Back to back wins against Dartford in the league have sent the Bees to 6th in the Skrill Premier, tucked in closely behind the play off places in time for the crucial festive season. But before the round of Christmas league fixtures Barnet first have to contend with a tricky looking tie against Grimsby Town in the second round of the FA Trophy. Of course in between those two wins against the Darts Barnet saw off Hayes & Yeading United in the first round, with George Sykes getting the only goal late on. It was John Nurse’s turn to bag the winner against Dartford at the weekend and it is likely he will lead the attack this Saturday too, with Hyde, Lopez, Crawford, Sykes and Mengerink all out injured (that’s a lot of goals in the treatment room!). Paul Fairclough said what a boost it will be to get some of those strikers back playing for the Bees, likening their return to the equivalent of new signings, and I can only echo those sentiments.

Intriguingly there could be extra time against the Mariners on Saturday should the scores remain level after 90 minutes, but if after extra time it is still all square the tie will go to a replay (there won’t be penalties on the day). Every chance then for Barnet fans to get their money’s worth of festive football at the Hive on Saturday! You would imagine that neither team would fancy the prospect of a replay to add to the already congested looking festive fixture list, so a result over 90 minutes or 120 minutes seems likely on the last game to be played at The Hive this side of Christmas.

Following the FA Trophy game the Bees have an away trip in Hyde followed by a Boxing Day clash against Luton at hone. Weather permitting I am making the trip up to greater Manchester on the 21st to back the boys in black and amber! As Stack says with some of our strikers shortly to return from injury we should be looking to turn some of the draws we have been getting over the course of the season in to wins. Let’s hope by the time Santa is ready for his Christmas Eve deliveries the Bees have got a third round tie in the FA Trophy to look forward to and are coming back from Greater Manchester with another 3 points in the bag. Of course there are no easy games at this level, least of all cup games or wintery away trips, but Barnet players would give their fans something to cheer if they manage to get 2 wins under their belts before Christmas!