In an electrifying English National League clash, Barnet secured a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Southend United at Roots Hall, extending their undefeated streak to 11 matches. The Bees’ dominant performance showcased their prolific goal-scoring form.
The action began early, with Southend’s Cavanagh Miley receiving a yellow card in the 3rd minute following a foul. This set the tone for a physically intense contest, with both teams creating scoring opportunities. However, it was Barnet who broke the deadlock in the 24th minute, courtesy of a well-crafted goal by Danny Collinge. The midfielder’s strike, assisted by Anthony Hartigan, gave the visitors a crucial lead.
As the first half progressed, Southend struggled to contain Barnet’s attacking prowess. The hosts’ defensive woes were further compounded when James Golding scored an own goal in the 33rd minute, doubling Barnet’s advantage. This dramatic turn of events left Southend reeling, and they were unable to recover before the interval.
The second half saw both teams make tactical substitutions in an attempt to alter the course of the match. Barnet introduced Joe Grimwood in place of Myles Kenlock in the 54th minute, while Southend replaced Cavanagh Miley with James Morton and Charley Kendall with Macauley Bonne in the 60th minute. These changes had a significant impact on the game, as Grimwood provided the assist for Danny Collinge’s second goal in the 74th minute, sealing the win for Barnet.
As the match drew to a close, both teams received yellow cards for fouls committed by Josh Walker and Callum Stead in the 71st minute, and Nathan Harness in the 94th minute. Despite these disruptions, Barnet maintained their composure, and their victory was capped off by a series of substitutions that allowed them to see out the game comfortably.
Ultimately, Barnet’s convincing win was a testament to their attacking flair and defensive solidity, as they moved up to second place in the English National League standings. In contrast, Southend United slipped to 15th, highlighting the need for improvement in their upcoming fixtures. With this result, Barnet are now just 5 points behind the league leaders, while Southend are 13 points adrift of the promotion playoffs, underscoring the significance of this win for both teams.