Match Preview
Barnet v Boreham Wood
Tuesday 3rd March 2020, 7.45pm
The Hive, National League
Tomorrow night, Boreham Wood make the short trip to The Hive where we will match up against local rivals Barnet in the Vanarama National League.
On their last time out, Barnet lost 2-1 at home to Halesowen Town in the Quarter Final of the FA Trophy after an extra time winner for Halesowen broke Bees dream of a day out at Wembley Stadium.
Whereas, Boreham Wood drew 1-1 at home against mid-table Hartlepool United on Saturday afternoon.
THE CONTEXT
Wood failed to bounce back with a win on Saturday after their 3-2 defeat against Aldershot Town in midweek, as they drew 1-1 against in form Hartlepool at Meadow Park.
It was a perfect start to the game for the home side as talisman Kabongo Tshimanga scored his 17th league goal of the season when he was in the right place at the right time to smash home from six yards out after a Matt Rhead header tipped onto the post by Pools stopper Ben Killip.
Wood dominated the game but couldn’t do enough to extend their lead which came back to hurt them later on, when Hartlepool scored an equaliser against the run of play early in the second half from Pool’s danger man Gime Toure.
Sorba Thomas had an amazing opportunity to restore his sides lead as he stepped up to a penalty in the 49th minute but failed to convert as Ben Killip saved well down to his right-hand side.
The Bees hosted BetVictor Southern Central side Halesowen Town in the Quarter Final of the FA Trophy in their last fixture. Despite holding a 1-0 advantage late in the game, an 85th minute equaliser from the step 4 side saw the game forced into extra time. Halesowen then completed their giant killing with a winner in the 109th minute seeing them to advance to the Semi Final of the Trophy.
BARNET RECENT FORM
Barnet come into this fixture in a good run of league form as they have just lost once in their previous 11 games in league proceedings.
Along with Boreham Wood, the Bees have the joint 4th best defensive record in the league conceding just 38 goals so far.
After having successful cup runs in both the FA Cup and the FA Trophy reaching the First Round Proper and Quarter Final respectively, Barnet find themselves having played significantly less games than the teams around them, and despite sitting in the bottom half of the table, if they win their games in hand they will find themselves in a play-off position.
BARNET PLAYER TO WATCH
Simeon Akinola, Forward
Simeon Akinola has a total of 14 goals so far this season in the National League and is our player to watch for Barnet in the match preview for this Tuesday’s away fixture.
The 27-year-old came through the renowned BW PASE Academy here at Meadow Park and went on to play for the first team 21 times, scoring twice, before signing for Harrow Borough in 2012.
Following a successful period with Harrow, Simeon would join Conference Premier side Braintree Town under Danny Cowley. This is where Simeon would make a name for himself and enter the radar of many Football League sides. During his time at Cressing Road, Simeon would make 104 appearances scoring 19 goals.
However, Braintree couldn’t keep hold of their prized possession and Simeon joined then Football League side Barnet for a reported £40,000 transfer fee on 1st January 2017, making his debut just days later against Plymouth Argyle.
Under a number of different Manager’s at the Hive, whilst suffering a string of frustrating injuries, Simeon had found it difficult to get a consistent run of games in the Barnet team. However, under current boss Darren Currie, Simeon has become a real focal point in the Bee’s attack and has seemingly led to Simeon return to his best form in a number of years.
LAST TIME WE MET
Boreham Wood 0-0 Barnet, National League, Wednesday 1st January 2020
The start to the year was a lacklustre one from both sides as neither caused much threat to each other on New Years Day, although our visitors arguably had the more clear cut chances. The best chance of the first half was when Barnet Midfielder Wesley Fonguck curled a long range effort onto the crossbar after Wood were caught out attempting to play the ball out from the back.
Wood’s best chance of the afternoon came from full back Kane Smith, who’s long range effort was denied acrobatically by Scott Loach when he tipped the shot round the post.
Barnet almost stole all three points late on with a couple of good chances. First Wood defender Danny Woodards denied Akinola with an outstanding block inside the Wood six yard box, then another former Wood player Mauro Vilhete headed narrowly wide from an Elliott Johnson cross which meant the game would end in a stalemate.
IN FOCUS: TOM CHAMPION
Tom Champion has been crucial for Luke Garrard in the back three this season and is our man in focus for this Tuesday’s match day preview.
Champion has featured in 32 of our 35 league games this season and has been a consistent leader for his side, setting a professional example both on and off the pitch.
The 31-year-old began his career at Watford as a youth team player before departing for Barnet to earn his first professional contract.
Tom’s opportunities at Underhill were limited, making just 7 appearances for the Bee’s before dropping into Non-League with Bishop’s Stortford and later Dartford.
A successful period at Dartford saw Tom earn a move to then Conference National side Cambridge United alongside Darts teammate Tom Bonner.
Champion had a notably successful spell at Cambridge United, where he completed the ‘Non-League double’, winning the National League and the FA Trophy in the same season.
‘Champs’ was part of the memorable Cambridge side that took Manchester Untied to a FA Cup Third Round replay and played at Old Trafford against some of the world’s best talents.
Born and raised in Barnet, Tom returned to Barnet for a second spell in 2015 on a two year deal making 57 appearances whilst scoring twice. At the end of the 2016/17 season, Tom’s contract at the Hive wasn’t renewed, much to the delight of former school classmate and now Manager at Boreham Wood Luke Garrard, who convinced Champion to join the Wood in June 2017.
MATCH DAY INFORMATION
Segregation
The match will be segregated, and Boreham Wood supporters will be located in Stand Sixty-Six A at the North end of the Hive.
Ticket Information
Tickets are available online in advance or on the day of the game. Prices are as follows: –
Adults – £20
Concessions – £13
Under 17’s – £5
Proof of age may be asked for at the turnstiles.
Online tickets are available to purchase by clicking here.
Please note: Should BWFC fans wish to use their tickets from one of the previously postponed fixtures they can do so, but we recommend they visit the ticket office at the Hive beforehand to ensure their ticket works at the turnstile.
Transport, Directions and Parking Facilities
The address & postcode for the ground is The Hive, Camrose Avenue, Edgware HA8 6AG.
Car parking at the ground costs £8. There is also car parking at Canons High School, Shaldon Road, HA8 6AN for £5.
The nearest station is Canons Park Underground station on the Jubilee line, which is a short 10-minute walk to the Stadium.
Buses 79, 186 & 240 go to Canons Park station and 288 goes to Camrose Avenue.
A taxi from Borehamwood town centre to the Hive costs £12, please call ABA Cars on 020 8386 6777.
Match Preview written By Joe Karadzas (Press Assistant)
