The Bees make the short trip to Kent tomorrow to face Gillingham in matchday 17 of the 2025/26 Sky Bet League Two campaign, looking to extend their unbeaten run on the road to eight games.
Barnet:
Dean Brennan’s side played out their first 0-0 draw of the season last time out away at Cambridge United at the Cledara Abbey Stadium.
The opening 20 minutes of the first-half presented little opportunity for either side in front of goal, although both Adam Senior and Idris Kanu hit the target with tame efforts that didn’t trouble Jake Eastwood in the U’s net.
The final stages of the first 45 and the opening moments of the second saw the Bees in total control of the tie, but nothing to show for their dominance as the game remained goalless.
Both Senior and Lee Ndlovu took chances following the restart, the first which forced Eastwood into making a great save, with our number nine’s effort ending up in the side netting.
The momentum then swung in the hosts’ favour, with Cieran Slicker being bought into the action to make a couple of important saves, but no one was able to find the back of the net during the 90.
Barnet’s last five results:
Cambridge United 0-0 Barnet FC
Barnet FC 2-2 MK Dons
Fleetwood Town 2-1 Barnet FC (FA Cup R1)
Barrow AFC 2-2 Barnet FC
Barnet FC 3-2 Cambridge United (Vertu Trophy)
From the dugout:
Connor Smith’s pre-match interview can be viewed HERE!
Gillingham:
The Gills sit seventh in the Sky Bet League Two table and have recorded seven wins, five draws and four losses so far this campaign.
The Kent club’s most recent meeting was at home against Crawley Town, a side who sit 20th in the division and have struggled since dropping down from League One.
Top goal-scorer Bradley Dack opened the scoring for the hosts in added time during the first-half, with Crawley responding shortly after the restart.
The score was only level for three minutes before the Gills took the lead for a second time through Robbie McKenzie who struck from the penalty spot to give his side the upper hand.
Crawley equalised again with less than ten minutes to go and Gillingham had to settle for a point at the Priestfield Stadium, which leaves them still searching for their first three points at home since September.
Gillingham FC’s last five results:
Gillingham FC 2-2 Crawley Town
Gillingham FC 0-3 Wycombe Wanderers (Vertu Trophy)
Bristol Rovers 0-1 Gillingham FC
Newport County 2 (4)-2 (3) Gillingham FC (FA Cup)
Gillingham FC 1-2 Salford City
In the opposition dugout:
The Gills play under the guidance of 52-year-old Gareth Ainsworth, who took charge of the club in March this year before the conclusion of the 2024/25 season.
Ainsworth’s first coaching experience occurred when he accepted a player-coach role during his time at Queens Park Rangers, before moving to Wycombe Wanderers where he in total had a 14-year association with the Buckinghamshire Club, which started as a player, before he retired as a professional and then lead promotions from League Two to the Championship.
Short stints followed in a return to QPR and Shrewsbury Town, before joining the Gills in March.
Ainsworth’s sides are known for not controlling much of the possession in games and priding themselves in their attack-minded, high pressing football.
The Gill’s Head Coach is also known for building squads out of tight budgets and utilising players that have been overlooked by other managers.
One to watch:
A standout player for the Gills this season has been Matt Clark. The 29-year-old has been operating mainly at left-back, where he’s scored and assisted twice, with his qualities allowing him to sit on the left side of the midfield.
The Hull-born defender has made over 300 career appearances and has contributed 39 goal contributions, with many of his seasons being played in League Two, whilst also experiencing time in the Eredivisie.
The is enjoying his football at the minute after initially being dropped by previous manager John Coleman when he first came in but worked incredibly hard to become a regular again before Coleman was relieved of his duties.
Clark fits the profile of how Ainsworth likes his team to play; attack-minded and aggressive and is a proven winner with previous club Stevenage.
Last time the two sides met:
The two sides last met competitively 13 years ago, with Barnet beating the Gills away from home in a Boxing Day fixture in 2012. Jake Hyde scored early in the tie, with his powerful strike proving the difference as the Bees beat the Gills, who were the League Two leaders at the time.
COYB