Photo by Tom Poole
York City fell to defeat in North London with defeat to the hands of promotion rivals Barnet FC at The Hive Stadium.
Barnet registered the first shot of the game when Rhys Browne let fly from range, but he rolled his effort wide of the right-hand post.
City’s first shot of the game came in the form of a Tyrese Sinclair volley, with his back turned to goal he struck the ball, but it was well blocked by the Barnet defence.
Barnet thought they’d struck early gold in the 10th minute when Browne had an empty net to shoot at from just outside the box. Browne however could only put the ball out for a goal-kick.
It wasn’t long after before the Bees had their opening goal. A long throw into the box was flicked on with a crucial touch by Ade Oluwo who looped the ball over Male and into the net.
York made an early tactical switch after 30 minutes when Dan Batty made way for striker Josh Stones who entered the field.
In a half of few chances, Barnet were looking to press for a second goal. Stead dispossessing the ball in a dangerous area before flashing the ball towards goal.
The final chance of the half came to Barnet when Anthony Hartigan swung in a free kick, but it was well headed out by the city defence.
Barnet went into half time with a narrow 1-0 lead.
The Bees came out in the second half in search of another goal, a long ball floated forward was punched down by Male into the path of the Barnet forward who couldn’t direct his shot goalwards.
Just like in the first half the Bees were starting brightly and got their second goal when the ball was played through to Lee Ndlovu who ran through on goal before slotting the ball under Male to double the lead.
The lead was extended to three when captain Hartigan took aim from a free kick before finding the bottom right-hand corner.
Hartigan came close for a second time when he found himself with room to shoot from inside the box, but Male was equal to the effort this time.
City were given a chance to wing the ball into the box from a free kick. Hunt took on the orders, but his ball was punched away by the debuting keeper Toby Savin.
City grabbed a late consolation in added time but it wasn’t to be anymore as the Bees held on for all three points.
BARNET: Savin, Ndlovu, Stead, Kanu, Glover, Hartigan, Browne, Oluwo, Grimwood (Cropper 67’), Tavares, Kenlock
YORK CITY: Male, Howe, Sinclair (Luamba 66’), Hunt, Pearce, Nathaniel-George (John-Lewis 46’), Armstrong, Batty (Stones 33’), John, Felix, Fagan-Walcott.
ATTENDANCE: 4050 (1185)
