Barnet found last season’s League One champions, Charlton athletic too hot to handle at Underhill last night as the Bees were on the wrong side of a resounding 4-1 defeat. Charlton put out a strong side including Johnnie Jackson and Bradley Wright Phillips.
Barnet included former Bristol Rovers & Hereford United right back, Byron Anthony in the starting line up. On the bench there were other trial players in former Reading midfield player, Frankie Raymond, Wigan defender, Michael Girvan and former West Ham and Charlton striker, Danny Uchechi.
The Bees went behind on just four minutes when the dangerous Bradley-Philips brushed Jon fortune aside all too comfortably and drove a well struck shot into the corner of the net past Liam O’Brien. O’Brien had had to make a double save from the same striker in the opening minute following some slack play by the home side.
Barnet began to settle down and played some attractive passing football and a fine move nearly led to a goal but Olly Lee scuffed his shot badly and it went well wide. Lee was playing well and looked comfortable on the ball, but the Bees, playing with only Jon Nurse up front, struggled to create chances, though a hopeful, long range shot from Anthony Edgar did cause former Brentford keeper, Ben Hamer some trouble in the Charlton goal.
Edgar and left back, Jordan Brown, linked up well on the left side of the field for the Bees who played some nice football but lacked a real cutting edge. The trial player, Anthony, was having a dreadful time at right back and indeed, the right hand side for the Bees was lacking with Vilhete largely ineffective.
Just before the half hour, Charlton won a free kick just outside the penalty area and in a central position and Yann Kermorgant hit a superbly struck free kick that left O’Brien with little chance to put the Addicks, 2-0 up.
On 36 minutes, Johnnie Jackson headed home a Bradley Pritchard cross which O’Brien failed to deal with and at this point, it looked as though Barnet were in for a dreadful hammering.
Jon NURSE pulled a goal back for the Bees just before half time when a cross ricocheted to Nurse who looked suspiciously offside but fired home well.
At the beginning of the second half, Andy Yiadom replaced Anthony at right back and the improvement at right back was clear to see. Yiadom made a fine headed clearance soon after coming on and a fine block from a shot that seemed destined to find the Barnet net. Unlike Anthony, he played his defensive duties well and played the ball well out of defence.
However, Charlton went further ahead when Kermorgant scored from another free kick from almost the same spot. After that there were the usual glut of substitutions with a couple of trial players coming on; Michael Girvan a right back from Wigan and a striker, Danny Uchechi. Girvan didn’t impress but Uchechi had some nice moments and worked hard and looked maybe worth another look. Returned bee, Jack Hyde had a run out and looked lively as well.
Despite some nice football and passing a few promising performances, it has to be said that the team did largely look rather lightweight and it was hard to see why they played with just one regular striker up front until late on. There definitely looked to be a lack of toughness in certain areas of the park, though it has to be said that the team was missing players like Steve Kabba, Danny Senda and Ricky Holmes.
Still it is early days and it was just a friendly and Charlton were just too strong for the Bees. But maybe the kids do need to muscle up a little!!!
Barnet: O’Brien; Anthony, Kamdjo, Fortune, Brown; Vilhete, Abdullah, Lee, Edgar; Nurse, Byrne. Subs: Johnson, Raymond, Saville, Hyde, Gambin, Yiadom, Girvan, Uchechi.
Next up: Borehamwood, next Saturday; kick off 3pm.
