The Bees find themselves four points adrift of the play-off places after picking up their second draw on the bounce on Tuesday night when they played host to Havant & Waterlooville.
After dominating proceedings in the early stages, Shaq Coulthirst put Barnet in front on 11 minutes, scoring from the spot after Dan Sweeney was bundled over. However, the scores were level with 20 minutes of normal time remaining as substitute Andreas Robinson bent the ball into the bottom corner. Coulthirst bagged his second of the game moments later before Havant’s number 16 cancelled it out yet again in stoppage time, netting a delightful free-kick as his side managed to clinch a point at the death.
Attentions now turn to tomorrow afternoon as The Bees aim to return to winning ways when they travel to Wrexham.
Last Meeting:
The last time these two sides met was back in 2015 in a game to forget for The Bees.
Barnet, who won the conference that season, fell to a 1-0 defeat in Wales courtesy of a 24th minute Rob Evans winner.
To rub salt into the wounds, John Akinde received his marching orders just shy of the hour mark after picking up a second yellow card for diving.
Manager: Sam Ricketts
Sam Ricketts took over at the helm of Wrexham back in May in his first stab at management.
The former defender was forced to hang up his boots in 2016 due to injury during a short spell at Coventry City. In a career that started at Oxford United, the 36-year-old made a name for himself in the top flight, playing for Hull City and Bolton Wanderers.
However, his first piece of silverware came at Swansea City, winning the EFL Trophy in 2006. Whilst at Hull, he was part of the Championship play-off winning side of 2008 as he reached the Premier League for the first time in his career. After dropping down to League One in 2013, Ricketts ended the season as a champion, gaining promotion to the Championship with Wolves. He was also part of the PFA League Two Team of the Year in 2005 and the 2014 League One Team of the Year.
Ricketts also represented Wales from 2005 to 2014, making 52 appearances. Despite being born in England and playing for the C team whilst at Telford United, his Welsh grandmother meant he was eligible to represent the country.
One to Watch: Jordan Maguire-Drew
Winger Jordan Maguire-Drew joined Wrexham on loan from Brighton this summer and has gone on to be a key player for the club so far this season.
The Dragons become the 21-year-old’s fifth loan side after becoming a senior player at his parent club in 2016. Two successful spells at Worthing and Dagenham prompted League Two side Lincoln
City to take a chance on the wide-man ahead of last season. However, he couldn’t quite pick up form and returned to Brighton in January before securing another loan move, this time to Coventry. Similarly to The Imps, Maguire-Drew didn’t quite cut it at the Sky Blues either. However, after dropping back down to the National League this summer, it’s safe to say, it is proving to be the perfect move.
The Brighton man has already bagged three goals in a Wrexham shirt and will be looking to add to his tally tomorrow. He can offer pace down the flanks and will be looking to whip as many balls into the box as possible. On top of that, the winger is deadly from set-pieces and will have eyes only for goal if The Bees gift Wrexham a dangerous free-kick tomorrow.
Recent Form:
Sitting in fourth, four points adrift of leaders Leyton Orient, Wrexham are in a very good position at the moment. However, The Dragons are without a win in their last two games.
In their previous five matches, Wrexham have won and drawn twice whilst suffering one defeat. The points were shared when they welcomed Halifax to Wales at the start of the month before edging to a 1-0 win over Braintree four days later. They hosted Ebbsfleet in their next game, comfortably winning 4-1 before suffering their second defeat of the season at the hands of Sutton, losing 3-0. However, The Dragons, who are six points ahead of The Bees, go into tomorrow’s game off the back of a 0-0 draw to third place Harrogate on Tuesday night.
As for their home form, Ricketts’ side are yet to taste defeat on their own turf, winning three of their six home games, drawing the other three.
With only eight goals conceded so far this season, Wrexham have the second best defensive record in the division behind Fylde.
Last 5 matches: DWWLD
Connections:
Wrexham midfielder Nicky Deverdics spent two years with Barnet after signing for the club in 2008. The 30-year-old made 50 appearances in a Bees shirt, scoring three goals, before joining Blyth Spartans ahead of the 2010-11 season.
