MATCH PREVIEW | BROMLEY

It’s London derby day this Saturday (3pm) as Barnet travel to Hayes Lane to take on Bromley in the EFL Sky Bet League 2.

Barnet FC:

Barnets return to EFL football last weekend ended in defeat, as the Bees suffered a 2-0 lost at home to Fleetwood Town.

Barnet started brightly, controlling possession and creating early chances.

Idris Kanu forced a smart save from Jay Lynch in the 10th minute, and shortly after, Ryan Glover’s long-range strike was deflected into the net by Danny Collinge, only to be ruled out for offside.

The Bees looked the better side throughout the first half but were punished for a defensive mistake when goalkeeper Owen Evans was caught out, allowing Will Davies to score into an empty net.

Trailing 1-0 at the break, Barnet came out with energy in the second half.

Joe Hugill had a quick chance but shot straight at the keeper.

Moments later, Fleetwood doubled their lead as Elliot Bonds reacted first to a rebound, slotting home from close range.

Barnet introduced several substitutes in a bid to spark a comeback, with Kanu continuing to impress on the wings.

Scott High saw a deflected long-range effort go wide, and Dennis Adeniran had a late chance, but Fleetwood’s defence held on to secure a 2-0 win at The Hive.

Barnet’s last five results:

Barnet FC 0-2 Fleetwood Town

Barnet FC 2-2 Newport County (Carabao Cup, Newport win 4-2 on penalties)

Barnet FC 1-1 Wycombe Wanderers (Pre-Season Fixture)

Barnet FC 2-0 Leyton Orient (Pre-Season Fixture)

Barnet FC 1-3 Crystal Palace U21 (Pre-Season Fixture)

From the dugout:

Manager Dean Brennan’s pre-match interview can be viewed HERE!

Bromley:

Bromley faced Shrewsbury Town last weekend in their opening match of the 2025/26 campaign, which resulted in a 0-0 draw at the Croud Meadow Stadium.

The Ravens started brightly in the match and had the ball in the net inside five minutes, with Marcus Dinanga converting from close range, only for the goal to be ruled offside.

Kyle Cameron and Mitch Pinnock linked up well early on, and Bromley created several chances in the first half.

There was a delay during the first half which saw the assistant referee picking up an injury, requiring a qualified fan to step in and adding 17 minutes of stoppage time before the break.

Despite controlling large spells of the first half and testing former Bees loan keeper Toby Savin, Bromley couldn’t make the breakthrough.

The second half was quieter, though Dinanga went close again, and Deji Elerewe saw a header from a Pinnock corner saved.

After a promising performance on the road, Bromley picked up their first point of the season.

Bromley’s last five results:

Shrewsbury 0-0 Bromley

Bromley 1-2 Millwall (Pre-Season Friendly)

Bromley 2-2 Crystal Palace (Pre-Season Friendly)

Bromley 1-2 Rotherham (Pre-Season Friendly)

Bromley 5-2 Tottenham (Pre-Season Friendly)

In the opposition dugout:

Bromley manager Andy Woodman will be in the home dugout for the Ravens this Saturday, with his assistant Steve Aris alongside him.

Since taking charge in March 2021, Andy Woodman has transformed Bromley FC, taking the club from the National League football to the EFL, after winning the play-off final on penalties against Solihull Moors in the 2024/24.

The former Arsenal goalkeeping coach also guided the Ravens to a historic win at Wembley in 2022, as they lifted the FA Trophy, after beating Wrexham 1-0.

As Bromley prepare for their second season in the Football League, Woodman’s impact continues to shape what has been a new era at Hayes Lane.

Ones to watch:

Bromley forward Michael Cheek was one of the standout players for The Ravens last season.

Scoring 25 goals and getting 7 assists in 45 league games, he also featured in the EFL League 2 Team of the Season at the end of the campaign.

Cheek has also represented the club as captain in 14 league games last season, alongside centre back Byron Webster.

Last time these two sides met:

The Bees last faced Bromley in the Vanarama National League in April 2024, when Barnet hosted The Ravens in a 1-1 draw at The Hive Stadium.

Bromley started on the front foot, with Ben Krauhaus forcing an early save from Josh Keeley in the 3rd minute.

Michael Cheek also went close after latching onto a ball over the top, but Keeley again kept Barnet level with a crucial stop.

Barnet grew into the game, with Nicke Kabamba and Dale Gorman both going close.

The Bees eventually broke the deadlock in the 57th minute, after a trademark long throw from Jordan Cropper found Callum Stead, whose clever footwork allowed him to pick out Idris Kanu at the back post.

Kanu made no mistake, finishing from close range to give the Bees the lead.

Bromley responded well and found their equaliser in the 75th minute through substitute Louis Dennis.

Despite both sides pushing for a second goal, neither could find a decisive breakthrough.

As Barnet head into their first away game of the 2025/26 season, Dean Brennan and his Bees will be wanting to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat to Fleetwood Town and get their first three points of the season.