After extending their impressive run at Dover last weekend, United’s players return home tomorrow to take on Barnet at Plainmoor.
The recent resurgence of Gary Johnson’s men has seen them rise up to 11th place in the National League, and although that is remarkable progress following a testing start to 2021/22, there remains plenty of work to be done before The Gulls can begin to dream of a second-successive promotion push.
Who’s the boss?
Having initially been installed as interim Head Coach following the dismissal of previous boss Harry Kewell in September, Irishman Dean Brennan this week took the step of announcing to supporters that he would be stepping back from his role as Head of Football at The Hive, to fully focus on his permanent position as Barnet boss.
As a player, Brennan represented a whole host of clubs – predominantly in non-League circles – including the likes of Stevenage, Grays and Hemel Hempstead. Upon his retirement in 2012, Dean took his place in the dugout at the latter, with his six-year spell at Vauxhall Road seeing them win promotion to the sixth tier of English football for the first time.
Brief spells at Billericay and Kingstonian followed, before another promotion at Wealdstone saw the club earn a place at non-League’s top table after a truncated 2019/20 campaign.
How have they been doing?
Barnet’s early-season record of just two points from their opening seven fixtures would ultimately cost previous manager Kewell his job, however The Bees have made steady progress under Brennan’s stewardship since, replacing fears of a relegation battle with hopes of a strong mid-table finish. Although the North London side remain in 19th place, a nine-point buffer between themselves at Weymouth in 21st does provide them with some degree of comfort, with only three points in the opposite direction separating them from Eastleigh in 14th.
Despite their last two outings ending in defeat at home to Wealdstone (1-3), and away to Notts County (6-1), they did secure an eye-catching 2-1 win over current leaders Stockport back in October, as well as coming out on top against Torquay the following month (2-1), despite Armani Little’s second-half leveller at The Hive.
Player to watch
Experienced striker Adam Marriott has been the principle goal threat for Barnet this term, notching seven goals in all competitions since joining the Club from divisional rivals Eastleigh in the summer.
After struggling to establish himself as a youngster in Cambridge United’s line-up, a temporary-then-permanent move to neighbours Cambridge City saw him display his goalscoring prowess at a lower level, with his 57 strikes in 69 appearances prompting Stevenage to come calling in 2014 for an undisclosed fee. Moves to Lincoln City, Royston and Boston followed, before the Brandon-born frontman rediscovered his prolific touch in the colours of King’s Lynn Town.
Played for both
A popular player for both clubs, winger Dan Sparkes began his career as a teammate of current Gulls favourite Danny Wright at Histon, before a productive spell at Braintree heralded a move to Plainmoor in August 2016. Six goals in 35 appearances – including a vital last-gasp winner at Solihull – played a large part in helping Kevin Nicholson’s side secure their National League status with little to spare.
A return to the capital wasn’t to be too far away though, initially to Dagenham & Redbridge, before arriving at The Hive twelve months later. His switch to Barnet lasted two years, before he then went on to join Maidenhead in time for 2020/21.
Previous encounter
Torquay United 3 – 2 Barnet, Tuesday 16th April 2013, League Two
You have to go back nine years for United’s last home win against Barnet, as the men in yellow secured a memorable 3-2 at Plainmoor, in a match that went a long way to determining the league status of both sides. With Alan Knill’s men, like their counterparts, battling to retain their Football League status following a turbulent 2012/13, the presence of former Holland, Ajax and AC Milan midfielder Edgar Davids in the Barnet line-up was a moment to remember for all present, however it didn’t quite match the elation the Yellow Army greeted the full-time whistle with, after their side secured a crucial 3-2 success.
A first-half strike from Elliot Benyon saw The Gulls ahead at the break, before the first of two Jake Hyde goals saw the visitors level things up just short of the hour-mark. Parity was to be short-lived though, as Billy Bodin restored United’s advantage two minutes later. A third goal from Brian Saah looked to have safely secured all three points for Knill’s men, however when Hyde struck again with thirteen minutes remaining, a nervy finale was in store. United’s resilience eventually saw them through, and after gaining four more points in their final two fixtures, Torquay eventually secured their status with a 3-3 draw at home to Bristol Rovers, whilst Barnet were the ones to suffer last-day relegation following a 2-0 defeat at Northampton.