Barnet At The EBB Stadium On Boxing Day
Barnet are the Boxing Day visitors to the EBB Stadium (3.00pm) in a Coca-Cola League Two encounter.
Groundsman Andy Nunn has been on the playing surface on Christmas Day afternoon and advises that it is in excellent condition after the thaw and that there is no requirement for volunteers to attend on Boxing Day morning as previously stated. The club are thankful and fully appreciative to the large amount of volunteers who have already given up their time this week to help with the preparation to ensure that the match is played. You have made the difference. We wish all supporters a Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing you on Boxing Day afternoon.
As It Is
Anthony Charles is sidelined for a one match suspension against his old club after an unsuccessful appeal last week in attempting to overturn his dismissal at Burton Albion. Dave Winfield or Adam Hinshelwood are on standby. Marvin Morgan and Kirk Hudson are progressing but Boxing Day may be too soon for their return to first team action. Dean Howell did complete 90 minutes for the reserves last week; his first action of the season so far after recovering from a hip injury. If they are selected Lewis Chalmers and Winfield are in line for their 100th appearance for the club. Kevin Dillon has confirmed that Marlon Jackson has signed on a further month's loan deal from Bristol City.
Barnet have lost their last three matches including an FA Cup exit at home to Accrington Stanley. Their last league success was in late October at home to bottom of the table Darlington. The Hertfordshire side will have one familiar face in their squad with Sierra Leone born Ahmed Deen. A utility player when he arrived at Aldershot from Peterborough United he made 18 appearances for the club in the early part of the 2005/06 season before joining Fisher Athletic. He did score in the FA Cup first round 3-1 victory at Burnham.
An Aldershot View
"We will make changes on Saturday and we are forced to make one with the suspension of Anthony Charles. There were areas of the Burton Albion match that did not work. We analysed parts of our game that we know need to be improved. From our point of view we want to respond positively to the previous match. Looking at the results that we have had over the past six weeks the boys have been terrific and the Burton match was hopefully a one-off. We are still on course for what we are looking to achieve and we need to continue that. Barnet are a team that have progressed into the Conference and are now an established Football League club. It will be a tough game. They have had some decent results during the course of the season. It is a local game which is good considering that there are not too many southern teams in this division.
"In my short time here the fans have been fantastic. They are so respectful and passionate of the club and I wish them a Happy Christmas and look forward to seeing everybody on Boxing Day."
Kevin Dillon talking to The Shots Online
From The Other Side
"We showed a bit of character to get back into the game against Crewe and were on the front foot. Their keeper then kicks a straight ball down the pitch and yet again another mix up with our two centre backs and there you have it, we are 2-1 down and we didn't recover. Players have to take responsibility for their actions. We have a World Cup centre half in Gary Breen who coaches them and they have to start taking things on board or things may have to change. The silly mistakes have got to stop."
Ian Hendon speaking after the recent 2-1 Barnet home defeat versus Crewe Alexandra
Match Officials
Referee Darren Sheldrake is in his first season as a Football League Referee. He has officiated in 13 matches so far this season issuing 32 cautions and two red cards. He was in charge of the recent Wycombe Wanderers versus Stockport County Coca-Cola League One encounter at Adams Park. He will be assisted by Philip Knight and Tim Robinson. Carl Berry is the Fourth Official.
