Dean Brennan heaps praise on impressive Barnet after win against Accrington

Barnet manager Dean Brennan was full of praise for his side’s performance in their 2-0 home win over Accrington.

Callum Stead opened the scoring after 21 minutes, finding himself in the right place at the right time to poke the ball home.

Ryan Glover sealed the three points in the second half with a well-struck left-footed finish.

“A very strong performance and we scored at good times,” said Brennan. “I’m proud of our application and the way we played on the front foot, showing real fight and spirit in tricky conditions.

“Accrington made it a good game and came at us in spells – they could have equalised.

“We were in the same position at half-time last week and I asked the players to raise it just a little to make sure we got over the line. They did that in the second half with their attitude, and the changes we had to make due to injury – everyone played their part.”

On Stead’s contribution, he added: “He should have had a hat-trick. There’s a reason I always play him and never take him off — that tells you everything. He epitomises what I’m about as a person and what we are as a team. He’s hard-working and honest and he brought that today. He took his goal really well.

“There’s no coincidence we’re winning football matches – we’re getting key players back.”

John Doolan admitted his Accrington side must be more clinical in front of goal after missing a series of chances to take something from the game.

“Barnet were clinical in both boxes,” he said. “Before they scored their second goal we had four or five real chances to do what they did and be clinical in the box…and it wasn’t the case.

“The opportunities we created were pleasing, the manner we played and went about with the flow of the game by getting bodies in the penalty area.

“Isaac Heath was unplayable and created chances for us to give our lads the chance to put the ball in the back of the net and we didn’t take them.

“When you get the ball in certain areas, we have to take our chances. We have worked on cutbacks, crosses and our finishing.

“Funnily enough, our finishing was excellent on Friday in training. But we have to put this into execution when it really matters the most and apply what we practised during the week. It can be frustrating at times.

“We have to make it count…and scoring goals does that, which is as simple as that.”