Barnet kicked off their pre-season campaign with a comfortable 5-1 win away at Berkhamsted Town.

Two goals apiece for Shaquile Coulthirst and Jack Taylor had Darren Currie’s side well in charge at the break before Medy Elito added the Bees’ fifth after Lewis Toomey had netted a consolation for the hosts.

New signing Scott Loach went straight into the line-up for Barnet who named a strong side that also featured Antonis Vasiliou, who recently signed his first professional deal with the club.

It was a fast start for the visitors at Broadwater against their BetVictor Southern League Division One Central opponents. Dan Sparkes whipped a cross along the six-yard box towards Vasiliou but he sent his effort wide.

The, after only six minutes, Taylor opened the scoring by producing skipping between two home defenders and then, as he advanced into the box, he poked Xavi Comas into the back of the net.

Coulthirst had an effort kept out by Comas as the Bees continued to dominate, and shortly after he headed narrowly over the bar from a Sparkes delivery.

Last season’s top scorer wasn’t going to be denied for long though, and when Sparkes was brought down in the area the striker made no mistake form 12 yards, thumping home to double Barnet’s advantage.

In continued to be one-way traffic in the visitors’ favour and the goal of the game came after 34 minutes when Irishman Taylor picked up the ball 25-yards from goal. and unleashed a powerful drive into the top corner, leaving Comas with no chance.

Only four minutes later, Barnet had a fourth goal as Sparkes stung an effort across goal that was palmed away by Comas, but Coulthirst was on hand to tap in and extend the visitors’ lead further.

Despite being heavily outclassed in the opening period, it was Berkhamsted who started the second half on the front foot and they pulled a goal back within 15 minutes of the restart as Toomey nodded in at the far post to complete a fast counter attack for the hosts.

However, Barnet made an instant reply and restored their four-goal cushion when Sparkes teed up Elito to apply the finishing touches.

A double change then ensued for the visitors as goalkeeper Loach made way for Rihards Matrevics and Andre Boucaud was replaced by Charlee Adams.

Jack Barham was the next to trouble the Berkhamsted defence, but they would have been relieved to see his brilliant effort come back off the post and bounce away to safety, and a few minutes later he saw another shot curl just over the crossbar.

Matrevics got his first piece of action in the 77th minute when former MK Dons youngster Will Summerfield drove a shot across goal, but the Latvian stopper got down well to collect.

Adams saw a late effort veer off target as Barnet continued to push for a sixth goal, but they were capped on five as the referee drew the game to a close.

The Bees’ next friendly sees them host League One side Wycombe Wanderers at The Hive this Saturday, with kick-off at 3pm.