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MATCH PREVIEW: Shots v Barnet (H)

WHO ARE THE SHOTS PLAYING?

Aldershot are looking to bounce back as Barnet visit the EBB on Saturday. Otherwise known as “The Bees”, Barnet are currently sat third in the National League having dropped points in just two of their opening six games. Founded in 1888, Barnet currently play their games at The Hive and are currently in their fifth successive season in the National League.

HOW DID THEY DO LAST SEASON?

Barnet finished 18th last season with 50 points, scoring 59 goals and conceding 89. The Bees’ 50 points meant they finished seven points ahead of the Shots and 16 points off the drop.

Barnet were knocked out of both FA cup competitions by Boreham Wood last season. The Wood got the better of The Bees in the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup and the third round of the FA Trophy.

HOW DID WE GET ON AGAINST THEM LAST SEASON?

Barnet got the better of Aldershot on both occasions when the sides met last season. A Robert Hall 86th minute winner handed them a 2-1 victory at the Hive. The return fixture saw Barnet score 3 goals before the hour to take a 3-0 lead before a Tommy Willard 93rd minute consolation to end the game 3-1.

WHOS THEIR GAFFER?

Current Barnet gaffer is former Hitchin Town and Grays Athletic player Dean Brennan. Aged 42, Brennan has managed five different teams during his managing career, which started in 2010. Brennan was appointed caretaker manager of Hemel Hempstead in 2010, but left for Dunstable Town in 2011, where he had a player/manager role.

His first official managerial role came in 2012, when he re-joined Hemel Hempstead. Two successful seasons with Hemel Hempstead saw Brennan lose out on promotion in the Southern Premier League Playoff Final on penalties in his first season, and then win the Southern Premier League by 10 points in his second.

Brennan went on to manage Billericay Town, Kingstonian and Wealdstone between 2018-2021 before joining his current club Barnet. Brennan originally joined as Head of Football at Barnet with Harry Kewell being in charge, but Kewell was sacked in September 2021, and Brennan became coach on a temporary basis. He was made permanent coach in February 2022, and has remained in his role since.

BARNET SQUAD UPDATE:

Like a lot of teams in the division, Barnet have had a big squad overhaul this summer, with 16 players going out and 13 players coming in. Former Football League pair Nicke Kabamba and Laurie Walker have come in from Northampton and Stevenage to strengthen up top and in goal. Jamar Loza, formerly of Woking, joins Kabamba in Barnet’s attacking signings, having also played together at Woking last season. Moussa Diarra also made the switch from Woking to Barnet, with Barnet doing most of their business from fellow National League clubs.

Connor Smith, Dale Gorman, Jerome Okimo, Harry Pritchard, Michael Phillips and Ben Wynter, have arrived from Boreham Wood, Yeovil, Wealdstone, Eastleigh, Maidstone and Torquay. Former National League side Dover Athletic also saw their defender Danny Collinge signed by the Bees, following Dover’s relegation last season. Rounding up the business for Barnet is Sean Shields, Marvin Armstrong, Louis Walsh, Aymen Azaze and Sam Granville from Weymouth, Worthington, Beaconsfield, and Bedford Town.

Sam Granville, Aymen Azaze and Louis Walsh left on loan back to Bedford Town and Beaconsfield. Barnet also let Teddy Howe, Joe Widdowson and Jake Askew leave as free agents, with Jamie Turley retiring at the end of last season. Ephron Mason-Clark made the biggest jump of any Barnet departures, leaving for Peterborough of League One following 163 appearances for Barnet. Ben Richards-Everton, Harry Taylor, Adam Marriott, Antonis Vasiliou and Wesley Fognuck all joined in departing the Bees.

AN EX-SHOTS?

Barnet have two ex-Shots, both of whom signed for the club this summer. New ‘keeper Laurie Walker made 10 appearances for Aldershot in the 21/22 campaign, conceding 14 goals and keeping 3 clean sheet in the time he spent at the EBB.

Striker Nicke Kabamba was at Aldershot during the 17/18 National League season, making 10 appearances during the regular season and once in the Playoffs, scoring three times overall.

HOW TO GET TICKETS:

As Shots are at the EBB this weekend, you can get tickets on the club’s website HERE, or if you wish to, tickets will be available from the club shop and can be purchased on matchday, and are priced:

  • Adult: £20
  • Disabled: £16
  • Military personnel: £16
  • Senior (over 65): £16
  • Junior (u17): £7

HOW TO FOLLOW THE GAME:

The best place for live updates is Shots official Twitter @OfficialShots, and you can catch up with highlights of the game on the Aldershot YouTube channel HERE after the final whistle has gone.

There will be live BBC Surrey Sport online commentary of the game with Rob Worrall and a guest summariser.