Times Sport
Barnet beaten 2-1 by Oxford United
9:38pm Tuesday 21st February 2012
Barnet suffered back-to-back league defeats for the first time since December as the Bees were beaten 2-1 at Oxford United.
Michael Hector had put the Bees ahead but they were pegged back just before half time as Scott Rendell headed home.
A James Constable strike from close range ten minutes after the restart put the U’s ahead and a missed Barnet penalty from Izale McLeod meant it was the hosts who took all three points.
Lawrie Sanchez made two changes to his side as Jordan Obita dropped to the bench. His spot was taken by Mark Byrne and Sam Deering moved to the left of midfield. Hector started the game at right-back in place of Sead Hajrovic.
It was an even start to the game and both sides created half chances without testing the goalkeepers.
The first shot on target in the match led to the first goal and it went the way of Barnet.
McLeod won a free-kick which was taken by Mark Byrne. The Oxford defence were expecting a cross but the midfielder cut the ball across the pitch to Hector whose shot went through a load of players and into the net.
The Oxford reaction was almost instantaneous as Peter Leven fired a free-kick just wide of Dean Brill’s left hand post.
The U’s grew into the half and Oli Johnson twice tested Brill from distance without really troubling the Barnet stopper.
Sanchez’s side struggled to create chances after going ahead and that allowed Oxford to take control.
Constable had found it difficult to get into the game but he showed his quality to force Brill into an awkward looking stop after shooting from distance.
In the weekend fixture against Shrewsbury Barnet conceded just before half time and they suffered the same fate as Oxford levelled.
Lee Holmes received the ball on the right flank, had time to take a touch and send a deep cross into the box.
The ball was over the Bees central defenders and Rendell got above Jack Saville at the back post to head past Brill and level the game at the break.
Sanchez made a change at the interval as Sead Hajrovic replaced Darren Dennehy. Michael Hector moved into the centre of defence.
The first shot of the second half went the way of the Bees as Sam Deering sent a effort well over the crossbar.
Rendell looked dangerous from set-pieces and he nearly grabbed his and Oxford’s second.
A free-kick was whipped in the Barnet box and the on loan Wycombe striker managed to escape Mark Hughes only to see his header tipped wide by Brill.
Sanchez bemoaned the amount of free-kicks his side give way in dangerous positions on Saturday so Oxford’s second goal will certainly have frustrated the Bees boss.
Leven sent a cross from the Barnet left flank into the six yard box and following a goalmouth scramble Constable turned the ball home from close range.
Barnet found it difficult to break down a well organised Oxford defence but Deering had a very good chance to draw the Bees level.
A pass across the pitch found the diminutive winger who took the ball down well on his chest only to rush his shot and fire wide.
It was a rare second half attack from Barnet as the hosts controlled the majority of the second half.
Leven again forced Brill into a good save before Constable skipped past two Bees’ defenders only to fire his shot straight into the Bees stopper.
Barnet hadn’t really threatened in the second period but they were given a fantastic opportunity to level the match as the Bees were awarded a penalty for a foul on Ricky Holmes.
McLeod stepped up and his spot kick was aimed towards the bottom right hand corner only for Ryan Clarke to save.
It was a moment that summed up Barnet’s evening as the Bees slipped to defeat.
The Bees will travel to Aldershot Town this Saturday as they look to bounce back from two league defeats in a row.
Oxford United: Clarke, Batt, Duberry, Wright, Wright, Constable, Whing, Johnson, Leven, Rendell, Davis, L. Holmes.
Oxford United substitutes: Tonkin, Brown, Wilson, .Worley, Kerrouche.
Barnet: Brill; Hector, Downing, Dennehy, Saville; Byrne, Hughes, Kamdjo, Deering; Holmes, McLeod.
Barnet substitutes: O’Brien, N’Diaye, Obita, Hajrovic, Mustoe.
Attendance: 5,848 (139)