MATCH PREVIEW | SOLIHULL MOORS

The Bees are back in action at the Hive Stadium this Saturday (3pm) as they take on Solihull Moors in the Vanarama National League.

The Bees return home for their next fixture after recently going up against Boston United, earning one point in a 0-0 draw away at the Jakemans Community Stadium.

Straight from kick off the tension was high, as both teams were looking to gain an early lead in the game.

Mark Shelton had the first opportunity on goal for the Bees however, the chance was quickly interrupted by the Boston defence, who cleared it away from the edge of the box.

Boston’s Dylan Hill took on the first real attempt for the hosts, striking the ball towards goal but it carried too much height and flew over the bar.

The ball was later received by Ryan Glover on the left side of the pitch, cutting inside and tried to curl it around the keeper but it went too wide and fell past the right post.

With only minutes till half time, Danny Collinge caught Boston’s Oisin Gallagher, bringing him to the floor and the referee reached into his pocket and pulled out a red card, sending the Bees down to 10 men.

As the ball was kicked for the start of the second half, pressure built almost immediately.

Within the first few minutes the Boston goalkeeper lost the ball at his feet, giving both Callum Stead and Lee Ndlovu a chance to pounce and take the lead but the keeper was able to clear it in time.

The hosts were using the extra player to their advantage, giving the Bees defence a real challenge on their hands in protecting the area.

As the game entered the 80th minute, Dean Brennan brought on Dom Telford, making his debut for the club and within his first seconds on the ball, taking a shot from the edge of the box but it was blocked by the Boston defence.

As time went on Barnet stood strong and held on throughout the game, then late into extra time the referee blew the whistle for full-time.

Barnet last five results:

Boston United 0-0 Barnet

Tamworth 0-1 Barnet FC

Barnet FC 2-0 Hartlepool United

Barnet FC 3-0 Maidenhead United

Southend United 0-3 Barnet FC

In the dugout:

Connor Smith preview can be viewed HERE!

Solihull Moors:

Solihull Moors recently hosted Oldham Athletic in the Vanarama National League, unable to take any points from the fixture as a first half goal by Athletics Billy Waters gave the visitors a 1-0 win at The ARMCO Arena.

Oldham had the first chance of the match when an opportunity from a free kick was cleared into the path of Charlie Raglan, who took a shot at The Moors net, but the shot was stopped by former Bees goalkeeper Laurie Walker.

Throughout the first half both sides were fighting for that opening goal, but neither side were able to guide the ball into the back of the net.

However, as the clock was approaching half time the ball found its way into the path of Billy Waters following a miss pass from The Moors defence.

The striker was one on one with the keeper, firing the ball towards goal and hitting the roof of the net, giving the visitors the lead at the break.

The hosts returned to the pitch which a stronger performance than in the first half, finding chances into the Oldham box to bring the game back level, but couldn’t get the ball over the final line.

As the minutes went on Solihull continued to drive the ball through the Oldham defence, knocking the ball towards the goal looking for that equaliser.

Despite the added pressure and stronger second half performance, Solihull were unable to bring themselves back into the game, as Oldham took all three points from the fixture.

Solihull Moors last five results:

Solihull Moors 0-1 Oldham Athletic

Wealdstone 1-1 Solihull Moors

Solihull Moors 0-2 FC Halifax Town

Braintree Town 1-0 Solihull Moors

Solihull Moors 0-1 Eastleigh

In the opposition dugout:

Recently appointed manager Matt Taylor will be in the dugout for The Moors this Saturday with his assistant Richard Stearman alongside him.

Former Premier League footballer Matt Taylor was appointed manager of Solihull Moors on the 

23^rd of January 2025, after spending over half a season with fellow National League side 

Wealdstone.

Ones to watch:

Moors centre forward Conor Wilkinson is the clubs leading goal scorer, scoring 12 goals and getting 5 assists in 25 appearances in the league this season.

The Irishman has averaged a goal ever 156 minutes for the club so far this season.

Last time these two sides met:

Dean Brennan’s side last face Solihull back in October, as the Bees endured a 4-3 defeat to The Moors away from home.

The Bees looked to have the chance to take a very early lead, when the ball was headed across goal by Adebola Oluwo from a corner, finding the path Ryan Glover who looked set to score but it was cleared away by the Solihull defence.

Another chance came soon after when Callum Stead played the ball through to Harry Chapman but was stopped by the ex Bees keeper Laurie Walker in goal.

The constant pressure from the Bees eventually paid off, as Nicke Kabamba fired the ball into the bottom left corner, giving Barnet the lead.

The hosts levelled the game up when a free kick was swung in
towards the back post, with Jack Stevens there to jump up and direct
the ball into the net.

Only minutes later and Solihull had turned the game around, when Bradley Stevenson put the ball into the Bees net, giving his side the lead at the break.

The second half started just as the first half finished, when Sam Bowen put the ball around Nick Hayes, giving Solihull a two-goal lead.

It didn’t get much better for the Bees as James Gale moved the ball around the keeper, tapping it in and extending Solihull’s lead by three.

Throughout the second half Barnet were still piling the pressure onto the hosts, searching for a way back into this game.

As the game entered stoppage time, the Bees finally found a way through with two quick goals from Zak Brunt and Nicke Kabamba, bringing the score to 4-3.

Barnet tried one last push to get that equaliser, but time had run out as the referee blew the whistle for full time, with the hosts taking all the points from the game.

The Bees will be determined to take all three points at the Hive Stadium this Saturday, expanding their unbeaten run and cementing their spot at the top of the table.