, Harry Taylor, stretches to clear under pressure. Picture: Action Images

Gash was one of ten changes after an hour and whilst it would have been easy for the Bees to lose their way, if anything that raft of changes lifted the side for the final throes of the contest.

“I think it is always difficult to come on with 30 minutes left but it is mainly to get minutes under your belt and get as fit as possible,” noted Gash.

“The young lads especially that came on did a terrific job and I think they enjoyed playing against a Premier League team and why they did so well last year in the youth team,” he added.

Reflecting on the performance as a whole, Gash tempered his praise: “We knew they were a quality team and they were going to come here and play football – they are not in the Premier League for no reason – so we knew it was going to be a tough game.

“It was obviously a good start with big John (Akinde) getting on the scoresheet but they have shown their class as well with Dwight Gayle getting a hat-trick and a couple of great goals as well. It is a great work-out and although we were disappointed to lose it is just important to get minutes,” he confirmed.