Dean Brennan has described Callum Stead as “like a son” to him after the Barnet forward struck five times against Gillingham to give the Bees a 6-2 win on the final home game of their season.
Stead had four goals to his name by the 30-minute mark as Barnet’s relentless pressure saw Brennan’s side on their way to a 6-2 win with Romoney Crichlow notching the other.
But Stead faced questions over his Barnet future at the beginning of the season, with him seemingly itching for a move away from the club.
“We’re proud of Steady. I know we had our bits earlier on in the season, but I love him like a son,” said Brennan. “He works so hard and creates so many chances in every game. To get five goals in an EFL game is an amazing achievement. He should be very proud of himself and so should his family.
The Bees’ capacity to generate numerous chances throughout the first half allowed the play-off hopefuls to put the visitors to the sword in a devastating display, leaving Brennan almost speechless.
Speaking to Barnet TV post-match, he said: “We could have been 9-0 up at one stage. In that first half, we were devastating. We stepped forward, played on the front foot and created chance after chance. We were so good today. I know Gillingham are not in a great place at the minute, but we dispatched them really well.”
“We just stepped forward again. We scored at a good time to make it 2-1, then 3-1, and you could just smell it. It’s amazing today that Kabi didn’t score. He had a couple of good chances, so it was good that the goals came from all departments.
“We had some unbelievable opportunities (to score more). Some guilt-edged chances were missed, but I’m not going to be overcritical of the lads for that. What we’ve done is we’ve shown character and togetherness, and we’ve not given in. Lady Luck, the football gods haven’t really been with us (this season).
Despite another resounding victory, Brennan again spoke publicly about the challenges the ownership may have to face in the near future.
“We do have to get the 1 per centers right at the football club. When it comes down to detail at this moment in time, some of them are not right at this moment in time,” he added. “I’m not looking to be critical. I know what they are, and I’ve spoken with the chairman about how we fix them.
“You can’t cut any corners at this level. We’re game to go now, and we can’t get in the play-offs. We have to be extremely professional against the teams down at the bottom away at Harrogate (on the final day). I want to beat the record points total of 75 in this division that was set in 1999 and 2000.”
The Bees ultimately narrowly missed out on the chance for a play-off place on the final day but have the chance to break a club points record on the final day this weekend against Harrogate Town (3pm kick-off).
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