News

Club started their pre-season schedule with a behind closed doors friendly at the Hive on the last Saturday of June, giving an excellent showing battling against National League Champions Barnet, losing 5-1 in a game that did not shame the World’s First.

With the thermometer topping out at 33°c, Sheffield more than held their own in the first half, more than matching a starting 11 which included a mix of first team and trialist players.

The Bees took the lead on 22 minutes through a very fortunate set of events, the visiting keeper doing excellently to block a close range shot from Mark Shelton, only to see the ball rebound out to the striker’s chest and bounce back over the line to make it 1-0.

Barnet had the luxury of switching the entire eleven at half time, introducing what could almost be considered to be manager Dean Brennan’s first choice line-up, so it was always going to be a struggle for the tiring away side who could only had the option of four substitutes.

It took just 12 minutes for the hosts to double their lead, a through ball from skipper Anthony Hartigan found Ryan Glover in space, allowing the midfielder to take his time to place the ball beyond Jim Pollard.

Seconds later it was 3-0, as straight from the kick off Club were dispossessed in their own half, allowing Barnet’s trialist centre-forward to take the ball on and finish with ease.

Just after the hour the Bees grabbed a fourth, Zak Brunt’s set play combination with Ryan Glover found defender Romoney Crichlow unmarked at the back post, who in turn tapped it into the net from inches out.

The fifth goal came on 70 minutes, Glover again making space on the left before inviting Mani Osadebe to try his luck from just inside the area, with his curling effort leaving Pollard with no chance.

Club got a consolation ten minutes from time, Joe West showing great vision from a tight angled free-kick, curling the ball in beyond the curiously placed Barnet keeper to tie up the scoring.