The Fleet will aim for a Bank Holiday six-pointer, following a hugely enjoyable victory against Kidderminster in Part I of the long weekend and a win at The Hive would be the first time this season a back-to-back victory would be claimed, writes Katie Humphris. After a good start to the season, Barnet go into this match a little disheartened after suffering their first defeat at Dagenham.
Form Guide
Before Saturday, Barnet sat top of the National League, undefeated. However, the short trip to Dagenham turned sour as they suffered their first defeat of the season – Nicke Kabamba scoring the only goal of the match in his own net in the 83rd minute. Prior to this, it was three wins in four, the only match they dropped points being a trip to Eastleigh when the spoils were shared. Despite Saturday’s disappointing result, Barnet still remain undefeated at The Hive and have remained so in the National League since February.
Head to head
The last time the Fleet made the trip to The Hive was back in November 2019 on a Tuesday evening which saw Barnet victorious as they sailed to a 5-2 win. Despite equalising twice during the match, courtesy of Ayo Obilye and Gozie Ugwu, Simeon Akinola’s het-trick along with strikes from Jack Taylor and Josh Walker left the Fleet empty handed and bottom of the table. Earlier on in that season, when Ebbsfleet United hosted Barnet, the hosts secured a 3-0 victory – Obileye on the scoresheet once again, along with Myles Weston and Alex Reid. During the 2018/19 season, the Reds claimed the double over Monday’s opponents which included a 3-0 victory at The Hive which saw Mark Cousins in goal for Barnet.
Who’s who
Shot stopper Laurie Walker stands 6ft 5in and has made 47 appearances for the Bees since he signed for the club in 2022. The former MK Dons keeper may not have made an appearance for the League 1 side but during his spell at the club, he was loaned out to a number of clubs including the likes of Aldershot, Oldham and Hemel Hempstead. Just in front of Walker will be former England Youth international, Danny Collinge.
The 25 year old signed for the North London club in 2022 following a one-year spell at Dover Athletic. The defender has made 40 appearances for Barnet – making his way on to the scoresheet four times, three of which have come this season, making him Barnet’s top goalscorer of the 2023/24 campaign. Summer signing Zak Brunt will look to run the midfield and continue his scoring form as he picked up his first and second goal for his new team against Woking. The 21 year old is familiar with the National League following two separate loan deals last season with Notts County and Boreham Wood to follow. Up front is Nicke Kabamba. The former Aldershot loanee scored in the 2018 play-off eliminator, when the Fleet secured a spot in the semi-final in dramatic fashion. Five years later, Kabamba will face the Fleet once more.
The manager
Dean Brennan will be in the home dugout on Monday and has been manager for Barnet since 2021. He managed his 100th match for Bees against Dagenham and has a 43% win record for the North London club. Before taking the reins at Barnet, Brennan was in charge of Wealdstone and his most notable managerial spell was his time at Hemel Hempstead Town, where he took charge of 312 matches for the Tudors. He was also in charge at Billericay Town.
Club connections
Fleet keeper Mark Cousins made 44 appearances for Monday’s opponents but he isn’t the only familiar face at Barnet. Shaq Coulthirst also had a successful spell at Barnet – from 2017-20. Coulthirst made 81 appearances for the Bees, scoring 23 times. Laurie Walker and Toby Edser also made one appearance together in their time at Aldershot Town.
