Match Preview
Barnet v Boreham Wood
Thursday 26th December 2019, 3.00pm
The Hive Stadium, National League
On Boxing Day, Boreham Wood travel the short distance to Edgware to face local rivals Barnet at the Hive in the Vanarama National League.
In our recent fixture, Wood came out 2-1 winners at home against then 6th place Harrogate Town via a Kabongo Tshimanga injury time winner.
Whereas, Barnet secured an emphatic victory against Maidenhead United away from home where they won 4-1 after trailing 1-0 after half an hour.
THE CONTEXT
Late drama struck again as Wood made it eight games unbeaten in the National League when we won 2-1 at home against in form and high flying Harrogate Town.
Tyrone Marsh opened the scoring in the 14th minute for the Wood, arguably against the run of play. The in form striker now has got nine goals in the league so far for his side this season.
Harrogate then equalised in the 39th minute from a sublime goal from Alex Bradley. The Lincoln City loanee’s effort from 30 yards out curled in at that back post, past the outstretched arm of Wood stopper Nathan Ashmore.
Despite Harrogate’s dominance in possession, Wood spoiled their superb away performance with a devastating 93rd minute winner from Tshimanaga, who made sure that the Wood would come away with all three points and leapfrogged Harrogate in the league standings into the National League play off places.
Barnet went 1-0 down away to Maidenhead through a Josh Kelly opener in the 28th minute, but it wasn’t long before the away side got goals back and three came in quick succession for the Bees which turned the game completely to make it 3-1 after 47 minutes.
Barnet put the game to bed in the 93rd minute when Simeon Akinola converted from 12 yards to increase the deficit to three goals making it 4-1.
BARNET RECENT FORM
Barnet come into this fixture on the back of a comfortable 4-1 victory against Maidenhead United away from home in the National League.
The victory for the Bees saw their unbeaten run extended to four games, scoring an impressive 13 goals during this spell of good form.
Barnet sit 10th in the league standings but any victory for the hosts over a single goal means they will overtake the Wood in the league standings, as they currently trail the Wood by 3 points and 3 goals in terms of goal differential, albeit with a game in hand.
The Bees have scored an impressive 40 goals in 25 games in the league meaning just four sides have outscored them so far.
BARNET PLAYER TO WATCH
Simeon Akinola, Forward
Barnet’s top goal scorer Simeon Akinola has a total of 12 goals so far this season in the National League and is our player to watch for Barnet in the preview for this Saturdays away fixture.
Akinola has netted six times in his previous four games including an impressive brace for the Bees in their recent win against Maidenhead United.
The 27-year-old started his career here at Meadow Park, featuring for the Wood 21 times across a two-year spell netting twice before signing for Harrow Borough in 2012.
The Ex- Wood man signed for the Bees at the start of the 2017 campaign after an impressive period for Braintree Town under the management of now Huddlesfield Town boss Dan Cowley, with Barnet securing his signature in front of many other Football League sides.
LAST TIME WE MET
Barnet 1-1 Boreham Wood, National League, The Hive, 1st Jan 2019
Wood followed up a Boxing Day win against their local rivals with a share of the points at the Hive on New Years Day last season.
Ephron Mason-Clark broke the deadlock in the 68th minute when he fired into the top corner form just outside the box.
Sorba Thomas was then fouled in the 85th minute and Wood substitute Bradley Ash converted from 12 yards to make it 1-1 meaning the sides would leave The Hive with a point a piece.
IN FOCUS: KABONGO TSHIMANGA
Kabongo Tshimanga scored his 14th goal of the season during Saturday’s 2-1 win against Harrogate and is our player in focus for this Saturday’s match day preview.
Tshimanga signed for the Wood at start of this season after impressing for National League South side Oxford City where he scored a total of 37 goals in all competitions and has proved to be a revelation at Meadow Park and at National League level since stepping up in the summer.
After scoring an eye catching hattrick in the FA Cup last season for Oxford City against Tranmere Rovers, ‘Kabs’ attracted a lot of attention from several clubs at Football League and National League levels but decided Meadow Park was the right place for him to come and play his football.
The 22-year-old is currently the 3rd top scorer in the league standings and will be hoping to continue his bright form against rivals Barnet this coming Saturday.
MATCH DAY INFORMATION
Away fans travelling to the Hive are instructed that they will be housed in the Stand 66. Barnet FC operate at pre-purchasing system online for fans who wants to purchase their tickets in advance, click here.
Admission Prices: –
Adult £20.00
Concession £13.00
Under 17 £5.00
Match preview written by Joe Karadzas (Press Assistant)
