St Albans City 0 Barnet 4 - Pre-season friendly Jason Puncheon hit a hat-trick of penalties as Barnet continued their pre-season schedule with another comfortable win at Clarence Park on Tuesday night.

Three of the goals came within the final 15 minutes of the match, but the Bees were still good value for the win against a physical St Albans outfit.

This has become an annual fixture in recent years and the Saints, relegated from Conference National last season, are no pushovers, so this performance gave another indication that Barnet are warming up nicely for the big kick-off on August 11.

Their final pre-season friendly is at Histon on Saturday.

Manager Paul Fairclough, a former St Albans player himself, again fielded a strong side, but it took until two minutes before the interval for the visitors to break the deadlock, Puncheon converting the first of his penalties after the ball was handled in the area.

Though the Bees again had chances to extend their lead in the second half, they had to wait until 15 minutes from time before adding a second, sub Anthony Thomas netting his third goal in two games after neatly rounding the keeper.

Puncheon struck from the spot twice in the space of three minutes in the closing stages as Barnet put the seal on another confident performance.

The Bees virtually dominated for the entire 90 minutes and could have scored more, keeper Nick Eyre pulling off some fine saves for the Saints.

Though only a friendly, the side is taking shape.

The back four looked reasonably solid, while the midfield are starting to gel. On the wings, Puncheon continues to impress and Ashley Carew probably had his best game of the pre-season, the new signing tormenting his marker and putting in some inviting crosses.

The back four and midfield who started on Tuesday are looking increasingly likely to be ones to start at Morecambe in ten days' time, though Fairclough continues to trial a number of players up front, including Ben Wright who linked up well with Adam Birchall.

BARNET (4-4-2): Beckwith; Devera, Yakubu, Burton, Nicolau; Carew, Leary, Bishop, Puncheon; Birchall, Wright. Subs: Trebbs, Cole, Bostwick, Hatch, Gillet, Hart, Porter, Seanla, Thomas.

  • In Tuesday night's other pre-season friendlies, Edgware Town fell to a 3-1 defeat at Tring Athletic, while Wingate & Finchley were beaten 3-0 by Ryman League Premier Division newcomers Harlow Town.

The Blues were also due to travel to Chesham United for another friendly last night.