SANTOS THE BEES KNEES
New signing has big impact at both ends for Barnet
BARNET interim manager Rossi Eames heaped praise on new signing Ricardo Santos after his double inspired this win over rivals Leyton Orient.
It had been a fairly even contest until the 63rd minute when Santos opened the scoring following a mistake by O’s goalkeeper Alex Cisak.
The ex-Peterborough central defender added a second three minutes later and, although Paul McCallum pulled one back for the hosts, Curtis Weston made sure of the points with Bees’ third in additional time.
Eames said: “Ricardo stops goals and scores them. He has been doing some finishing practice with John Akinde so that’s worked out well.
“The chairman Anthony Kleanthous has been fantastic bringing Ricardo in at the age he is (21) and he’s been immense in his first two games.”
Santos, who started his career with Dagenham & Redbridge, was excellent and a leading presence throughout.
But Orient would have been kicking themselves having enjoyed a strong period of pressure prior to the opener.
Andy Edwards’ team failed to defend a short corner and then Cisak couldn’t keep hold of the loose ball and Santos fired home.
Just three minutes later Nana Kyei showed great trickery on
the left and crossed in for the defender to majestically flick home.
It left O’s shell-shocked, although they did reduce the arrears with 11 minutes remaining when McCallum powered home Callum Kennedy’s corner.
Five minutes of additional time offered the east Londoners more hope, but Barnet broke and added a third.
Jamal CampbellRyce’s scooped effort hit the crossbar, and Weston was on hand to fire into the net.
Edwards said: “We keep speaking and working on being hard to play against and for periods we were, but lapses of concentration and mistakes are costing us dear. “All the teams that are down the bottom have a lack of confidence and we are trying to rebuild ours. “For half-an-hour we were a match for Barnet and then they got on top for the last 15 minutes of the first half. “In the second half it was a pretty even game until the goal, which is a cheap one to give away. We didn’t deal with the set-piece or react quickly enough and straight away the confidence sapped out of the players.” Orient were dealt another blow a couple of days before the derby when it was confirmed captain Robbie Weir would miss the rest of the season through injury. The former Burton Albion midfielder suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage towards the end of Monday’s 4-0 defeat at Exeter City.
With Jay Simpson remaining “unavailable” due to his desire to leave the club and several other injury issues, O’s boss Edwards has a number of problems.
But Barnet’s upward trajectory under Eames and fellow manager Henry Newman continues and they moved into the play-off places following this victory at Brisbane Road.
After Martin Allen’s shock departure to Eastleigh on December 1, the duo have won four of their six games in charge.
Eames was delighted to record another success in London after beating Plymouth Argyle 1-0 at home on Monday.
He added: “The timing of the goals is always important, but we were a threat all game. We created a lot of opportunities and it was only a matter of time really, so we’re pleased.”
Meanwhile Edwards discussed the chances of Orient strengthening their depleted squad this month.
He said: “I’ve spoken with people at the club about targets, but some of those targets are gone now.
“We haven’t had the opportunity to strengthen yet, but I’d hope we can get players in.”