It’s back to home action this weekend for the Bees as they host Newport County in Sky Bet League Two.
Barnet suffered a 2-0 defeat last time out against Salford with two goals late in the first-half proving decisive for the hosts
Ryan Glover found Romoney Crichlow in the box early on in the tie, but the move was halted after the linesman raised his flag for offside.
Salford responded with chances for Ryan Graydon and Cole Stockton, though neither found the target, while Slicker denied Jorge Grant with a strong save.
The Bees threatened the opposition with Diallang Jaiyesimi making a run down the left, but Nnamdi Ofoborh’s effort on goal was gathered comfortably by Salford’s Matty Young.
The hosts eventually broke the deadlock in the 39th minute when Ros Longelo fired them ahead with Matt Butcher doubling the lead just before the break.
Salford came close to extending their advantage in the second-half, hitting the post and forcing Slicker into a close range save.
Despite substitutions and efforts from Oforborh and Glover, the Bees were unable to find a breakthrough goal as the hosts held firm.
Barnet’s last five results:
Salford City 2 – 0 Barnet FC
Barnet FC 1 – 0 Chesterfield
Accrington Stanley 0 – 1 Barnet FC
Colchester 4 – 1 Barnet FC
Barnet FC 1 – 2 Swindon Town
Newport County:
Relegation-threatened Newport Country are currently sitting in 23rd place in the Sky Bet League Two table, having won two out of their last five matches.
Two second half goals from Colchester United’s Harry Anderson and Jack Payne within six minutes of each other halted Newport County’s hopes of securing three points on home soil.
County had climbed out of the relegation zone after their midweek win over Tranmere Rovers but slipped back down into the bottom two following their defeat against the U’s.
A controversial 58th minute goal from Anderson was allowed to stand, with Payne doubling Colchester’s lead minutes later.
Substitute Lee Jenkins sent the ball home deep into added time to get one back for Newport but they left empty-handed at full-time.
A win for The Exiles could see them move up the Sky Bet League Two table and out of the relegation zone.
Newport County’s last five results:
Newport County 1 – 2 Colchester Utd
Newport County 3 – 1 Tranmere Rovers
Fleetwood Town 0 – 0 Newport County
Newport County 0 – 2 Cambridge Utd
Salford City 1 – 3 Newport County
In the opposition dugout:
Former Leicester City defender, Christian Fuchs has been at the helm for Newport County since November 2025 after the club parted ways with previous manager, David Hughes.
After last week’s defeat, Fuchs stated that the team had become relaxed with little energy, saying “We should take initiative, not just react to something that has happened. It starts with us being on the front foot and being brave on the ball”.
Fuchs is joined by Mark Smith as assistant manager, who also came into the coaching staff in November 2025.
Ones to watch:
Newport County’s joint top goalscorers this season are right-winger Michael Spellman and striker Nathaniel Opoku, each with five goals to their name.
Spellman has recorded 112 goals across his career, with appearances in Sunderland’s youth and first teams, as well as Whitby and Blythe Spartans before being loaned to Newport in 2024.
Opoku also came through a youth team, having played for Leicester City’s U21s side, before being loaned to Belgian team OH Leuven and then to Newport County. He joined Newport in 2025 and has netted 59 goals across the leagues in his career.
Last time the sides met:
The Bees made the 300-mile round trip to Rodney Parade on Boxing Day in 2025 where each team came away with one point.
A slow start in South Wales saw few chances, although Newport came closest early on when Slicker rushed off his line to deny Spellman, before the danger was cleared.
The hosts threatened again shortly after, but Slicker was on hand to gather the effort.
It was close for the Bees before the break as Kanu, Collinge and Assombalonga were all denied by Wright before half-time, which saw the scoreline stand at 0-0.
There were limited chances in the second-half, with Ofoborh forcing a save between the sticks and Stead firing wide late.
It was a last-gasp scramble in the Newport box before the final whistle blew, but neither side found a breakthrough in South Wales.
This will be the 13th time that the sides have met, with the Bees recording 4 wins, 5 draws and 3 losses.
COYB