The Bees extended their unbeaten run to eight games on Saturday, beating Maidenhead United 1-0 at York Road thanks to a first-half tap in from Medy Elito just before the break.
The result meant Darren Currie’s side kept their seventh successive clean sheet as attentions now turn to tomorrow’s away trip to Maidstone United.
Last Meeting:
It proved to be a day to forget for the Bees in their last meeting with the Stones back in November, losing 2-0 at The Hive London.
Blair Turgott opened the scoring just shy of the half-hour mark before Gold Omotayo made sure of the three points with ten minutes remaining.
Head Coach: Hakan Hayrettin
Hakan Hayrettin took charge of the Stones following his departure from Braintree Town earlier on in the season.
He started his managerial career in 2003 at Waltham Forest before going on to take charge of Thurrock and Grays Athletic. Whilst at the latter, he guided them to a play-off semi-final finish in the Isthmian League Division One North in his debut season. However, the following campaign saw him go one better, achieving promotion to the Premier Division with a club-record 102 points.
He left the side in 2013 to join Luton Town as first team coach under John Still. He also led the U23’s side who went on to win the Football League final third U23’s title.
Hayrettin then moved on to Braintree in 2016 but after facing relegation in his first season at the helm, he left his role. However, fast forward a year and he was back in the Iron’s dug-out for a short spell before leaving for Maidstone earlier this season.
The Stones boss is also no stranger to Barnet having played for us from 1989 to 1993 before leaving to sign for Wycombe Wanderers.
He went on to join sides such as Cambridge United, Doncaster and Peterborough but injuries forced him to drop down to part-time football.
One to Watch: Blair Turgott
Blair Turgott will be hoping to end the season on a high and regain his goalscoring form tomorrow night.
The midfielder has 11 goals to his name this season, including one against the Bees, but after injury side-lined him for two months in December, he is yet to regain his scoring habit.
He remains Maidstone’s top scorer though and he will be hoping to pose a problem for the Barnet back-line tomorrow.
Recent League Form:
Maidstone, who were relegated from the National League at the weekend, haven’t won in their last five league games.
A 2-0 defeat away at Eastleigh lead to more heartache when they lost 1-0 away at Wrexham four days later. They then suffered their third loss on the bounce at home to Ebbsfleet United, losing 2-0. However, points were back on the board in their next fixture when drawing 2-2 away at Harrogate Town but relegation was confirmed on Saturday after a 2-0 loss at home to Salford City.
The Stones have also scored the least amount of goals in the league with 32 to their name whilst conceding 71 and have won only twice on home turf this season.
Last 5 league games: LLLDL
Connections:
Dan Sweeney joined Barnet from Maidstone in 2016. The 24-year-old spent just over a year at the club and it was his penalty in the play-off final shoot-out to clinch promotion to the National League in his debut season. He made over 45 appearances for The Stones, scoring on three occasions.
Alongside Hayrettin, Head of Football John Still will also be coming up against his former side having managed Barnet on three occasions. He first became boss in 1997 but left the role three years later to come the club’s director of football. However, it wasn’t long before he was back in the hot seat in a short spell which ended in 2002. Still returned to Barnet ahead of this season though but left after seven months, initially retiring from management before taking his current position at Maidstone.
Forward Justin Amaluzor joined Barnet at U18 level in 2015 before progressing to the senior side. He made over 25 appearances for the club and was sent out on loan on multiple occasions. However, he left the Bees last summer and joined Braintree at the end of August before following Hayrettin to Maidstone.
