The Bees return to the Hive tomorrow for matchday six of the 2025/26 Sky Bet League Two season, welcoming Colchester United as the visitors in a 3pm kick-off.
Barnet:
The Bees enter this weekend’s fixture after a positive week of results, securing six points from a possible six on the road against Swindon Town and Cheltenham Town.
Late goals from super subs Emmanuel Osadebe and Dennis Adeniran secured a 2-0 victory over Ian Holloway’s side in the Southwest, followed by a match-winner from Oli Hawkins for the second consecutive win away from home against a struggling Cheltenham side.
Cieran Slicker kept two clean sheets and performances full of grit and determination till the final whistle helped Dean Brennan’s side to add points to their tally, with the Bees now sitting 15th going into tomorrow’s game.
The Bees will be without Osadebe for the next three Sky Bet League Two fixtures following his red card in the 78th minute of Saturday’s game at Whaddon Road.
Barnet’s last five results:
Cheltenham Town 0-1 Barnet FC
Swindon Town 0-2 Barnet FC
Barnet FC 1-2 Walsall
Bromley 2-0 Barnet FC
Barnet FC 0-2 Fleetwood Town
From the dugout:
Connor Smith’s pre-match interview can be viewed HERE!
Colchester United:
The U’s sit two places below the Bees in 17th heading into tomorrow’s tie, with a win, two draws and two losses from their opening five games.
Coming into the game off the back of two straight home defeats, Danny Cowley’s side will be desperate to make it up to their fans away from home.
The Essex-based club were 1-0 down inside ten minutes at home to Barrow and despite the hosts creating a flurry of chances through Samson Tovide, Arthur Read and Jack Payne, Colchester couldn’t find an equaliser before the break.
The Bluebirds made sure they were leaving the JobServe Community Stadium with all three points when they doubled their lead against the run of play on the 72nd minute.
Despite having 66% of possession, creating 24 total shots and being awarded 14 corners, Colchester were unable to find the back of the net in a frustrating defeat.
Colchester United’s last five results:
Colchester United 0-2 Barrow
Colchester United 1-2 Cambridge
Shrewsbury 0-2 Colchester United
Oxford United 1-0 Colchester (Carabao Cup)
Oldham 1-1 Colchester United Oldham 1-1 Colchester United
In the opposition dugout:
The U’s play under the guidance of 46-year-old Danny Cowley, with younger brother Nicky Cowley alongside him as his assistant.
The brothers took charge of Colchester in January 2024 and in their first full season, led the team to a 10th-place League Two finish, after narrowly steering them from the drop zone in the latter stages of the previous campaign.
Danny’s managerial career began with a seven-year spell at Concord Rangers, where the club won multiple promotions, before leading Braintree Town to their highest-ever league finish and making it to the National League play-off semi-final.
Cowley then oversaw Lincoln City’s return to the EFL and climb to League One, as well as a historic FA Cup run, before spells with Huddersfield Town and Portsmouth.
Ones to watch:
One to watch for the U’s on Saturday will be 25-year-old centre-back Jack Tucker. The Gillingham graduate joined Colchester on loan for the latter half of the 2024/25 campaign from MK Dons, before making the move permanent this summer.
Tucker already has a goal and assist to his name, and with an impressive 11.2 clearances per 90, is regularly in the right place to clear away opposition danger in the box.
The Kent-born defender can also operate in defensive midfield, with his mobility and ability to handle the ball making him a key player for the Essex club this season.
Jack Payne will offer a threat going forward for the U’s. The playmaker was named in the Sky Bet League Two team of the season for the 2024/25 campaign, racking up eight goals and ten assists.
The 30-year-old attacking midfielder is a threat from set-pieces, and can cut inside, but also likes to shoot from distance.
Last time these two sides met:
The Bees last met the U’s in February 2018, when a goal from Alex Nicholls was enough to give Barnet three points on the road in League Two.
We look forward to seeing you all back at the Hive tomorrow, Bees’ fans!