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Barnet Preview

By: Richard Hubbert
Date: 10/03/2006

IT’S back to Blundell Park again this weekend as the Mariners look to make it three home wins on the bounce against a Barnet side hovering near the foot of the table.

Home > 2005-2006 Season > Previews > Barnet (h)


The Opposition

Overview
The Bees got back in the football league in 2005 after a four-year absence. They won the Conference title in style last season, enjoying a twelve point lead over their nearest rivals, Hereford. Interestingly, they finished above and 13 points above Carlisle, whom are now riding high in League Two. Barnet, under the stewardship of Paul Fairclough (left) have had a less spectacular season. Currently in 18th place, the Bees have been just below the half waypoint in the league for most of the campaign. Scoring goals has been their main problem – particularly away from home, only Boston have scored less on their travels. They will be hoping for a few more wins before the end of the season to secure their league status.

Their Squad
Ismael Yakubu is generally agreed to be one of the most promising youngsters in the lower leagues. The 20 year old made his debut for the club when he was just 18 and has been a permanent fixture in their defence since then. Midfielder Nick Bailey was instrumental in their promotion last year and is a handful in the midfield, netting 8 goals this term. In attack, Tresor Kandol was recently snapped up from Dagenham and Redbridge. Kandol had a spell on loan with Darlington earlier this season, but Paul Fairclough paid £50,000 in January to take him to Underhill. In just five appearances, the ex-Luton striker has netted three goals. Vying for a place alongside Kandol will be fast striker Jason Norville, and joint leading scorer Giuliano Grazioli (left), who will be hoping to return from injury.

Key Player
Andy Hessenthaler. 40-year-old midfielder whom Town fans have seen grace Blundell Park several times during the last few decades. Hessenthaler was player/manager at Gillingham until his sacking last season, but he continued to play for the Gills. He also had a loan spell with Hull City at the end of last term. He was snapped up on a free in January to add some much needed experience to a young Barnet side. Despite his advancing years, he can still pick out a quality pass – something the Town midfield need to snuff out.

Recent Form

TownBarnet
DRushden(a)1-1
WChester(h)1-0
LMansfield(a)1-2
WBoston(h)1-0
WNotts Co(a)1-0
Currently 3rd in League Two.
DWrexham(h)2-2
DLeyton Orient(a)0-0
LCarlisle(h)1-2
DBury(a)0-0
LLincoln(a)2-3
Currently 18th in League Two.

Top Scorers

TownBarnet
Michael Reddy13
Gary Jones8
Drewe Broughton6
Phil Gulliver 4

Team News

TownBarnet

  • Defender Rob Jones will miss the next two matches through suspension after receiving a red card after the game at Rushden last week

  • Justin Whittle is expected to take his place in the back line for the first time since January 2nd alongside Ben Futcher.

  • John McDermott is hoping to shrug off the shin injury he picked up at Rushden last week. Despite several stitches, he is optimistic he can make it. If not, Gary Croft will replace him at right back

  • Once again, manager Russell Slade has the option of tinkering things in midfield, with Andy Parkinson, Junior Mendes and Marc Goodfellow all starting on the bench last week and vying for a starting place down the flanks.
  • Barnet skipper Ian Hendon will miss the game due to a “freak” foot injury sustained when he dropped a plate on his foot at home. On loan Charlton player Barry Fuller could be moved to right back despite playing in midfield in recent games. This could mean Dean Sinclair moves up from the bench into the midfield.

  • Regular number one goalkeeper Ross Flitney has returned to training after recovering from mumps. However, the loan spell of West Ham keeper Matt Reed has been extended and he looks to retain his place in the side. Therefore Flitney may have to settle for a place on the bench.

  • Better news for the Bees is that joint top scorer Giuliano Grazioli should return after missing the Wrexham and Leyton Orient games through concussion. He will hope to return to the starting eleven, but Fairclough will have to decide whether to drop Jason Norville, after the ex-Watford man netted in his last outing against Wrexham.
  • Probable Teams

    TownBarnet
    1Steve Mildenhall
    2John McDermott
    3Tom Newey
    4Ben Futcher
    6Justin Whittle
    8Paul Bolland
    32Curtis Woodhouse
    15Gary Cohen
    18Ciaran Toner
    19Gary Jones
    9Michael Reddy
    28Matt Reed
    23Barry Fuller
    6Anthony Charlesv
    14Ismail Yakubu
    16Simon Clist
    10Ben Strevens
    8Dean Sinclair
    25Andy Hessenthaler
    2Nick Bailey
    18Tresor Kandol
    9Giuliano Grazioli

    Subs

    TownBarnet
    7JPK Kalala
    10Marc Goodfellow
    31Junior Mendes
    11Andy Parkinson
    20Gary Croft
    20Jason Norville
    1Ross Flitney
    7Liam Hatch
    17Dwane Lee
    24Paolo Vernazza

    Head to Head

    Town have a faultless record against Barnet! Although this has more to do with the fact that the two sides have only met once in a competitive fixture, that being back in August.

    P 1 W 1 D 0 L 0 F 1 A 0

    Barnet Head-to-Head (Not on The Opposition Ladder)

    Last Meeting

    Town condemned Barnet to their first defeat of the season at the end of August when a solitary Calvin Andrew goal gave Town all three points at Underhill. The hosts spoilt an array of chances in the first half, only to see Andrew (now on loan at Bristol City) net just after half time. The Mariners held on for all three points, despite having Paul Bolland sent off for two bookable offences.

    Grimsby Team: Mildenhall, Whittle, Ramsden (Croft, 73), Robert Jones, McDermott, Kamudimba Kalala, Bolland (sent off 88),Parkinson, Newey (Andrew, 45), Reddy (Gritton, 45), Gary Jones
    Subs (not used): Downey, Barwick

    Barnet Team: Tynan, Hendon (Batt, 81), King, Charles, Gross (Roache, 86), Strevens (Hatch, 66), Bailey, Lee, Sinclair, Graham, Grazioli
    Subs: (not used) Flitney,Bowditch

    Attendance: 2,447    Report

    Prediction

    Another 1-0 win for Town!

    Recent Predictions

    GamePredictionScorePoints
    Rushden2-11-10
    Mansfield3-11-20
    Boston1-01-03
    Notts Co2-11-01
    Mansfield3-02-11
    Carlisle0-01-20
    Wrexham0-02-10
    Lincoln1-03-01
    Bury1-02-11
    Bristol R1-00-10
    Reader's POMs

    Directions

    Click on the link for directions to Blundell Park (left).

    Admission Prices

    Click on the link for ticket prices to Blundell Park.

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