Barnet 3 Darlington 0 (From Times Series)

Barnet 3 Darlington 0

4:57pm Saturday 24th October 2009 in Sport By Paul Wreyford

Three goals in the final half-hour saw off a stubborn Darlington at Underhill this afternoon.

After a disappointing first hour, Barnet finally clicked into gear to get back to winning ways.

The final score was a little harsh on the Quakers, the Bees certainly not at their best, but, after two away defeats on the trot, this was the perfect response.

Ismail Yakubu, sub Nicky Deverdics and Yannick Bolasie got the goals, as rock-bottom Darlington, after giving as good as they got, crumbled at the back in the latter stages.

It was a final score few would have predicted at half-time.

Star players Albert Adomah and John O'Flynn were both recalled to the starting line-up after starting on the bench at Burton.

Joe Devera and Mark Hughes, who missed the trip to Burton through injury and suspension respectively, also came back in.

On paper, it was probably manager Ian Hendon's strongest side.

Barnet almost got off to a dream start when a Yannick Bolasie corner caused havoc in the Darlington six-yard box, but no-one could turn the ball in, O'Flynn eventually shooting wide.

The same player then drove just wide after good work by strike partner Paul Furlong.

The Quakers almost broke the deadlock themselves on ten minutes, Simon Thomas' curling effort from distance just flashing past the upright.

It was a bright start, with both sides looking to attack.

Darlington's David Davis should have scored when he beat the offside trap from a free-kick, but he lobbed over as keeper Jake Cole advanced.

For Barnet, Kenny Gillet had a crack from distance, but the ball finished well wide.

There was little between the two sides in what was an open, but sometimes niggly first half.

There were calls for a red card to be issued to Darlington's James Collins when Gary Breen appeared to be elbowed in the head as the two went up for a ball, but only a yellow one was shown.

Thomas had another great chance for the Quakers ten minutes before the interval, but fired a foot wide from a central position. He should have at least forced Cole into a save.

But Cole was forced into action a few minutes later, pushing out a Corey Barnes effort in what was the final chance of the opening 45 minutes, a half which had started promisingly for Barnet, but finished with the hosts perhaps lucky not to be behind.

Darlington's Davis had the first chance of the second half, drilling the ball just wide.

But it started as the first ended, the game becoming increasingly tetchy, with the referee freely distributing cards and both benches venting their frustrations.

The Bees continued to labour, forcing Hendon to make a double substitution on the hour in a bid to shake things up.

And the goal finally came two minutes later, Ismail Yakubu rising in a crowded penalty area to nod a Bolasie cross into the corner of the net.

It came out of the blue, as the hosts had not previously tested keeper Nick Liversedge.

However, Barnet almost doubled their lead with 20 minutes to go, Adomah striking the post with the outside of his boot from a tight angle after a neat Jake Hyde lay-off.

Cole then had to pull off a reaction stop to deny Davis from close range at the other end.

But Barnet were now looking the likelier to put the game to bed.

And they did so with ten minutes to go, Adomah freeing sub Nicky Deverdics who slotted the ball past the advancing Liversedge.

Two minutes later, it was three, Bolasie turning home a Jake Hyde pull-back.

Poor Darlington must have wondered what had hit them, and there was no way back, the hosts content to close out the game.

BARNET (4-4-2): Cole; Devera, Yakubu, Breen, Gillet; Adomah, Hughes, M Hyde (Deverdics 60), Bolasie; O'Flynn (J Hyde 60), Furlong. Subs not used: Carpenter, Deen, Kamdjo, O'Neill, Jarrett.

Attendance: 2,313.