ADE BOY! OLUWO BOOSTS THE BEES
ADEBOLA Oluwo’s headed a late winner as promotion chasing Barnet ended 2023 in style with victory over a rejuvenated Southend United at the Hive.
Oluwo’s looped header from Jordan Cropper’s long throw six minutes from time completed a festive double for the Bees against Kevin Maher’s men and took them back to within seven points of leaders Chesterfield.
“We showed over the two games the togetherness, good character and bravery defensively,” said Barnet head coach Dean Brennan.
“We changed our system with 20 minutes remaining and Southend were on top, we managed to get a throw in.
“Cropper is a good distributor and powerful lad who came on and defended well when he had too. He gave us his ball carrying quality when the pressure was on us and produced a fantastic shift for the team.
“We would prefer to use the ball much better, missing the likes of Danny Collinge and Connor Stevens’ qualities.”
Southend – buoyed by the completion of Justin Rees’ takeover and the lifting of their transfer embargo – named new signing James Morton on the bench and started with intent as they looked to avenge Boxing Day’s 2-0 home defeat by the Bees.
Barnet, however, regained some foothold in the game with Finley Potter forcing a save from Shrimpers goalkeeper Collin Andeng-Ndi.
Southend began the second half on top and forced Bees shot stopper Laurie Walker into an important save around the hour mark – Henry Sandat threading a fantastic pass into the path of Brooklyn Kabongolo but the substitute saw his effort expertly kept out.
Still, the visitors continued to venture into the Barnet half regularly with substitute Jack Wood and Noor Husin both going close before Walker was forced into the action again to keep out Wes Fonguck’s long-range effort from the edge of the box.
But despite their efforts, it was Barnet who broke the deadlock on 84 minutes – Cropper delivering a trademark long-throw towards the near post and defender Oluwo managed to flick his header into the back of the net.
Southend surged forward in search of a leveller and after strong penalty claims were waved away by referee Sam Mulhall, Wood and Jack Bridge were presented with chances but both failed to convert at the near post.
At the other end, Idris Kanu perhaps should have wrapped it up when he was sent through on goal but he was denied by Andeng-Ndi.
Shrimpers boss Maher said: “The performance didn’t warrant the loss but a bit of naivety and a lack of cutting edge cost us. We’ve got this week to push on and it’s obvious we need one or two players in but they’ve got to be the right ones.”