The Bees return to the Hive tonight for matchday two of the Vertu Trophy group stage, with Brighton U21s providing the test for Dean Brennan’s side.
Barnet:
The Bees come into tonight’s game off the back of a action-filled 1-1 stalemate away against Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park on Saturday.
A first-half Mark Shelton penalty was cancelled out by a second-half Michael Mellon spot-kick in a dramatic early kick-off.
Dean Brennan made only one change to the side that beat Grimsby Town at the Hive, with Oli Hawkins coming into the fold and operating in a defensive role.
The Bees had the advantage with only five minutes on the clock. A handball in the box saw the referee point to the spot and Mark Shelton calmly dispatched the ball past Mathew Hudson, much to the delight of the home fans booing the former Latics’ midfielder.
Dean Brennan’s side were frustrated not to have more than a one-goal advantage heading into the break, with chances falling for Adam Senior, Danny Collinge and Lee Ndlovu.
The hosts equalised from the spot early on in the second 45, with Michael Mellon slotting the ball past Slicker to level the score.
Slicker faced numerous one-on-one counter attacks from the Latics, in which he was able to deny every effort that came his way from the hosts.
The momentum switched late in the tie and the Bees thought they had the ball in the back of the net with a couple of minutes of normal time to go. Hartigan delivered a dangerous ball into the area and an Amber and black shirt got on the end of it to see the past Hudson in the hosts’ goal, but the referee waved away the goal shouts.
Barnet’s last five results:
Oldham Athletic 1-1 Barnet FC
Crewe Alexandra 1-2 Barnet FC
Barnet FC 1-3 Shrewsbury Town
Luton Town 4-1 Barnet FC (Vertu Trophy)
Barnet FC 1-1 Colchester
From the dugout:
Connor Smith’s pre-match interview can be viewed HERE!
Brighton U21s:
This will be the young seagull’s first outing in the competition this season, with their opening fixture against Cambridge United postponed due to the U’s involvement in the Carabao Cup.
The side currently sit sixth in the Premier League Two, with three wins, a draw and a loss so far in their campaign, their only defeat coming against Arsenal’s Academy.
The club’s most recent result saw them come from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 away in the capital against West Ham.
Shane Nti got the first goal early in the second-half, before a brace from Joe Belmont completed the comeback.
Six of the side’s 14 goals so far this campaign have come in the 84th minute or later.
Brighton u21s last five results:
West Ham u21s 3-3 Brighton u21s
Brighton u21s 3-1 Derby County u21s
Sutton United 1-2 Brighton u21s (National League Cup)
Arsenal u21s 1-0 Brighton u21s
Blackburn Rovers 0-4 Brighton u21s
In the opposition dugout:
The young seagulls are coached by Shannon Ruth, who took charge of the team in September 2022.
Ruth has help multiple positions in the academy on the South Coast, including senior professional development coach and lead academy goalkeeping coach.
Prior to his involvement with the seagulls, Ruth enjoyed goalkeeper coaching roles at Chelsea, Aldershot, Reading and West Brom.
One to watch:
A player to watch for the young seagulls will be midfielder Shane Nti. In the seagull’s set-up since turning a teenager, the young forward has already scored four and assisted three in five appearances.
Usually operating in a deeper role in midfield, this season Ruth has deployed Shane higher up the pitch, and it’s proving to be working excellently, with the youngster having a real eye for goal.
Whitchurch Lane Entrance Closed
Due to ground works being carried out on site, the Whitchurch Lane entrance (close to Canons Park Station) will be closed for the foreseeable future.
This is for both entry into and exit out of the site.
We ask supporters to use the Camrose Avenue entrance when entering and exiting The Hive London until the works are completed.
Supporters travelling by tube are advised to get off at Queensbury (Jubilee Line) and walk up Turner Road towards Camrose Avenue.
COYB