The Bees return to league action this weekend when they travel to Hartlepool United on Sunday.
John Still’s men go into the game off the back of a 1-1 FA Cup draw at home to League One side Bristol Rovers last weekend. The visitors were reduced to 10 men with only seven minutes on the clock after a dangerous foul by Stuart Sinclair on Wes Fonguck. The dismissal proved costly as Barnet took the lead just under 10 minutes later through a Craig Robson header. However, Chris Lines’ penalty in the second half cancelled out the opener, taking the tie to a replay.
Last Meeting:
You only have to cast your memory back to April 2017 to record the last time these two met. It was The Bees who came out on top in that occasion, winning 2-0 in County Durham.
John Akinde opened the scoring on 66 minutes before Simeon Akinola made sure of the points soon after.
Barnet haven’t lost at Hartlepool since December 2000 and will be hoping to maintain that record tomorrow.
Manager: Matthew Bates
Matthew Bates was appointed manager of Pools at the end of last season. He occupied the role in a caretaker capacity before penning a permanent deal back in May after steering his side away from relegation. The role also proves to be his first stab at management after hanging up his boots earlier this year whilst at Hartlepool.
Bates began his senior playing career at Middlesbrough and went on to make over 100 appearances for the side, playing in the Premier League and reaching the UEFA Cup final in 2006. During the eight years he spent with ‘Boro, he was sent out on loan to Darlington, Ipswich and Norwich respectively.
Before Hartlepool, he played for Bristol City and Bradford City. He joined Pools in 2014 and wore the shirt for four years before retiring to take up his position in the dug-out.
One to Watch: Liam Noble
Liam Noble has been a vital asset to Hartlepool’s side this season after joining the club in the summer. With seven goals to his name so far this campaign, he is currently the leading scorer at the club and will be hoping to add to his tally on Sunday.
The 27-year-old also has bundles of EFL experience under his belt with this season proving to be only his second outside England’s top four divisions.
Recent Form:
Sitting ninth with 28 points to their name, a win for Hartlepool will see them close the gap on a play-off spot.
Pools, who are five points adrift of the play-off places, have only accumulated one win in their last five games. A 2-0 home victory over Boreham Wood was quickly followed up by a goalless draw away at promotion chasers Leyton Orient. However, Bates’ side go into tomorrow’s game off the back of a three-game losing streak. A 3-2 defeat at home to Sutton was quickly followed up by a 1-0 and 4-0 loss away at Wrexham and Bromley respectively.
As for their home form, Hartlepool have only clinched three wins out of their nine games at Victoria Park in the league this season.
Pools have also bagged 20 goals this campaign, two more than Barnet. At the other end of the field, they have conceded 22, the same amount that has rustled The Bees’ net this season.
Last 5 league games: WDLLL
