Fixture Details:
Barnet FC v Boreham Wood FC
Tuesday 3rd March 2020
19:45
The Hive London
Vanarama National League
The Bees
Manager: Darren Currie
Form: WWLWL
League Position: 13th Position (49 Points)
Top Scorer: Simeon Akinola (16 goals)
The Bees were left disappointed after Saturdays FA Trophy fixture against Halesowen Town finished in defeat after extra time, bringing to an end a promising cup run. Josh Walker broke the deadlock in the 65th minute as the ball was crossed into the six-yard box and turned in from close range. However, Luke Yates equalised late on in the game meaning that it had to continue through to extra-time where Simeon Cobourne scored the winner for the away side.
With their attention now turning back to league action, the Bees will be looking to snatch a big three points off of their local rivals Boreham Wood FC who themselves will be hoping to occupy one of the play-off places come the end of the season.
Although only 13th in the table, the Bees have up to five games in hand over the teams currently in the play-off places and are only five points off of 7th, indicating that a good run of results could see Darren Currie’s side finishing the season in the top 7.
The Wood
Manager: Luke Garrard
Form: DWWLD
League Position: 4th Position (56 Points)
Top Scorer: Kabongo Tshimanga (17 goals)
The Wood have so far had a very positive season that has seen them go from finishing just above the relegation zone last season, to a side looking able to finish in one of the desired play-off places this year.
Before their away defeat to Aldershot Town last Tuesday, the Wood had gone eight games unbeaten in the league and still remain unbeaten at home in the league since October, which has led to their rise up the table.
Their last fixture on Saturday saw Luke Garrard’s side draw to Hartlepool United having started very quickly in that game with top scorer Kabongo Tshimanga scoring within the first minute. It wasn’t to be however as Hartlepool responded nearly just as quickly in the second half through Gime Toure’s 47th-minute equaliser.
The Gaffer: Luke Garrard
Luke Garrard’s football career started with Tottenham Hotspur before being signed as an apprentice at Swindon Town and made his professional debut against Oldham Athletic. After leaving Swindon, Garrard had spells at Bishops Stortford, Boreham Wood and Northwood all before signing for AFC Wimbledon where he became a fan favourite and made over 100 appearances for the club. In 2010, Garrard re-joined Boreham Wood on a permanent basis and stayed there for the remainder of his playing career before being appointed as first-team manager in 2015.
Since then, Garrard has guided Boreham Wood through the National League and in 2018, reached the play-off final where they narrowly missed out on promotion to the football league after losing 2-1 to Tranmere Rovers.
Top Scorer: Kabongo Tshimanga
Kabongo Tshimanga has become a fans favourite during his short time at the Wood where he signed during the summer of 2019. The number 9 has scored 17 goals in the league this season, making him the fourth top goalscorer in the league.
Tshimanga started his career at youth level with MK Dons and had a number of loan spells at clubs including but not limited to Aldershot Town, Corby Town and Chesham United before signing permanently for Boston United. At the end of his contract, the young forward opted to sign for Oxford City where he finished as top scorer, scoring 29 goals in all competitions and was the recipient of both the Supporters’ and Players’ Player of the Season awards and then in July 2019, the Wood secured his signature.
Where to follow the action
If you’re not coming to The Hive, then there will be full match commentary with Sam Avery and Adam Rowe from 19:40.
Alternatively, you can receive live text updates over on Twitter and there’ll be all the behind the scenes content on our Instagram channel.
