Barnet will travel to the SMH Group Stadium, home to league leaders Chesterfield knowing all 3
points will put The Bees back on top of the National League table when the two sides meet on
Saturday (11th November, 15:00 KO).
points will put The Bees back on top of the National League table when the two sides meet on
Saturday (11th November, 15:00 KO).
So, What’s the Buzz?
It’s been a week of cup action for The Bees starting off with their away trip to Curzon Ashton in the first–round proper of The FA Cup last Saturday. Dean Brennan named a strong side in hopes of defeating the National League North side with 3 changes coming into the starting XI.
Idris Kanu and Sam Beard came back into the side but there was a debut for Connor Stevens after his loan spell at Hayes and Yeading ended last month.
Barnet took the lead in the 14th minute when Finley Potter found Nicke Kabamba who headed the ball home after a brilliant pass and move attack. The flow of the game would change though in the 43rd minute when debutant Stevens was shown a 2nd yellow, and The Bees went into the break one goal up but one man down. The second half was a test of Barnet’s resilience and one man stood out from the rest. Laurie Walker, who had a relatively simple first half, was called into action multiple times including an incredible save just after halftime when a spectacular effort was well dealt with from outside the box. Barnet defended superbly and held on for a 1–0 win and secured another away trip, this time to Newport County of League 2 in a second–round tie.
The second cup game of the week came at home to Broadfields United in the Middlesex Senior
Challenge Cup second round. Brennan saw this as a great chance to give some key players a rest
and other key players some crucial minutes under their belt as The Bees prepare for winter.
Courtney Senior scored the decisive goal to send Barnet into the Quarterfinals and brought a
successful cup week to an end.
Club Profile
Club Name: Chesterfield FC
Nickname: The Spireites
Founded: 1919
Ground: SMH Group Stadium
Manager: Paul Cook
League Position: 1st
Form: DWWWW
Opposition Report
Chesterfield has had a wonderful start to their campaign, recording 44 points from 17 games. The Spireites have been in fine form, just losing once in the league, and are unbeaten in their last 13 league matches. To add to their recent achievements, Chesterfield caused the biggest upset of the first–round proper of this year’s FA Cup, beating League One leaders Portsmouth 1–0 at home, with their fans hoping for another big win this weekend against The Bees. Unsurprisingly, the top two sides are also the two highest–scoring teams in the division so Bees and Spireites fans alike can expect plenty of goals and entertainment.
One to Watch: Will Grigg
The well–known Northern Irishman joined Chesterfield in the summer after leaving Milton Keynes Dons, reuniting with manager Paul Cook after their time at Wigan Athletic. The 32–year–old striker has been key to The Spireites in his short time at the club, scoring 9 goals in 17 games, with 8 of those contributing to the club’s push for promotion.
In the Dugout: Paul Cook
Cook is enjoying his second spell as the club’s manager after he took control of Chesterfield for
the first time back in 2012. The 56–year–old has bags of experience after spending almost 40
years in the game. His biggest accomplishments include one League One title with Wigan Athletic, two League 2 titles with Chesterfield and Portsmouth respectively, and is a 3–time cup winner over in Ireland with Sligo Rovers.
