Following last weeks win against Dover, United head to North London to face Barnet looking to extend their unbeaten run to four games
Who’s the Boss?
Dean Brennan has been Caretaker/Head Coach at The Hive since September. Brennan has led the Bees to four wins in his eight games in charge so far, including a 2-1 victory at Stockport County last month.
The former attacking midfielder’s managerial career has so far seen him at the helm at Hemel Hempstead, Billericay, Kingstonian and most recently Wealdstone. During his playing career Brennan made over 150 league appearances for the likes of Luton Town, Hitchin, Halesowen Town and Dunstable Town, scoring over 50 goals.
Player to Watch
Kian Flanagan has appeared regularly for Barnet this season and scored his first goal for the club in their recent 2-1 home win against Aldershot. Flanagan joined the Bees in the summer on a two year deal from Crystal Palace.
The 22-year-old had been at the Eagles since the age of 15 and had been appearing in the U23 set up since he was 17. He was a regular in the Palace Premier League 2 squad last season where he scored 4 goals from midfield in a successful final season for the club. The attacking midfielder has also represented the Republic of Ireland at U17, U18 and U19 level making eleven appearances to date.
Played for Both
A loan spell at Barnet – where he made 17 league appearances and scored 1 goal precluded his move to Plainmoor in 2013 where Krystian Pearce made 67 league appearances and scored 5 goals in a two year spell at United, having previously been at Port Vale, Scunthorpe and Notts County.
Upon leaving the Gulls Pearce joined Mansfield where he spent five seasons and made over 190 appearances, scoring 13 goals. After leaving Field Mill Krystian played for Solihull Moors and Boreham Wood before joining current club Hereford this summer in the National League North.
Pearce has also represented England at U17 and U19 levels but chose to represent Barbados at full international level where he has currently made three appearances for the country.
Previous Encounter
Barnet 0 – 2 Torquay United, 30th January 2021, National League.
United extended their lead at the top of the National League to ten points, following another away day success at Barnet. Ben Whitfield’s 8th minute strike gave Torquay an early lead, and after dominating the game for large periods, it was left to Jake Andrews to eventually put the gloss on another welcome three points for Gary Johnson’s men.
United did not have to wait long to take the lead on 8 minutes. After winning the ball in the centre of midfield, Hall announced his return in perfect fashion with a sublime defence-splitting pass that left Whitfield bearing down on goal with defenders in his wake and just the ‘keeper to beat. The United winger duly obliged in confident style from the edge of the box, firing a firm strike past Loach and into the bottom corner of the net to make it 1-0.
After dominating the first half, the second period started with Barnet applying some pressure before Torquay regained control creating many chances. However they had to wait till the 83rd minute to add the second goal when Adam Randell, whose composure on the ball belied his young years, held onto possession well before feeding Andrews 20 yards out, with the Torquay substitute driving the ball below Loach’s outstretched palm to double his side’s lead.