Luton Town FC vs Barnet (31st Dec 2016)

PUBLISHED 18:18 31st December 2016 Hatters end 2016 buzzing with win over Bees

LUTON TOWN 3 (Sheehan 31, McGeehan 49, Gilliead 56)

BARNET 1 (Dembele 38)

Att: 8,262 (494)

The Hatters ended 2016 on a real high with a fine win over Barnet at Kenilworth Road this afternoon – ensuring they moved back up to fifth spot in Sky Bet League Two.

The Town have only dropped below that position once this season before Friday night, when Wycombe’s win at Cheltenham knocked Nathan Jones’ side down to sixth spot.

But a brilliant free-kick from Alan Sheehan, Cameron McGeehan’s 11th goal of the season and a stunning strike from Alex Gilliead ensured the Town head to Portsmouth on Monday just a point behind the fourth-placed Hampshire club.

Jones made four changes to his starting line-up from Boxing Day’s 1-0 home defeat to Colchester, with left-sided defenders Sheehan and Dan Potts returning to the team and Jonathan Smith coming into midfield for only his second league start of the season.

The other change saw Jordan Cook return to the side from the off for the first time since the FA Cup win over Solihull Moors on 3rd December, with James Justin, Olly Lee, Gilliead and Jack Marriott dropping to the bench.

Cook was playing up front with Danny Hylton, and the ex-Walsall man had the Town’s first chance inside the opening two minutes.

Referee Mark Haywood had shown Barnet centre-half Bira Dembele a yellow card for a foul on McGeehan with just 80 seconds on the clock, and when the visitors didn’t clear Sheehan’s free-kick properly, Cook fired in a shot from the edge of the area that was deflected inches wide.

A minute later, Hylton played his strike partner into the box and Cook’s low left-footer forced Jamie Stephens in the Bees’ goal into a fingertip save, as the Town earned a succession of corners in a bright, enterprising opening spell.

At the other end, Scott Cuthbert produced a timely challenge on John Akinde as the league’s top scorer was about to pull the trigger from 18 yards, then Johnny Mullins climbed highest at the far post as the Barnet striker looked to attack Jamal Campbell-Ryce’s floated cross.

The pace of the game levelled out and after a bit of a lull, it was the north Londoners who had the next attempt on goal, although Jack Taylor’s 20-yard volley had the pace taken out of it by being hammered into the turf, and Christian Walton was comfortably behind it.

Potts’ return was short lived, a knock to the knee sustained ten minutes earlier forcing him off just before the half-hour, with Gilliead coming on in his place and the formation rejigged to the familiar back four and midfield diamond.

The Town had the lead just after the half-hour though, and it was another piece of set-piece magic from Sheehan that brought it about. Smith, who was pressing with urgency in midfield, was fouled 25 yards out and the Irishman stepped up to curl a beauty around the wall and into Stephens’ top corner.

Barnet were level in controversial circumstances seven minutes later when Dembele turned Taylor’s shot home from close range with the Hatters defence appealing vociferously for offside, Walton so much that he was shown yellow by referee Haywood.

Cuthbert’s excellent defending and sliding clearance up the right touchline led to a chance for Hylton in the 43rd minute, but Stephens proved equal to the Town leading scorer’s cross-shot, then McGeehan’s follow-up effort was easier for the keeper with a deflection looping the ball tamely into the air.

Hylton would have another two chances before the half-time whistle, firstly three minutes into four due to be added on, when he volleyed just over from 16 yards after good work from Smith.

Then, from the Town’s seventh corner of the half in the final seconds, McGeehan had a header cleared off the line, Hylton’s follow-up was blocked – also on the line – and McGeehan’s final effort looped up and over the bar in a real goalmouth scramble to close an eventful opening 45.

It took just 12 seconds of the second half for the Town to register a shot at goal, Smith running onto McGeehan’s lay-off but his right-footed effort was always curling away from the far post.

And it was the same duo who combined to restore the lead in the 49th minute, when Barnet failed to clear a Sheehan free-kick fully, Smith headed the ball back into the area and McGeehan volleyed right-footed into the top corner from 12 yards.

Cook had the ball in the Barnet net once more in the 55th minute, after some lovely link play between Hylton and Gilliead put him in the clear, but on this occasion the assistant’s flag was raised as the ball nestled in the bottom corner of the Kenilworth Road End net.

It mattered little, however, as it was three just seconds later when Cook teed up Gilliead for a wonderful angled strike from the left edge of the area that left Stephens with no chance, and put the Town 3-1 up.

Barnet almost reduced the deficit on the hour when Walton came to punch a Luke Gambin cross, but Michael Nelson beat him to it. Thankfully for the Town keeper, the ball was inches over the bar.

Sheehan went off to a standing ovation on 63 minutes, with Justin coming on to replace him at left-back, but his defensive colleague Cuthbert was producing yet another colossal performance at the heart of the Hatters’ back four, clearly relishing the physical battle with Akinde.

Hylton, with the latest in a catalogue of driving runs, won a corner in the 73rd minute and McGeehan rose highest to meet Gilliead’s delivery, but couldn’t keep his header down.

Barnet brought long-throw expert Sam Muggleton on to replace Gambin, but the left sided midfielder’s first involvement was to take a free-kick 20 yards from the Hatters’ goal, although it flew comfortably over Walton’s bar.

McGeehan was sniffing for a second for himself, and Town’s fourth, but Stephens got his body in line with the midfielder’s 25-yarder in the 81st minute, shortly before Walton had to get down low to his left to turn Curtis Weston’s long-range effort round the post.

Then the England Under-21 stopper flew across his line to keep out Taylor’s 90th-minute volley just before the fourth official signalled five minutes to be added – a period the Town saw out comfortably to secure maximum points at Kenilworth Road for only the second time in seven matches, and sent another 8,000-plus crowd off to celebrate the New Year in style!

TOWN: Walton, O'Donnell, Mullins, Cuthbert (c), Sheehan (Justin 63), Potts (Gilliead 28), Rea, Smith, McGeehan (Lee 87), Cook, Hylton. Subs not used: Gray, Marriott, McQuoid, King (GK)

Yellows: McGeehan, Walton, Rea, Gilliead

BARNET: Stephens, Vilhete, Dembele, Nelson (c), Johnson, Weston, J Taylor, Campbell-Ryce (Akpa Akpro 53), Akinde, Gambin (Muggleton 73), Nicholls (Kyei 68). Subs not used: Vickers, H Taylor, Sesay, Watson

Yellows: Dembele, Muggleton

http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/luton-town-football-league-two-barnet-3491624.aspx

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PUBLISHED 18:15 31st December 2016 The Town boss was pleased with his side's victory

Hatters boss Nathan Jones was delighted with his side’s performance as they beat Barnet 3-1 at Kenilworth Road.

Alan Sheehan’s wonderful free-kick gave Town the lead on the half hour mark, before being pegged back by Bira Dembele’s far post finish eight minutes before half-time.

Town came out in the second half and started the brighter, with Cameron McGeehan finishing acrobatically from ten yards, before Alex Gilliead curled in from the edge of the Bees’ box into the bottom right corner to secure the three points.

Speaking after the match, Jones said: “I am really pleased, it was a difficult first 45 minutes, Barnet played well.

“They are a good side and to be fair they have got some really good players, some physical players, some technical players.

“We stuttered a little bit. We started very well actually and maybe could have taken the lead in the first 15 minutes, we were really on the front foot and then it’s quite an even game.

“We’ve got a goal from a wonderful free-kick. They scored from a little bit of second phase, so at half-time it was probably a fair result.

“In the second half, we asked them to come out and lift the tempo a little bit and they did that.

“They deserved the win and I am very pleased.”

League Two: Luton Town 3 Barnet 1

Luton Town bounced back from their disappointing Boxing Day reverse against Colchester in excellent fashion to end 2016 on a positive note as they deservedly saw off Barnet this afternoon.

Cracking goals from Alan Sheehan, Cameron McGeehan and Alex Gilliead proved enough on the day, but it was more the manner of the performance that will have done wonders for the majority of the 8,262 in attendance.

Gone was the at times ponderous passing around in defence from the hosts which blighted the loss during the last home match, with the ball going side-to-side and more often than not backwards, as Luton looked to get forward far, far quicker at Kenilworth Road than at any other stage this term.

Keeper Christian Walton had clearly been instructed about this new approach too, as the on-loan stopper kicked out of his hands with far more frequency to get his side up the pitch quicker, although it was by no means just high and hopeful long balls forward.

It worked too, as a much-changed Luton made a far brighter beginning to the contest than six days previously, with manager Nathan Jones sticking to his word that alterations were needed, Jonathan Smith in for only his second league start of the campaign and first since September 17 against Crawley, one of four swaps.

Jordan Cook, Dan Potts and Sheehan were back too, with Gilliead, Jack Marriott, Olly Lee and James Justin all dropping to the bench.

The Luton chief has spoken about Cook being an option as a striker and he decided to give the summer signing his chance in that position, playing alongside leading scorer Danny Hylton.

Cook's willingness to press led to an excellent opening as the former Walsall man fired in a low effort that deflected inches past the post and saw an angled drive touched behind by Jamie Stephens for one of four corners won by Luton inside the first 10 minutes.

Disappointingly, the hosts couldn't quite make the most of their opportunities from set-plays, a factor that has dogged their campaign at times, with Bees quick to showcase their main threat too.

Forward John Akinde, already with 17 goals to his name, set off from the half way line, with Scott Cuthbert just about stopping him, although fortunate not concede a free kick in the process on this occasion.

It was the start of a fascinating battle between the pair all afternoon, with neither giving an inch, Luton's skipper going on to show he's easily in his best form since joining last summer, winning over any straggling doubters with another dominant display.

It needed a timely intervention from Johnny Mullins to prevent Akinde nodding home at the far post, while Barnet, whose neat football caught the eye all afternoon, saw Jack Taylor volley straight at Walton.

Town were forced into a reshuffle when Potts had to go off with a knee problem, Gilliead coming on, meaning the hosts reverted to their usual diamond formation.

They then led on 31 minutes in magnificent style too, with Smith's gutsy determination to win the ball back seeing him brought down for a free kick.

Sheehan stepped up and from 25 yards, curled it magnificently beyond Stephens and into the top corner for a truly wonderful second goal of the season, add to his ever increasing selection of dead ball strikes.

Barnet were level just six minutes later in controversial fashion though as Taylor's cross shot was bundled over the line from close range by Bira Dembele with the Luton back-line and supporters screaming for offside, Walton booked for his part in remonstrating after no flag was raised.

Rather than let their heads drop though, Luton were back in the ascendancy, almost notching a second on 42 minutes as Cuthbert's clearance was taken up by Hylton and from near the byline, he fizzed an effort that needed clawing away by Stephens.

Town threatened again with Smith's low cross flicked up and volleyed acrobatically just over by Hylton, while they almost had the goal they crave from a corner, Glen Rea's header kicked off the line and McGeehan scooping over from a yard.

With bright start required in the second period too, Hatters did just that, McGeehan teeing up Smith who only just missed the target.

Jones' side didn't have to wait too long to restore their lead though as on 49 minutes, a bout of head tennis saw the ball drop invitingly to McGeehan who executed a superb swiveling volley into the top corner.

Luton thought they had a third when Gilliead released Cook who burst away to dink over Stephens, only to this time see the flag curtail his celebrations, much to the ire of the home supporters.

It mattered little though, with Gilliead, who had spoken of his desire to add goals to his game, doing just that on 56 minutes, taking Cook's pass to let fly from 25 yards, picking out the bottom corner to perfection.

With the third though, Luton's intensity started to drop, as a Barnet side, unbeaten on their travels since October 8, came into the game far more, causing some moments of consternation in the home defence, particularly when Walton was beaten to the punch by Michael Nelson, the Barnet skipper's header dropping just over.

Led by the irrepressible Cuthbert though, Town restricted the visitors to potshots at best, with Curtis Weston's daisycutter bringing out the best of Walton once more.

He had to make a more comfortable stop from Taylor, as Bees forced a late series of corners, but Cuthbert more often than not got up to head them away, as Town saw the game out to record a much-needed home success.

Hatters: Christian Walton, Johnny Mullins, Scott Cuthbert (C), Alan Sheehan (James Justin 63), Stephen O'Donnell, Glen Rea, Jonathan Smith, Cameron McGeehan (Olly Lee 88), Dan Potts (Alex Gilliead 28), Jordan Cook, Danny Hylton.

Subs not used: Craig King, Jake Gray, Jack Marriott, Josh McQuoid.

Barnet: Jamie Stephens, Elliot Johnson, Bira Dembele, Michael Nelson (C), Curtis Weston, John Akinde, Luke Gambin (Sam Muggleton 74), Jamal Campbell-Ryce (Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro 50), Alex Nicholls (Nana Kyei 68), Jack Taylor, Mauro Vilhete.

Subs not used: Ryan Watson, Josh Vickers, Alie Sesay, Harry Taylor.

Attendance: 8,262 (Barnet 494).

Booked: Dembele 1, McGeehan 23, Walton 39, Rea 50, Gilliead 88, Muggleton 90.

Referee: Mark Haywood.

Jones labels goalscorer McGeehan a ‘phenomenon’

Hatters boss Nathan Jones labelled goalscoring midfielder Cameron McGeehan a ‘phenomenon’ after he bagged his 11th goal of the season during yesterday’s 3-1 win over Barnet at Kenilworth Road.

Despite being the club’s second top marksman this term, the 21-year-old midfielder still has some critics who claim he doesn’t do enough during games when not scoring.

However, Jones believes that any disapproval from supporters for a player who has now found the net 31 times in 105 games, is completely unjust, saying: “I don’t hear many critics saying about him, he doesn’t do this, he doesn’t do that, but he does quite a lot.

“I mean Scott Cuthbert doesn’t score goals, he doesn’t do bicycle kicks, but he heads it.

“Christian Walton, he doesn’t do (Johan) Cruyff turns, doesn’t whip balls into the box, but he saves things.

“So people are in the side to do what they’re paid to do and Cameron McGeehan is the best attacking midfield player in this division.

“He proved it last year, getting 15. He’s got 11 now, that is a phenomenal return for an attacking midfield player, and attacking midfield player who is apparently getting some criticism.

“People can criticise him all they want but the kid’s a phenomenon at times.”

McGeehan’s goal when it came was a truly wonderful finish, as he hooked the ball over his shoulder and into the top corner, giving Bees keeper Jamie Stephens no chance at all.

Jones admitted it was no surprise to see his young charge execute such a difficult technique due to the work he puts in before a game, as he continued: “That’s why he’s in the side. He’s an attacking midfield player. We sacrifice certain things when he plays there, but we get so, so much more.

“I love the kid. He has a real desire to do well and that’s the main thing. We can’t get him off the training pitch, so his technique work, everything he does, day in day out, it’s no coincidence.

“It was (a great goal). He probably could have had one or two more as well as he got into good positions and didn’t quite sort his feet out.”

When discussing his own goal and impressive tally for the campaign already, a modest McGeehan said afterwards: “I think all my goals are instinct. I try and use my instincts and it has paid dividends.

“I keep working hard every day, keep throwing myself in with the team, keep going and doing what’s right for the team, scoring goals.

“The team’s doing well though and we just need to keep that going as I want to be part of that.”

McGeehan’s strike made it 16 goals for the calendar year too and on his own personal 12 months, he added: “It’s been good. I’m still striving to get better, missed a lot of chances and should have had a few more goals if that’s the marker we’re going off.

“There’s a lot more improvement to be done, but I love playing for Luton, it’s an amazing time to play here, so a great year.”

Hatters reap the benefits from a different approach at Kenilworth Road

Hatters midfielder Cameron McGeehan expects Luton to continue with their more adventurous approach at home after it paid handsome dividends during the 3-1 victory over Barnet on New Year’s Eve.

Coming into the game on the back of a tame Boxing Day reverse to Colchester, the hosts went for the jugular from the word go, swapping their usual possession based style for a far more direct mode of play, which put their opponents on the back foot from the off.

It was to continue throughout the game too, with keeper Christian Walton opting to kick from hand rather than look for his centre halves to build patiently from the back, and worked a treat as Luton were rewarded with three stunning goals.

McGeehan revealed the change in tactics had come about after some harsh words following the 1-0 reverse to the U’s as he said: “If we lose at home to a team like Colchester it’s not good enough.

“No disrespect to them, but we should be beating those teams and we’ve not done that enough this season at home. That’s why we’re not top of the table.

“We analyse every game and thought that’s what we needed to do.

“What we tried to do was go a bit longer early. The fans have been getting on our backs a little bit when we’ve been keeping slow, not coming out fast and think they’re right to do so because we need a tempo and energy at the start.

“It worked well. We went for that tactic and we’ll probably use that for a few games at home as the fans were right with us and tempo was set for the rest of the game.

“I definitely think we’ll try and use that the next few games, open them up a bit more, then the gaps open up a bit more.”

There was a far better atmosphere throughout the contest with supporters fully engaged with their side’s efforts and not frustrated as they had been during last week’s tame reverse.

McGeehan continued: “Fans want to come and see that competitive game. It’s League Two, not tippy tappy football.

“It’s kick it and run at times, it’s tough, it’s tackles and it’s headers, fans like to see that and thought from the team selection for us, bit more physicality.

“We knew they were a physical team, their strengths are all long balls, long throws. They’ve got John Akinde who is a top player in this league, scores all the goals.

“So we went a bit bigger, our tallest team for the season, apart from maybe Cookie (Jordan Cook), we’ve got a good squad to use it.”

Although Luton did get the ball to the likes of Danny Hylton and Jordan Cook far quicker, they didn’t just resort to aimless punts forward, but utilising balls in behind, while the likes of McGeehan were quick to win a number of knockdowns too, keeping the pressure on Barnet.

When asked about his decision to alter his side’s approach, boss Nathan Jones knew something was needed to ensure Town were more of an attacking threat from much arlier in the contest.

He said: “The first half we came out of the blocks really, really well, we wanted that, we worked on that this week.

“We wanted to have a start, less possession, little bit more penetration, play in their half a little bit more. So I wouldn’t say we want direct, we tried to penetrate quickly, quicker than we normally do.”

However, when asked if this was now a blueprint for future games at Kenilworth Road, to ensure Luton’s home form picks up in 2017, Jones added: “No, not necessarily. We’ll take very game on its merits, some sides will press us high and we’ll look to play out so we can break that press.

“Here, we didn’t feel they were going to press us, so we thought okay, let’s play it in there early, lets get the crowd with us, lets give them something to get behind and see that there’s a positive.

“Then when it opens up, then we’ll play and i thought we did it very, very well.

“What we didn’t do is control the game enough in the first half after the initial period, but second half I thought we did and saw the game out very, very well.”

Jones was also quick to praise the fans with the way they have stuck behind their side in a poor run of one win from six league games on home soil prior to the victory.

He added: “Our fans are on side, our fans are wonderful and I think we’ve got a real good rapport with our fans.

“They’ve given us real patience now as I think after the Boxing Day game and then a slow first half, they could have gone, maybe a year ago they would have gone.

“But they didn’t. They’re with us, they’re brilliant fans now and they’re a big, big part of what we do, it was intimidating second half and it was excellent, so wonderful for the fans.

“I think they’ve got a side there that when they don’t play well, they know that they’re working and people are grafting and want to die for that shirt.

“So I love our fans, I’m happy with our fans and think they’re happy.”

Luton chief praises physio Parsell as swimming hat saves the day for Rea

Hatters boss Nathan Jones praised club physiotherapist Simon Parsell after midfielder Glen Rea played out the entire second half of Town’s 3-1 win over Barnet in a swimming cap yesterday.

The Irish U21 international required treatment after a clash of heads before the break, and retook the field in the latest fashion accessory modelled by a Luton player, wearing something seen in the local swimming baths rather than on a football pitch.

However, it was all part of a ploy devised after what had originally been a joke from the Town chief after a previous head injury, as he said: “It’s weird. I’ve got to commend my staff there because it takes so long normally to strap someone up, then it doesn’t stick on, then the blood come through.

“So I told them in jest a while back when we had our last cut, just get a swimming cap.

“And he actually did. Simon Parsell has gone out and bought one and neither of them wearing those decorations (Rea and Danny Hylton’s face mask) are good looking fellows, so I think it’s improved both of them.”

Rea was full of zest in his midfield partnership with Jonathan Smith, diving into a number of full blooded challenges as Luton looked to command the middle of the pitch.

Along with Hylton, who led the line superbly all afternoon, the pair played vital roles in Town ending 2016 on a high, as Jones continued: “I’ve bought them here as I know what I’m going to get from them.

“I know what I’m going to get from Danny Hylton and know what I’m going to get from Glen Rea.

“I saw it for three years at Brighton, so that’s why manager’s sign certain players as they know what they’re going to get. It’s no gamble and we haven’t had many gambles.

“Danny Hylton proves why he’s the best in the league as that performance of leading the line, was ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous.”

Hatters made four changes in total for the fixture, with Rea’s positional swap just one alteration, as Jonathan Smith, Alan Sheehan, Jordan Cook and Dan Potts all came in to the side from the disappointing 1-0 reverse to Colchester.

On his different line-up with Town also heading to Portsmouth tomorrow, Jones added: “Because of the close proximity of the games we want a fresh squad.

“We ask them to press, ask them for energy and you can’t do that three games in quick succession if you haven’t got a fresh squad.

“We’ve got a good squad, we made changes, made changes to the bench, left a few people out just to freshen things up.

“We want impetus from the bench, so they’re important as well. I made the changes to try and win the game, picked a side I wanted to start on the front foot.

“My two central midfield players are not the easiest on the eye, but they don’t half work and I know what I’m going to get from them.

“Special mentions, I thought Scotty (Cuthbert) dealt with (John) Akinde really, really well and Jonathan Smith was immense. The team looked solid and we thoroughly deserved the win.”

Luton Town round off 2016 with home win over Barnet

SO long 2016. This century's annus horribilis may have finished by striking down Princess Leia but Luton signed off with a victory over Barnet, stunning goals and a performance that was in a galaxy a far, far way away from their Boxing Day flop.

Now, if the Hatters' empire is to strike back in 2017 and have any say on the League Two automatic promotion places then, at home at least, they must clone this performance. There was just so much to be cheerful about, not least because Town scored more than two at home in the division for the first time since September 24 and won for the first time in four attempts.

Had it not been for a hotly-contested Bees equaliser, after Alan Sheehan's blockbuster opener, then the Force would have been fully with the hosts.

That's not to say the Londoners' rebel alliance was fully quashed, but the Hatters did what they've failed so consistently to do at Kenilworth Road and make their dominance count.

Cameron McGeehan smashed Town into the lead early in the second half with a top corner rocketblast and then Alex Gilliead finally notched in the League for Luton with a laser-guided long-ranger.

But it was more than just a trilogy goals. They finally turned from the dark side of the droid-like defensive, tika-taka go-slow, which proved such a Christmas turkey against Colchester. This was an afternoon that allied cut-and-thrust with more tenacity and more, far more, tempo.

The change of tack began with four changes with Dan Potts and Sheehan returning, Jonathan Smith handed his first League Two start in three months, and Jordan Cook deployed up front with Danny Hylton.

It looked a shrewd move as the former Sunderland man had two chances inside the first four minutes, with Barnet keeper Jamie Stephens kept busy.

But the Bees' number one had no chance with a trademark 25-yard Sheehan free-kick on 31 minutes. It was top bag all the way from the Irishman who, moments earlier, had slotted into left back after Potts trudged off injured having missed the previous two games.

But Barnet were level seven minutes later with Bira Dembele diverting in Jack Taylor's cross-cum-shot. The Hatters players vehemently protested that the defender was offside and referee Mark Haywood trudged halfway over to his linesman – seemingly with a view to gathering more intelligence – but stopped and booked keeper Christian Walton instead, all to chants of "you don't know what you're doing" from the Kenilworth Road end. He was the villain of the piece and duly got booed of the pitch at the final whistle, which was somewhat of a rarity for a home crowd celebrating victory.

Long before that, Phantom menace Hylton twice went close with audacious and acrobatic efforts before a stroke of half time goalmouth scramble where the striker and Glen Rea – later sporting a swimming cap to protect a lacerated head – had efforts cleared off the line and McGeehan somehow scooped over from close range.

But the midfielder more than made up for that four minutes into the second half with a volley that ripped into the top corner at lightspeed to notch his 11th of the season.

It was a picture of a goal and, afterwards, boss Nathan Jones compared the midfielder to the Mona Lisa. It was an amusing but less-than-subtle 'not-for-sale' message to any potential suitors when the transfer window opens tomorrow. Cook saw a goal ruled out for offside but any disappointment was fleeting as Gilliead stroked in another stunner from outside the box.

If this was the first draft of a changed script for 2017 then there could be a new hope yet.

Luton: Walton, O'Donnell, Potts (Gilliead, 28), Smith, Mullins, Cuthbert, McGeehan (Lee, 87), Hylton, Cook, Rea, Sheehan (Justin, 63) Unused subs: Gray, Marriott, McQuoid, King

Barnet: Stephens, Johnson, Dembele, Nelson, Weston, Akinde Gambin (Muggleton, 74), Campbell-Ryce (Akpa Akpro, 53), Nicholls (Kyei, 68), Taylor, Vilhete Unused subs: Watson, Vickers, Sesay, Taylor

Referee: Mark Haywood Attendance: 8,262 (494)