Barnet maintained their impressive start to the National League season with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over a struggling AFC Fylde at The Hive Stadium. Despite the final scoreline suggesting a comfortable win, the Bees were made to work for the three points, only breaking the deadlock in the second half against a resilient Fylde side.
The opening 45 minutes were a cagey affair, with both teams cautiously probing for openings. While Barnet controlled possession for large spells, they found it difficult to penetrate a well-organised Fylde defence. The Coasters, in turn, posed a threat on the counter-attack, but their forays forward often lacked the decisive final ball. Clear-cut chances were a rarity for both sides.
The second half began with a flurry of activity, with both managers turning to their benches and a number of cautions issued, injecting a greater sense of urgency into the game. The breakthrough finally came in the 57th minute. Substitute Nicke Kabamba, having only just entered the fray, reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the penalty area, firing home to give Barnet the lead and ignite the home crowd.
Stung by the concession, Fylde pushed more players forward in search of an equaliser, leaving themselves exposed at the back. Barnet manager Dean Brennan responded with further tactical substitutions, bolstering his midfield and introducing fresh legs to the attack. Despite sustained pressure and wave after wave of attacks, the Coasters were unable to breach the resolute Barnet defence.
As the game ticked into stoppage time, Fylde’s increasingly desperate attempts to salvage a point saw them commit even more men forward. This gamble ultimately backfired in the 95th minute. Substitute Ben Coker delivered a perfectly weighted pass to Callum Stead, who calmly slotted the ball home to seal a 2-0 victory for the Bees.
The win solidifies Barnet’s position at the top of the National League table, having now won nine of their twelve matches. Conversely, AFC Fylde remain rooted in the relegation zone, with just two wins and a negative goal difference to their name. This latest result continues Barnet’s recent dominance over Fylde, having now won their last three encounters.