MATCH PREVIEW: BARNET (H)

Boreham Wood v Barnet FC
Saturday 2 September 2023, 3.00pm
Mangata Pay UK Stadium, Vanarama National League

PREVIEW

Derby day is nearly upon us as we welcome Barnet to the Mangata Pay UK Stadium Meadow Park. After a disappointing bank holiday Monday result away to Oxford City, Luke Garrard will be looking for a strong reaction from his squad tomorrow against an in-form Barnet side that currently sit 2^nd in the Vanarama National League

Another good summer of recruiting took place for Barnet in the Summer as they brought in the likes of Ben Coker, Sam Barrett, Reece Hall Johnson, and Zak Brunt all of which add quality to a side that finished 5^th in the National League last year.

Their top scorer from last year Nicke Kabamba has also started this season in similar form to last campaign having already scored five goals in his opening six games, he is someone that the Wood back line will need to try and contain tomorrow afternoon.

FORM GUIDE

Boreham Wood- W-L-D-D-L

Last Saturday saw us take on Oldham Athletic with an injury depleted squad, with only four players named on the bench. Despite that the Wood looked to take the game to Oldham and had many good spells throughout the game, unfortunately the Wood couldn’t find a goal and the game ended 0-0

Barnet – W-D-W-L-W

Barnet have had a very strong start to the season winning four games drawing one and losing one. Their first draw of the season came against Eastleigh after being 3-0 up in the first 30 a valiant second half comeback from the Spitfires ensured Barnet dropped points for the first time in the season.

However, they responded emphatically when they welcomed Woking the following Saturday and secured a 2-0 win thanks to a Zak Brunt brace.

The Bees were dealt their first loss of the season against Dagenham & Redbridge last Saturday after a late own goal from Nicke Kabamba. However, they responded on the bank holiday Monday against Ebbsfleet winning 3-2 with Nicke Kabamba scoring a hattrick and leaving the Bees in 2^nd place with 13 points in their opening six games

PLAYED FOR BOTH?

Zak Brunt was with the Wood last season on loan from Sheffield United, he made a total of 49 appearances last year scoring three times and was a key figure in last season’s FA cup run and reaching the play-off semi-final against Notts County. Brunt also picked up the young player of the year award at the end of season awards night.

Zak Brunt signed for Barnet this season and has already started to showcase his quality, scoring a brace against Woking with the second goal being a brilliant curling finish into the top corner from outside the area. He is someone that Luke and the squad will know very well and will have to try and keep him quiet tomorrow afternoon.