MATCH PREVIEW | YORK CITY

Get The Hive Stadium rocking this Tuesday the 18^th (7:45pm) as the Bees take on York City in an evening top on the table clash in the Vanarama National League.

Barnet return to The Hive Stadium just three days on from their Saturday afternoon victory against Solihull Moors in the Vanarama National League.

The striking duo of Dom Telford and Lee Ndlovu secured the goals to win Barnet a massive three points from the game, as well as Dom making his home debut for the Bees.

Straight from kick off the hosts were looking to take an early lead in the opening minutes of the match, sending the ball high and low towards the Solihull net.

Although Barnet were starting to look sharp, they were unable to convert the attacks, struggling to take the shot on and find the target.

The visitors were able to break away at times and charge into the Barnet half, but they also struggled to get the final shot off, with the Bees defence blocking the way at the last minute.

When the first half reached the midway point, the game was producing more of the same, with both sides breaking away into each other’s halves, struggling to get a lead in the match.

Moments later it happened, a chance found its way in as Callum Stead retrieved the ball on the edge of the box to play it through to Dom Telford, who without hesitation struck the ball brilliantly curving it into the top left corner.

The stadium roared with excitement as new signing Dom Telford was off the mark, scoring his first for the Bees and giving his side the lead in the match.

Just under fifteen minutes later, the referee blew the whistle, as the players went in for the half-time break.

The players returned for the next forty-five, but the Bees were suddenly caught off guard, when Moors forward Fletcher Holman launched the ball from the edge of the penalty area, flying over the reach of Bees keeper Owen Evans, hitting the roof of the net and giving the visitors an equaliser in just over twenty seconds.

On the hour mark, the Bees were still struggling to perform, not taking the chances in the right moments and being pushed back by the opposition.

Dean Brennan decided it was time for a change, bringing on four new players, in an attempt to change the game and bring back the lead.

This decision started to show, the Bees were attacking more and finding better chances around the area.

A shot inside the box was deflected into the path of Lee Ndlovu, with a close-range effort he smacked the ball hitting the underside off the crossbar and bouncing past the goal line.

The players looked to the linesman and the flag was raised, it was a goal to Barnet, Lee Ndlovu have given the hosts the lead back.

As game was approaching the final minutes and the Bees still had the lead, the fans were behind them all the way, encouraging the team to hold on and claim the three points.

With just over a minute to go, Billy Clifford played the ball over to Callum Stead, sprinting down the right side, delivering the ball low to Lee Ndlovu, who tapped the ball in past the Moors keeper, sealing the victory for the Bees.

Just seconds later and they had done it, the referee blew the full-time whistle, and Barnet came back to win the game and collect the three points.

Barnet last five results:

Barnet FC 3-1 Solihull Moors

Boston United 0-0 Barnet

Tamworth 0-1 Barnet FC

Barnet FC 2-0 Hartlepool United

Barnet FC 3-0 Maidenhead United

From the dugout:

Connor Smith’s pre-match interview can be viewed HERE!

York City:

York City faced Ebbsfleet United away at the Kuflink Stadium in the Vanarama National League on Saturday, where the Minstermen secured a 2-0 win on the road.

Within the opening minutes of the game, it was York who registered the first shot, when Ollie Pearce struck a long-range effort from a half volley, that ended up going off target as it flew over the bar.

The Minstermen were causing havoc for the hosts, as they continuously provided chances towards the penalty area, searching for that opening goal.

York forward Ashley Nathaniel-George attempted to his side the lead, by he was denied by Ebbsfleet’s No.30 Lucas Covolan between the sticks.

The score remained tied at the halfway point, and it wasn’t until later in the second half when York broke the deadlock, when a penalty was awarded after Ollie Pearce was tripped in the box by Mustapha Olagunju.

Pearce stepped up to take the penalty, placing the ball into the bottom right corner of the net, making it 1-0 to the Minstermen.

With the game ticking on York found themselves through with another chance on goal, as Cameron John ran down the left side, crossing it low to Ollie Pearce, who guided it into the net and secured his side the three points with a 2-0 win.

York last five results:

Ebbsfleet United 0-2 York City

York City 3-0 Woking

York City 2-1 Dagenham & Redbridge

Boston United 3-1 York City

Oldham Athletic 0-2 York City

From the opposition dugout:

York City manager Adam Hinshelwood will be in the away dugout for the Minstermen this Tuesday along with his assistant Gary Elphick.

Before managing York, Hinshelwood achieved success as the manager of Worthing, leading them to the Isthmian League Premier Division title.

Since taking over at York City, he has guided the team to impressive performances, including an unbeaten run in September 2024.

His achievements earned him the Vanarama National League Manager of the Month award for both September and October 2024.

Ones to watch:

York City centre forward Ollie Pearce is the clubs leading top goal scorer so far this season, scoring 18 goals and assisting 7 in 29 league appearances.

He has currently averaged a goal every 132 minutes.

Last time these two sides met:

Last time these two sides met, York City came from behind to claim a 3-1 victory over the Bees at the LNER Community Stadium in the Vanarama National League.

Barnet opened the scoring in the 37th minute when Bailey Hobson found space in the box to finish Ryan Glover’s dangerous cross from the right, giving Barnet a 1-0 lead.

York responded strongly before halftime. Alex Hunt’s cross from the right flank was perfectly delivered for Marvin Armstrong, who tapped the ball home just before the break, levelling the score at 1-1.

In the second half, York started to take control of the match, as in the 55th minute, Cameron John made a crucial interception to deny Nicke Kabamba a close-range opportunity.

In the 74^th minute, York were awarded a free kick and Alex Hunt stepped up to take it, curling the ball into the top corner, giving York a 2-1 lead with just over 15 minutes until the end of regular time.

However, the game was suddenly turned over even more as York quickly doubled their lead, when substitute Tyrese Sinclair pounced on a defensive mistake by the Bees, winning the ball back before threading a clinical finish past Barnet keeper Nick Hayes, making the score 3-1 to the Minstermen.

The Bees were pushing for a comeback, but York held on to the lead.

Luca Thomas came close to adding a fourth in the final seconds of the match, guiding a header towards goal, but Hayes made a crucial save to keep the score at 3-1 at full-time.

Let’s get The Hive Stadium rocking and roaring this Tuesday night as Bees Manager Dean Brennan will be looking for his side to widen the gap at the top of the table, securing the three points and extending Barnet’s unbeaten run.