Bees strike early and late to see off Shrimps (From Times Series)

Bees strike early and late to see off Shrimps

9:15am Wednesday 19th August 2009 in

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Few would have disagreed with the punter in the main stand who declared after five minutes: "There will be more goals in this game."

The Bees were already 1-0 up and both defences looked like they were in for a torrid night.

But, strangely, all went quiet after the explosive opening and it was not until seven minutes from time that the hosts finally wrapped it up.

Barnet boss Ian Hendon admitted: "It was not a pretty game of football."

While Saturday's 2-2 draw against Shrewsbury Town was great entertainment, apart from a breathless opening five minutes, this game fell very flat.

But, as Hendon remarked, sometimes you need one of these types of performances to kick-start your season.

Striker Paul Furlong struck within three minutes, smashing the ball into the roof of the net from 12 yards when things opened up nicely for him.

The goal came less than a minute after Ian Craney had hit the post for the Shrimps, his curling effort via the outside of his boot eluding the diving Jake Cole.

It was end to end stuff, and both central defenders Daniel Leach and Ismail Yakubu had chances to double the lead with headers in what was a mad-cap opening spell.

It looked like a sparse crowd were in for another fine night's entertainment, but to say things went flat would be an under-statement.

However, that is probably what Barnet would have wanted. The impetus was on Morecambe to attack and, though the visitors were the better side after the interval, they never really looked like penetrating the home defence.

Not that a second goal looked like it was needed, but Albert Jarrett duly obliged from the penalty spot late on, sending keeper Barry Roache the wrong way after the winger had himself been tripped inside the box.

It was his first Barnet goal and Hendon was surprised the new signing had even picked up the ball, Jake Hyde having taken up spot-kick duties after scoring a penalty on Saturday.

"He was lucky he scored," the manager declared.

BARNET (4-4-2): Cole; O'Neill, Yakubu, Leach, Gillet (Deen 56); Adomah, Deverdics (Tabiri 61), M Hyde, Jarrett; J Hyde (Bolasie 84), Furlong. Subs not used: Carpenter, Devera, Kamdjo, Charles.