Key Points
- Barnet have not won a domestic game since their 2-0 victory over Tranmere Rovers on October 11.
- The last five league fixtures include four draws and one loss.
- Callum Stead scored the opener for Barnet in the 17th minute, assisted by Idris Kanu.
- Bradley Dack equalised for Gillingham with a free kick just before half-time.
- The match ended 1-1, with both teams creating chances but lacking clinical finishing.
- Barnet manager Simon Brennan praised his team’s strong mindset and performance despite the draw.
- Brennan criticised the referee’s foul call that led to Gillingham’s equaliser but acknowledged Dack’s quality.
- Stead continues to be a key player for Barnet, nearing double figures in goals this season.
- Barnet will return home to face Harrogate in their next League Two match.
What happened in the Barnet vs. Gillingham match?
As reported by Simon Medcalf of the club’s official website, Barnet secured an early lead against Gillingham thanks to Callum Stead. Stead opened the scoring in the 17th minute by stretching out his leg to turn home a precise cross from Idris Kanu, giving Barnet an advantage.
However, prior to the half-time whistle, Gillingham’s Bradley Dack, a former Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United forward, levelled the score with a well-executed free kick that beat Barnet’s goalkeeper Cieran Slicker “all ends up,” as described by Medcalf.
The remainder of the match saw both sides struggle to find the decisive goal. Despite several chances, a lack of ruthlessness in front of goal meant the game finished in a 1-1 draw.
How did Simon Brennan evaluate his team’s performance after the match?
Simon Brennan shared his thoughts with the club website after the match, highlighting Barnet’s early dominance. Brennan said,
“I think our dominance in the first 40 minutes – we never managed to get a second goal or create a big enough lead when we deserved it. That’s probably cost us the 3 points today.”
He also commented on the quality of Gillingham’s equalising free kick:
“To be fair to their lad [Dack], he’s scored an unbelievable free kick.”
Brennan raised concerns about the refereeing standards during the game, particularly the foul that led to the free kick, stating:
“I thought the benchmark from the officials today was quite high. To give a foul for that leading to Dack’s goal at the end of the day, I think it’s a soft foul. The bar was raised for fouling today.”
Regarding the second half, Brennan praised his squad’s resilience:
“In the second half I thought we dug in. We fought well without really creating anything ourselves, but I don’t think they Gillingham really created anything either, to be totally honest. Throughout the whole game, I don’t think they had any chances.”
Who stood out for Barnet in the match?
Callum Stead’s goal was a crucial moment for Barnet and reinforced his importance to Simon Brennan’s squad. Medcalf noted that Stead’s acrobatic finish added to his tally this EFL season, making it his third goal.
Brennan commented on Stead’s scoring chances and ongoing development, joking,
“His expected goals xG is extremely high this year. If he met them, he’d be playing in the Premier League.”
He continued,
“He keeps getting chances. He keeps working hard, and he’s working hard on his game.”
Highlighting the importance of players continuously improving, Brennan said,
“I say that to the players all the time. You’ve got to work on your game. You’ve got one player working on his game and the other one not. He knows who that is, and they know what the situation is there.”
How challenging is Gillingham as an opponent, according to Brennan?
Brennan acknowledged Gillingham’s physical and competitive style, describing the match environment:
“It’s a tough place to come. They Gillingham make contacts, and they’re up and at you. They make contact on your back line, and they are extremely hard to play against.”
He added,
“The pitch is so tight here, and the supporters get behind them.”
Considering this, Brennan expressed pride in Barnet’s performance away from home:
“To come here and put in the performance that we did, which is another strong performance. I think the last four and a half performances have been really strong.”
What are Barnet’s next fixtures following this result?
Barnet will return to their home ground, the Hive, this weekend. They will host Harrogate in their next League Two match on Saturday at 3 pm, as noted in the post-match coverage.
This fixture marks a return after two consecutive away games, providing Barnet the chance to build on their recent string of strong performances and aim for a return to winning ways.
