BEES WING THEIR WAY INTO THE LAST EIGHT

NATIONAL League promotion chasers Barnet claimed a comfortable victory at Welling to ease their way into the quarter-finals.

Although Rod Stringer’s depleted Wings team gave everything that they had, the quality the visitors had shone through.

Bees boss Dean Brennan was in no doubt they deserved their victory. “It was a tricky tie. Full credit to the Welling groundstaff for getting the pitch ready and getting the game on after all the rain that we have had,” he said.

“All credit must go to the players today. Attitude, professionalism, it was great to see our front two score. Steads [Callum Stead] could have had a goal as well. I’m delighted for Brunty [Zak Brunt]. I think that’s 17 goal involvements this season.

“Josh [Keeley] made a fantastic save in the first half and his attitude is spoton. Now we look forward to the draw.”

There were few chances in the early stages, the nearest being when Adam Thompson fired over for Barnet, but their opener was high-quality. Harry Pritchard’s through-ball put Gatlin O’Donkor in and he marked his debut with a brilliant finish into the roof of the net.

Their lead might have been short-lived when Josh Johnson’s shot was blocked into the path of Adam Roscrow, however Keeley made himself big and blocked the shot with an outstretched right foot.

The ball came out to Jason Adigun, whose follow-up flew just over.

After the break, Welling came out smartly and had a couple of half-chances before the Bees increased their lead when Reece Hall-Johnson sent Brunt through and he made no mistake with a clinical finish for 2-0.

Brunt was well off-target when hoping for a second before Adigun had a low shot saved at the other end. Stead should have done better when shooting into the side-netting, however the visitors scored again with 12 minutes remaining. Ben Coker made space down the left before crossing for Nicke Kabamba to head home for 3-0.

United manager Stringer would have liked to have progressed but knows the gulf between the two clubs meant it was always going to be difficult. He said “I’m really pleased with the lads.

“We had to work hard out there. We had a lot of tired legs. The boys gave us everything. We only had four (substitutes) on the bench. Considering the situation we were in today, we had 13 registered players who couldn’t play.

“We had seven cup-tied. We had another two who had been sent off in two of the league games and then we had four who were out injured.

“As long as we can get the players that we need, and keep the ones that are good enough for this level, put that performance in most league games, and hopefully we can start turning the corner.”

STAR MAN: Anthony Hartigan (Barnet) ATT: N/A ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Ruebyn Ricardo