A young Barnet side trounced Maldon & Tiptree 7-1 last night in the club’s latest pre-season outing ahead of the new National League season.

As expected, manager John Still took the opportunity to rotate his side for the trip to Essex but despite the youthful complexion to the squad, their Bostik North Division opponents proved no match for the Bees.

It took just two minutes for Barnet to open the scoring as Ephron Mason-Clark confidently attacked the Maldon defence before curling a sumptuous effort into the bottom corner.

Goal number two arrived on the half-an-hour mark as a triallist got on the end of an inviting cross from 16-year-old Martyn Box to glance home.

That same triallist was certainly making quite the impression, adding his second and Barnet’s third after Wesley Fonguck’s effort was parried.

Then, Jack Barham – recently signed from Greenwich Borough – found the net for the first time in a Bees shirt just before the interval after being superbly picked out by the impressive Fonguck.

Early in the second half, however, the hosts did register what would prove to a mere consolation strike as Barnet’s triallist goalkeeper was beaten by a fine volley that clipped the underside of the crossbar as it flew home.

Still’s men added to their lead in fortuitous circumstances with goal number five arriving courtesy of an own goal that ricocheted off a covering defender’s face before nestling in the net.

Fonguck then capped his fine performance to make it 6-1 with 15 minutes remaining before adding his second to make it seven after a great through ball from Roy Syla.

Barnet now get ready to welcome Championship outfit Ipswich Town to the Hive on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.