With Barnet heading to Plainmoor for the second weekend running, United will need very little introduction to tomorrow’s opponents, as The Gulls go in search of three valuable points.
With The Bees coming out on time last time out, this time it’s a National League victory, rather than FA Trophy progression that’ll be occupying the thoughts of Gary Johnson’s men, who will be looking to earn a crucial victory in their quest to return to winning ways.
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?
Barnet have been one of the surprise packages of the 2022/23 campaign, with their record of 53 points from 29 games leaving them in 5th place, level on points with much-fancied Chesterfied.
Last Tuesday’s 4-1 defeat at Notts County ended an impressive eleven-match unbeaten run, however with 3rd place still very much up-for-grabs, a direct pathway through to the National League Play-Off sem-finals remains a realistic aim for North London side.
Player to Watch
With three goals in his opening two games – including both in their triumph at Plainmoor last Saturday – imposing striker Harry Smith could barely have made a better start to life with his current team, having recently joined on loan from EFL outfit Leyton Orient.
27 years old and 6ft 5in tall, Smith’s career began in relatively humble surroundings, with stints at non-League sides Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks Town, Sittingbourne and Folkstone Invicta eventually tempting Millwall to act. Following a handful of appearances and a temporary spell at Swindon, Harry moved on to Macclesfield, Northampton and Motherwell (loan), before heading to Orient, with another loan move to Exeter preceding his move to The Hive.
Played for Both
A recent injury put paid to former United defender Ben Wynter returning to Plainmoor last weekend, however the right-back remains a popular figure with the Yellow Army.
Having come through the ranks at Crystal Palace, moves to Bromley and Hampton & Richmond set the stage for Ben to head south to sign for a Gary Owers side rebuilding in National League South. The move worked out spectacularly for both parties, with a Gary Johnson inspired side eventually clinching the NLS title with three games to spare, thanks in no small part to Wynter’s last-gasp equaliser in the memorable 3-3 with fellow challengers Woking.
Returning to his London roots last summer, the England C man has wasted no time in gaining a whole host of new admirers, clocking up 28 league appearances, and 4 goals, prior to his lay-off.
Previous Encounter
Torquay 2 – 2 Barnet, Saturday 19th February 2022, National League.
There was frustration for United at Plainmoor last season, as Barnet came back from two goals down to salvage a draw.
There could be few complaints about the way Torquay started, as a double-strike from Connor Lemonheigh-Evans sent his side into a seemingly-comfortable advantage, however after Adam Marriott reduced the arrears in controversial circumstances, Ephron Mason-Clark levelled things up, leaving Gary Johnson’s side to settle for one point, rather than all three.
Torquay United v Barnet | Saturday 18th February 2023, 3pm | National League | Official TUFC Radio | Tickets