Attention shifts to the Isuzu FA Trophy on Saturday as Gary Johnson’s side take on Barnet with a quarter-final place awaiting the winner.
The highest ranked team remaining in the Trophy, Dean Brennan’s Barnet provide Gary Johnson’s side with their next test. With the winners of Saturday’s tie finding themselves two games away from Wembley, it’s sure to be a closely contested battle.
Who’s the Boss?
Dean Brennan was already Barnet’s Head of Football when he went on to combine the role with managerial duties following the dismissal of the sides previous manager Harry Kewell in September 2021. It was announced that Dean has extended his contract with the Bees last month with the deal seeing the Irishman remain at The Hive until June 2026 continuing his role as Head of Football alongside managing the Bees first team.
As a player, Brennan represented a number of clubs including the likes of Stevenage, Grays Athletic and Hemel Hempstead. After his retirement in 2012, a six year stint in the dugout at Hemel Hempstead followed with much success as the side won promotion to the sixth tier of English football for the first time as well as reaching the National League South play-offs in 2017/18. It was at Vauxhall Road Dean enjoyed over 300 matches at the helm.
Following his departure from The Tudors, brief stints at Billericay and Kingstonian followed before Brennan moved on to enjoy a successful period managing Wealdstone. He guided the Stones to promotion into the National League from the National League South with his side being promoted as Champions during the curtailed 2019/20 season.
How have they been doing?
Unbeaten in the league since hosting Southend United on 1st November 2022, Dean Brennan’s Barnet side have been on an impressive run of form. The Bees have won their last four matches and currently occupy 4th position in the National League. The London side also have the league’s current third top goalscorer, Nicke Kabamba, who has scored 17 goals so far this season, with only Paul Mullin (Wrexham) and Macaulay Langstaff (Notts County) having scored more.
Player to Watch
Ryan De Havilland arrived at Barnet in October 2021 on a long-term deal. Predominantly a central midfielder, the 22-year-old spent 11 years in the youth system at Fulham during which he made three first-team appearances for the side in the EFL Trophy. Ryan regularly featured in the Cottagers under-18s and under-23s sides and went on to make 25 appearances in Premier League 2 scoring two goals.
De Havilland spent a brief stint on loan with Metropolitan Police before being snapped up by Brennan in the autumn of 2021 following his release by Fulham. Taking shirt number 33, the 22-year-old slotted seamlessly into Barnet’s midfield and has been a key component in the sides recent run of good form. With two goals in the last four, including the second in the Bees 2-0 victory over Solihull Moors to set up the weekend’s Isuzu FA Trophy tie for the side at Plainmoor.
Played for Both
Ross Marshall arrived at Plainmoor from Stevenage over the summer after enjoying a successful period on loan with Barnet last season. The defender’s debut for the Bees was the sides 2-2 draw with United last February before Marshall went on to make 16 appearances for the Bees.
The 23-year-old began his career at Ipswich Town alongside fellow United players Brett McGavin and Dylan Crowe before a move to National League South side Maidstone United preceded his return into the English Football League with Stevenage where he went on to make 27 appearances.
Barnet’s Trophy Run So Far…
Dean Brennan’s side entered the competition with all of the other National League sides at the Third Round Proper stage and were drawn against Plymouth Parkway at The Hive in December. The Bees target-man Kabamba had a number of chances to put the hosts ahead but the Parkway defence stood firm. In the second half Danny Collinge thought he had put Barnet ahead but the goal was chalked off, when it looked as if the tie was going to a penalty shootout, Daniel Powell struck a last minute winner to see the side progress with a 1-0 victory.
In the Fourth Round Proper, the London side hit the road to face fellow National League side Solihull Moors. In a closely fought encounter it was a goal in each half which proved enough for Brennan’s side to progress. One minute before the end of the half, Harry Pritchard’s strike found the top corner to ensure the London side went into the interval with a 1-0 advantage. De Havilland got himself onto the scoresheet on 80 minutes with a curling strike securing the side their spot in the Fifth Round Proper.
Torquay United v Barnet | Saturday 11th February 2023, 3pm | Isuzu FA Trophy | Official TUFC Radio | Tickets