Following Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Bromley, Aldershot Town return to the EBB Stadium on Tuesday evening to take on Barnet FC, with a 7pm kick off.
In association with LV BET, Rob Worrall previews the game:
Shots Squad:
Lewis Kinsella, Craig Tanner and Ross McCormack all continue to make good progress in their rehabilitation from long term injuries. Ricky Miller returned from the bench on Saturday and is pushing for a start soon.
Opposition:
Name: Barnet FC
Founded: 1888
Nickname: The Bees
Manager: Tim Flowers
Stadium: The Hive
2019/20 National League Final Position: 7th (on PPG) – lost at Play-Off Eliminator Stage
The Gaffer:
Tim Flowers took over as Barnet Manager in December 2020, following the departure of Peter Beadle after just four months in charge. Flowers, best known in recent years for leading Solihull Moors to the National League Play-Offs, is a former Premier League and England International Goalkeeper. Since his playing days, Flowers has held backroom positions at Leicester City, Manchester City, Northampton Town, Nottingham Forest and Fulham as Goalkeeping Coach. Prior to joining Solihull, Flowers he also held Assistant Manager roles at Coventry City, QPR, Hull City, Kidderminster Harriers.
Playing Squad:
With Flowers the third different boss at Barnet this season, there has, unsurprisingly, been a lot of player movement in and out of The Hive. The Bees lost the services of ex-Shots duo Cheye Alexander and Callum Reynolds even before they took part in the August 2020 play-offs, along with fellow Defenders, Dan Sweeney and Elliott Johnson. In the close season, last season’s top scorer, Simeon Akinola also moved on, as did Dan Sparkes, Ricardo Santos and Medi Elito.
12 players stayed, including skipper James Dunne, Keeper Scott Loach, Wes Fonguck, Joh Walker, Ephron Mason-Clark and Alfie Pavey. Beadle brought in the likes of Alexander McQueen (Dagenham), Michael Petrasso (was playing in Canada) and JJ Hooper (Wrexham).
Since his arrival at the club, Flowers has looked to strengthen the National League’s leakiest defence with the likes of; Liam Daly (Gloucester City), Ben Richards-Everton (Bradford City), Themis Kefalis (on loan from QPR) and Ben Nugent (Stevenage). He has also strengthened his midfield options with Anthony Wordsworth (AFC Wimbledon) and has brought in forward Courtney Baker-Richardson on loan from Barrow.
Form:
The Bees are currently on a run of 13 National League games without victory. That run has seen them pick up three 0-0 draws. On Saturday they kept runaway leaders down to just one goal until the dying minutes and on Tuesday evening, they will be keen to gain their first win since 13th October 2020.
Referee:
Tuesday’s referee is Tom Reeves. This season, he has taken charge of 8 National League matches, showing 32 Yellow Cards and 2 Red Cards.
Match Coverage:
The match will be streamed and available on ‘Shots TV Live’ HERE with Presenter Mark Butler, Commentator Rob Worrall and special guest Scott Rendell. BBC Radio Surrey Sport will also be covering the match with live online commentary available on the evening.
