Barnet returned to the summit of League Two with a convincing 3-1 victory over Fleetwood Town at The Hive. The win, their second in a row at home, moves them two points clear at the top of the table on 15 points from seven games.
Kabongo Tshimanga opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the tenth minute after being fouled by Fleetwood goalkeeper Jay Lynch. It was the striker's fourth goal of the campaign. Fleetwood, who had been unbeaten before the match, levelled the score in the 35th minute through Will Davies, who converted after Matt Cox had saved an initial effort and Adam Murphy struck the post.
Barnet regained control just after the hour mark. Tom Knowles delivered a cross that led to a scramble, and Charlie Lakin was quickest to react, scoring his sixth goal of the season from close range. Two minutes later, Idris Kanu doubled the advantage, finishing after Tshimanga's attempted overhead kick fell to him. It was Kanu's second goal of the season, matching his total from the entirety of the previous campaign.
The hosts' task was complicated when substitute Nnamdi Ofoborh was sent off just 15 minutes after coming on, receiving two quick yellow cards. Despite playing with ten men for the final stages, Barnet saw out the game comfortably to secure the three points. The result extends their remarkable unbeaten run in the league to 16 matches.
Manager Dean Brennan made one change to the side that beat Accrington, with Romany Crichlow starting at left-back for the first time this season. The Bees have now scored in every league game this term, netting 17 goals while conceding 10. Their recent form shows two wins and three draws from the last five outings.
Attention now turns to a trip to face Crawley Town, who currently sit 24th in the table. That match is scheduled for Saturday, 26 September.
Barnet's squad depth and resilience were on full display, with different players contributing at key moments. The team's ability to respond immediately after Fleetwood's equaliser and then manage the game with ten men underlined their credentials as serious promotion contenders this season.
First reported at Barnet Post
Manager Dean Brennan confirmed that Nnamdi Ofoborh's second yellow card in the 85th minute of Saturday's 3-1 win was for kicking the ball away. The club's match report detailed the incident.
Fleetwood Town confirmed that Danny Andrew's saved effort led to their equaliser against Barnet. The club's match report stated that Will Davies converted after Andrew's shot was stopped and Adam Murphy hit the post. Barnet, who are first in League Two with 15 points from seven games, won the match 3-1.
