HAV THAT! BEES MAKE SPITFITES PAY DEAR
RYAN De Havilland pounced on a schoolboy defensive error to grab a stoppage-time winner as Eastleigh gift-wrapped Barnet a first victory in six National League outings.
The influential 20-year old midfielder could hardly believe his luck when the ball dropped at his feet after Eastleigh goalkeeper Joe McDonnell and defender Michael Kelly bungled what should have been a straight forward clearance.
His goal meant that Barnet, who played the last ten minutes with ten men after substitute Reece GregoCox was sent off, halted a run of four successive defeats in which they conceded 18 goals.
But the outcome could have been different had Eastleigh striker Danny Whitehall not smacked a 72nd minute penalty against the underside of the Barnet crossbar with the score at 2-2.
Delighted Barnet manager Dean Brennan said: “We had a little bit of luck at the end, but we worked hard and earned it.
“We needed this win. Its been a difficult few weeks. We’ve been depleted and had players out there who weren’t 100 per cent. I’m delighted for them and our supporters.”
Eastleigh, in contrast, have won only twice since manager Lee Bradbury replaced Ben Strevens, but they should have built on the bright start they made and improved on the 14th minute lead wingman Sam Smart gave them.
The Spitfires dominated the opening half-hour and led through Smart, who performed a triple somersault after converting Vincent Harper’s pass.
Perhaps the danger signs were there as Barnet gradually grew into the game and came close to equalising when De Havilland rolled a shot across the face of McDonnell’s go
Barnet seized the initiative with two goals in four early second half minutes, both scored by former Eastleigh loanee Adam Marriott.
The first came from the penalty spot when Ephron Mason-Clark was tripped by Brennan Camp and Marriott slotted home.
The second, three minutes later, came from some superb play on the left-hand byline from Mason-Clark.
Within six minutes Eastleigh were back on level terms – Jake Hesketh delivering an inch perfect free kick into the box for Whitehall to head the equaliser. Eastleigh ought to have gone on and won it after that – but Whitehall’s penalty miss cost them dear.
Barnet sub Grego-Cox received a straight red card for dangerous play but De Havilland’s late intervention meant it mattered little.
Spitfires boss Bradbury moaned: “You can’t give away goals like we did. We gifted them all three.
“We were the better side for long periods, but the lads aren’t used to winning and its affecting confidence and the way we play.”