In a tense and highly competitive match, Barnet secured a narrow 2-1 victory over Ebbsfleet United at the Kuflink Stadium in the English National League. The match, which took place on 17 August 2024, drew a crowd of 1636 spectators who were treated to an intense display of football.
The game commenced slowly, with both teams cautiously feeling each other out in the opening exchanges. However, it was Barnet who eventually broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute, thanks to a well-crafted goal by Callum Stead. Stead’s goal was expertly assisted by Billy Clifford, who provided the crucial pass that allowed Stead to coolly slot the ball past the Ebbsfleet United goalkeeper, giving Barnet a 1-0 lead going into the half-time break.
The second half saw a significant increase in tempo, with both teams creating numerous scoring opportunities. Ebbsfleet United, in particular, began to assert their dominance, launching a series of attacks that threatened to breach the Barnet defence. Despite this, it was Barnet who managed to extend their lead in the 70th minute, courtesy of Stead’s second goal of the game. This time, the striker was assisted by Joe Kizzi, who provided a pinpoint accurate pass that enabled Stead to finish with ease.
Ebbsfleet United refused to give up, however, and their persistence was eventually rewarded in the 95th minute. After being awarded a penalty, Dominic Poleon stepped up to slot the ball past the Barnet goalkeeper, reducing the deficit to 2-1. Although this goal set up a tense finale, Barnet managed to hold on to their lead and secure a hard-fought victory.
Throughout the match, both teams made several tactical substitutions in an attempt to gain the upper hand. Ebbsfleet United introduced players such as Dominic Poleon, Toby Edser, and Craig Tanner, while Barnet brought on Nikola Tavares, Harry Chapman, and Finley Wilkinson. The match also saw a total of seven yellow cards being issued, with Ebbsfleet United’s Kwame Thomas, Dominic Samuel, Tyler Cordner, Craig Tanner, and Toby Edser all being cautioned, along with Barnet’s Billy Clifford and Zak Brunt.
This win marks a significant turning point for Barnet, who had previously suffered a losing streak. The team will look to build on this momentum in their upcoming fixtures, while Ebbsfleet United will aim to bounce back from this defeat and improve their position in the league standings.