Barnet strengthened their grip on the Vanarama National League title race with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Rochdale at Crown Oil Arena. First-half efforts from Callum Stead and Rhys Browne put Barnet in control before Dom Telford and Ryan Glover struck after the interval, as the league leaders effectively capitalized on Forest Green and York both dropping points on Saturday.
The Bees, who had previously moved seven points clear with a 3-1 win over second-placed York, kicked off swiftly, taking just four minutes to open the scoring as Stead slotted home his 11th league goal of the season after claiming possession inside the Dale area. The home crowd was momentarily silenced as Toby Savin made a superb save from Ryan East, keeping Barnet's lead intact.
Just before half-time, Barnet doubled their advantage when Browne found the net, sending the visitors to the dressing room with momentum on their side. The excitement continued after the break, with Telford replacing Lindokuhle Ndlovu and needing only six minutes to make his presence felt, expertly heading home from a free-kick to stretch the lead to 3-0.
Late on, Glover put the cherry on the cake with another fine finish, firing past Sam Waller to round off the 4-0 rout. Under the guidance of Dean Brennan, Barnet now stands unbeaten since October, having secured their seventh win from the last eight matches—an impressive run pitting them firmly at the top of the table.
Meanwhile, Southend fought hard but settled for a 1-1 draw against Tamworth, disappointing their hopes to close the gap on the playoff spots. The hosts took the lead early on as Kennedy Digie converted from close range within the first eight minutes, expertly positioned following Callum Cockerill-Mollett’s interception of Nathan Tshikuna’s free-kick.
Southend, competing for playoff positions, finally found their response eight minutes after the break. Gus Scott-Morriss netted his 14th goal of the season to level the game. With Altrincham losing to Fylde, Southend could have capitalized on this and edged within three points of the playoff positions but were unable to turn the momentum to their advantage and extend their point tally.
Lastly, Aldershot came away with three precious points as they achieved a dramatic 3-2 victory over Hartlepool, marked by Josh Barrett’s stoppage-time winner. The encounter unfolded with Hartlepool taking the lead courtesy of Tyler Frost, who inadvertently turned the ball past his goalkeeper after 20 minutes.
Aldershot responded after half-time, with Maxwell Mullins equalizing after capitalizing on David Ferguson's error. The home team then surged ahead with Callum Hargreaves extending their lead just seven minutes later. The visitors fought back again as Mani Dieseruvwe scored to level the match at 2-2 with ten minutes remaining.
Just when it seemed like both teams would settle for the points, Barrett made his mark with the final goal deep in injury time, converting from Jack Barham’s header across the goal. This late drama proved pivotal, providing Aldershot with much-needed points as they battle to escape relegation.
These three matches not only highlight the competitive nature of the Vanarama National League but also set the stage for thrilling contests as teams jockey for position as the season progresses. With Barnet leading, Southend and Aldershot’s struggles and triumphs demonstrate the rollercoaster of emotions experienced each week. Fans can only anticipate what more the league has to offer as the pressure intensifies with each matchday.