MATCH PREVIEW: Barnet

WHO ARE THE SHOTS PLAYING?

The Shots are back on the road in the National League, looking to add to the 2-0 win and clean sheet enjoyed on the sides previous National League away day in Fylde. Aldershot are now unbeaten in two league games, and have conceded just one goal in a 2-0 win over Fylde and a 1-1 draw at home to Gateshead.

Looking to stop them from making it three unbeaten is Barnet. Based in North London, the Bees were founded in 1888, making them 135 years old, and are in their sixth consecutive season in the National League, after they dropped out of the Football League on goal difference in 2017/18.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

The Shots and the Bees both enjoyed the taste of victory in this fixture in 2022/23, with the home side prevailing in either fixture. The first meeting at the EBB early in the season was one to remember for the Shots, as a good performance was rewarded by two late strikes from Inih Effiong and Tommy Willard to give Aldershot all the points in a 3-1 win.

The reverse fixture in February this year was a day to forget for the Shots, although it seemed as though the game was hanging in the balance when Ryan Glover levelled the score just before the hour mark – however, Barnet would go on to win the game 4-1.

HOW DID THEY DO LAST SEASON?

Barnet qualified for last seasons playoffs after a 5th place finish in the National League, but their season didn’t get a fairytale ending, as Boreham Wood denied them a place in the playoff semi-final after a 2-1 win at the Hive.

It was another case of getting close, but not close enough, in the FA Trophy for the Bees, as they went all the way to the semi-finals of that competition, but were denied a shot at silverware and a day at Wembley as Gateshead knocked them out on penalties. Barnet made a good account of themselves in the FA Cup, making it to the second round proper, but were eliminated by Football League side Accrington Stanley.

23/24 SO FAR:

Barnet have made an impressive start to the 2023/24 season, tasting defeat only twice in the opening nine games of the season. They are coming off the back of a defeat at Rochdale, but were on a three game winning run before they faced the Dale. They have dropped points on just two other occasions this season, losing to Dagenham and drawing to Eastleigh, and have won their other six fixtures this season.

While Barnet themselves are not on top of the league, Nickie Kabamba is on top of the National League Top Scorer’s chart, having found the net eight times in nine games, striking at a rate of 0.92 goals per 90 so far this campaign.

IN THE DUGOUT:

In the dugout for Barnet at the minute is Irish manager Dean Brennan. Brennan has been in charge of the Bees since 2021, having previously spent managerial spells at Hemel Hempstead, Billericay Town, Kingstonian and most recently Wealdstone before he made the jump across London to the Hive. The former Stones boss was originally appointed Head of Football at Barnet, but following Harry Kewell’s sacking in September 2021, Brennan took on the role, and last season was awarded the Manager of the Month award in December and given a new contract until 2026 by Barnet.

TICKET INFO:

Tickets and more info is available HERE, and the tickets are priced as follows: