The Bees are back on the road tomorrow as they travel to Essex to face Colchester United in matchday 33 of the 2025/26 Sky Bet League Two season.
Dean Brennan’s side have picked up only a point from a possible six over the past week, with Saturday’s goalless draw against Cheltenham Town followed by a narrow defeat at the hands of Swindon Town.
Adam Senior’s sensational strike in the opening stages got the Bees off to a flying start, despite Swindon coming at them from the first whistle, but missed opportunities either side of half-time, with Nnamdi Ofoborh hitting the post and Mark Shelton guiding an effort wide, allowed Ian Holloway’s side to get back into the game.
Robins’ captain Ollie Clarke equalised on 50 minutes from a throw in, before giving his side the lead just over ten minutes later.
Barnet’s last five results:
Barnet FC 1-2 Swindon Town
Barnet 0-0 Cheltenham Town
Walsall 1-3 Barnet FC
Barnet FC 1-1 Crewe Alexandra
Shrewsbury Town 0-0 Barnet FC
Colchester United:
The U’s currently sit one place and one point below the Bees heading into tomorrow’s tie and have only managed one win in their last five games.
The Essex outfit finished 10th in the 2024/25 campaign and were teetering on the play-offs and find themselves in a similar position a year later, sitting six points below seventh with 15 games of their season remaining.
On Tuesday night, Danny Cowley’s side picked up a point on the road against a Cambridge United side who sit third in the table and have only lost once since late October.
Kelland Watts got on the scoresheet three minutes into the game at the Cledara Abbey Stadium, with Jack Payne heading home the equaliser on half an hour in the East Anglian Derby.
There was no more goalmouth action for either side in the second 45, despite both teams creating numerous opportunities in the final third, with Romeo Akachukwu hitting the bar for the Us.
Danny Cowley described his side’s defensive display that afternoon as being full of energy and intensity.
Colchester United’s last five results:
Cambridge United 1-1 Colchester United
Barrow AFC 1-0 Colchester United
Colchester United 2-0 Shrewsbury Town
Crewe Alexandra 1-0 Colchester
Colchester United 0-1 Grimsby Town
In the opposition’s dugout:
Danny Cowley and his brother Nick have been in charge of the U’s for over two years now and after having missed out on the play-offs in their first full season in charge, they’re hoping to guide the club into that top seven come May.
The 47-year-old reinforced his squad with three loans in the January transfer window. 19-year-old attacking midfielder Romeo Akachukwu from Southampton has featured in all three games since linking up with the U’s, starting the clash with Cambridge United, with his incredible versatility proving key for Cowley’s selection.
Right-back Fin Back has started twice since joining on loan from Wycombe Wanderers and defensive midfielder has featured in three games since his introduction from Championship side Ipswhich Town.
Danny praised the Bees’ ability to adapt to games and play in different ways in his pre-match interview and believes that both sides have put in performances that have warranted more points but haven’t been clinical enough at the top end of the pitch.
One to watch:
The U’s front four from their last outing have a combined 21 goals and 15 assists, with Kyreece Lisbie contributing a large proportion of those from on the flank.
The 22-year-old operates primarily as a right-winger and is thriving in his first full season with Colchester United, where his dad, Kevin, once played.
Lisbie scored his first goal for the club on the opening day of the season and his since gone from strength to strength.
The youngster’s initial shot set up Jack Payne for the rebound in the 1-1 draw at Cambridge United on Tuesday night, with his athleticism and pace making him a nuisance for opposition goalkeepers, jumping and pressing constantly and always in the right place if a mistake is made, so he can pounce on it.
Danny Cowley confirmed that the club rejected a seven-figure bid for the forward last month, but Lisbie remained in Essex for the remainder of the campaign, with no doubt that when the summer window rolls around, he will be wanted higher up the food chain.
Last time the two sides met:
When the two sides met in August, the Bees had come off the back of two wins on the road, following three consecutive losses in the opening games of the campaign, while the U’s had one won, drawn two and lost two.
Jack Tucker opened the scoring for the visitors early in the tie and could’ve doubled his side’s lead, but Cieran Slicker was there to save.
The Bees took control of the game in the second-half and came close through Ryan Glover and Ollie Kensdale, but it took till the 90th minute for a black and amber shirt to find the back of the net, when Danny Collinge fired home a deserved equaliser.
COYB