Hitchin Town vs Barnet

Barnet controlled the first half without being able to convert their dominance into a goal until the final minutes before the interval. Kabongo Tshimanga was at the heart of most of the Bees' best work, going close on several occasions — one effort flashed wide, another was sent over the bar from a good position, and a one-on-one opportunity was smothered by Hitchin goalkeeper Tyler McGregor.

Charlie Lakin was influential from midfield, delivering dangerous set-pieces and linking play in the final third. Idris Kanu danced through the Hitchin box but couldn't get a shot away, while Aaron Liwala tried his luck from distance.

The deadlock was broken shortly before half-time when Bright Siaw worked the ball into the box and finished cleanly past McGregor to give Barnet a 1-0 lead at the break.

Hitchin pushed for an equaliser after the restart. A close-range header from a corner flew over the crossbar with just over an hour played, and the hosts forced a sharp block from Barnet defender Nik Tavares after a defensive mistake.

Jack Maskell proved a handful for the Hitchin defence in the second half, getting into dangerous positions as he searched for his first Barnet goal. He had a shot saved by McGregor from a tight angle.

Barnet were awarded a penalty with around ten minutes remaining, but Trialist B saw his spot-kick saved by McGregor. The same Trialist B made amends minutes later, however, poking home from close range after Kane Smith teed him up to double the Bees' lead.

Siaw's opener just before half-time was decisive. Hitchin had grown into the first half, creating a corner through Kye Tearle and seeing Rio Deall force a defensive block, but the goal on the stroke of the interval shifted the momentum decisively in Barnet's favour. The visitors never looked back after that.

• Bright Siaw — Scored the crucial first goal just before half-time, working the ball into the box and finishing calmly. The midfielder's composure broke Hitchin's resistance.
• Kabongo Tshimanga — A constant threat in the first half despite failing to find the net. His movement and hold-up play created space for others, and he was unfortunate not to score.
• Tyler McGregor (Hitchin) — Kept the scoreline respectable with several smart saves, including a penalty stop from Trialist B. Could do little about either goal.

Barnet fielded entirely different XIs in each half — a common pre-season approach — meaning the first-half side built the platform and the second-half unit sealed the win. The Bees recorded back-to-back pre-season victories after an 8-3 behind-closed-doors win over Southall on 4 July, following a 4-1 defeat to MK Dons. Hitchin were competitive in spells but lacked the cutting edge in the final third that Barnet's higher-level quality provided.

This was Barnet's first ticketed pre-season friendly since winning the National League title in 2024/25. Dean Brennan's side now prepare for their Carabao Cup Round One tie against Cambridge United on 8 August, followed by the start of their League Two campaign. Hitchin Town face Luton Town at Top Field on 11 July in their next pre-season fixture.

A comfortable, professional pre-season win for Barnet against lower-league opposition. The Bees controlled the game from start to finish, and the scoreline could have been wider but for McGregor's penalty save. Plenty of trialists on show suggests Brennan is still assessing options ahead of the new season, but the defensive solidity and attacking intent were encouraging signs.