Report: Barnet 3-0 Magpies
Posted on 26th January 2025
Maidenhead United suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of league leaders Barnet on Saturday, 25th January at the Hive.
Alan Devonshire made two changes to the side which beat AFC Fylde last week. Bradley Keetch came in for the injured Reece Smith, while Owen Cochrane replaced Miles Welch-Hayes in defence.
From the get-go, the hosts put on an attacking performance which was symbolic of an outfit which tops the scoring tally in the National League. A persistent, possession-dominant for Barnet meant much of the first 45 was played in the United half.
Despite an abundance of opportunities, a mixture of poor finishing and solid defence by United kept the game goalless for the first 25 minutes. Danny Collinge and Idris Kanu both fired over the crossbar, while Craig Ross punched away Callum Stead’s header as Barnet ramped up the pressure.
A goal was due, however, and Barnet would break the deadlock in the 27th minute. Ross made a solid save to force a corner during a one-on-one with Lee Ndlovu, and the resulting set piece ultimately saw Ryan Glover head towards goal. A dramatic goal line clearance from Nathan Ferguson momentarily denied the Bees, but Stead was in the right place at the right time to hammer home the opener.
Ross did well to keep the hosts from doubling their lead, particularly with his diving punch to deny Anthony Hartigan’s 20-yard free kick on the stroke of half-time.
Half-time: Barnet 1-0 Magpies
The soon-to-be league leaders didn’t wait long to cement their advantage as the sun began to set on the Hive. With less than two minutes on the clock for the second half, Kanu played a low cross from the right-hand side of the pitch to an unmarked Mark Shelton, who tapped home in the 47th minute.
Barnet continued to pepper the United goal, and two would become three in the 70th minute as Kanu added a goal to go with his earlier assist. Zak Brunt, who had enjoyed little success in front of goal throughout the second half, calmly set Kanu up after receiving a low cross from Stead. The midfielder placed his shot just to the left of Ross, and Barnet would dismiss any inclination of a Maidenhead comeback.
Nevertheless, a change in formation and tactical changes gave the Magpies hope of eating back into the -22 goal difference. Shawn McCoulsky’s effort from five yards out was deflected over the crossbar for another corner, the result of which saw the returning Tobi Sho-Silva head towards Owen Evans in between the Barnet uprights. Sadly for United, there would be little cause for celebration as the final whistle blew for a 3-0 defeat.
Full-time: Barnet 3-0 Magpies
Barnet: Evans, Collinge, Ndlovu (Browne, 74’), Stead, Kanu (Coker, 74’), Glover, Brunt (Clifford, 82’), Hartigan, Shelton, Tavares (Grimwood, 87’), Kenlock
Magpies: Ross, De Havilland (Dyce, 58’), Lokko, Latty-Fairweather, Ferguson, McCoulsky (Stewart, 82’), Keetch (Korboa, 58’), Pettit, Cochrane (Sho-Silva, 73’), Abrahams, Onariase
Attendance: 1,630 (101)
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