BARNET FC (A) PREVIEW by Steve Harris

TT PREVIEW

Steve Harris – @steveharris84

Steve Harris previews the game at the Hive

BARNET FC V TORQUAY UNITED – NATIONAL LEAGUE

Venue: The Hive, Harrow

Date: Tuesday 19th November 2022

Kick-off: 3pm

CURRENT FORM

Barnet: D, L, D, W, W, W

Torquay: L, W, D, D, L, L

TOP SCORERS

Barnet: Nicke Kabamba (10)

Torquay: Will Goodwin/Aaron Jarvis (5 each)

HEAD TO HEAD

Barnet: 13

Draw: 12

Torquay: 12

BARNET FC FACTFILE

Year founded: 1888

Nickname: The Bees

Last season’s league finish: 22^nd in National League

Notable honours:

Football Conference/Blue Square Premier/National League:

Winners: 1990-91, 2004-05, 2014-15

MANAGER: DEAN BRENNAN

A familiar opponent of United’s from the 2018-19 National League South title winning season, Dean Brennan crossed paths with the Gulls twice during their National League South title winning season. Firstly, as manager of Hemel Hempstead and later while he managed Billericay Town.

Dublin-born Brennan first came to England with Sheffield Wednesday in 1999, where he impressed at youth and reserve team level but failed to break into the first team with the Owls. He then went on to make a handful of appearances for Luton Town before dropping down into the non-league scene. He had spells with a number of clubs, including Stevenage, Grays Athletic, Lewes, AFC Wimbledon, Cambridge City, Chesham United and Hemel Hempstead. While at Grays, he helped them to win the FA Trophy in 2005.

As a manager, Brennan took charge of Hemel Hempstead in 2012 – he had a brief caretaker spell in charge of the Tudors in 2010 – and led them to the Southern League title in the 2013-14 campaign.

After establishing Hemel Hempstead in National League South, Brennan was appointed as manager of Billericay Town by their then owner Glenn Tamplin in September 2018. He was later sacked after four months in charge. A brief stint as manager of Kingstonian followed before he took charge of the Stones, who he led to the National League South title in the 2019-20 season.

After leaving Wealdstone midway through the 2020-21 season, Brennan joined Barnet as Head of Football in the summer of 2021 and took over the managerial reins following the departure of Harry Kewell as manager.

PLAYER TO WATCH: BEN WYNTER

A player who needs no introduction to Torquay United fans, Ben Wynter joined the Gulls in the summer of 2018 following his release by Bromley. He went on to make the right back spot his own, as United ended the 2018-19 campaign as National League South champions; his late equaliser in a 3-3 draw away to fellow title contenders Woking in April 2019 proved to be pivotal in helping the Gulls clinch the title.

After United’s return to the National League, Wynter remained a key figure for the Gulls and was part of the side that reached the National League play-offs in the 2020-21 season, when they lost out to Hartlepool United before joining the Bees in the close season.

WYNTER STATS:

Position: Full Back

Date of Birth: 11th December 1997 – 24 Years Old

Birthplace: London

Height: 1.85m

Former Clubs: Crystal Palace, Bromley, Hampton & Richmond, Torquay United

NL Stats 22-23: Played 19, Goals Scored 2, Yellow/Red 3/0

OLD BOYS

Barnet: Ben Wynter

Torquay: Ross Marshall

LAST MEETING

TUFC 2 – 2 Barnet

19th February 2022

Torquay United’s hope of reaching the play-offs were dealt a blow after being pegged back by Barnet.

A virtuoso display from Connor Lemonheigh-Evans gave the Gulls a two-goal cushion before efforts from leading scorer Adam Marriott and Ephron Mason-Clark earned the Bees a share of the spoils.

The Gulls were rewarded for a positive start on nine minutes when Connor Lemonheigh-Evans found the target with a powerful drive.

Lemonheigh-Evans was denied a second by the reflexes of Bees keeper Aston Oxborough in the 24^th minute, after being teed up by Stephen Wearne.

Three minutes later, Lemonheigh-Evans completed his brace as he connected perfectly with a right wing cross from Stephen Duke-McKenna before slotting home.

In the 37^th minute, the Bees pulled one back as leading scorer Adam Marriott tapped home – which was followed by a brief stoppage due to a head injury to United defender Dean Moxey.

Barnet equalised on the hour mark when Ephron Mason-Clark capped off a superb flowing move as he curled an angled effort past Gulls keeper Shaun MacDonald.

With a minute to go, Armani Little curled a free-kick from the edge of the penalty area into the side netting for the Gulls.

Moments later, Barnet almost snatched a winner as they looked hit United on the counter attack as substitute Louis Walsh was denied by MacDonald before his fellow sub Daniel Powell fired over from the rebound.