The Bees clinched their first victory of 2021 and their first in all competitions since November with a 2-1 win over Halifax Town, thanks to goals from Michael Petrasso and Anthony Wordsworth.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Bees were playing what was their first game in two weeks, after a number of games had been postponed due to the weather.

The match had a lively opening, with the home side causing a lot of problems early on for Halifax, with Courtney Baker-Richardson having a half chance within the first minute, which was comfortable for Sam Johnson.

The visitors were very quick in progressing up the pitch, with some fast interchanges, but were unable to translate it into a meaningful chance.

JJ Hooper had the ball in the back of the net on 18 minutes, but was judged to have kicked the ball from the goalkeepers hands and so the goal didn’t stand.

Neither side were causing much of a threat on goal as we entered the halfway point in the first half, but Liam Daly very nearly found himself giving his side the lead when Anthony Wordworth’s free kick fell to him on the edge of the box and he drilled an effort just wide of the post.

The Bees however would take the lead less than 10 minutes later, when Petrasso broke into space, poking a shot in the far corner of the goal and putting the home side 1-0 up.

The final two minutes certainly produced a dramatic end to the first half.

Wordsworth out of nowhere shot at goal, curling into the top right corner a beautiful effort to double the Bees lead. But right as the fourth official announced stoppage time, the Shaymen came up the other end to grab a goal of their own thanks to Jeff King meaning the sides would go into the break at 2-1.

Halifax started the second half with a lot of the ball, aiming to build on the goal they scored just before the break, pressing high up the field against the Bees low block.

The Bees though were resolute in their efforts to contain them and even looked to threaten on the break on occasions.

But the visitors didn’t give up hopes of a comeback and continued to grow frustrated as the home side held their nerve against any attack which came their way, which was very much a combined effort from the Bees, as the clock continued to countdown.

Despite the frantic end to the game, the Bees were able to hold onto their 2-1 lead and clinch a vital three points.

Barnet Team: Loach, Dunne, Petrasso (Mason-Clark 67′), Hooper (McBurnie 90+3′), Taylor, Richards-Everton, Baker-Richardson (Faal 81′), Binnom-Williams, Juud, Daly, Wordsworth

Subs not used: Azaze and Kefalas