Barnet v Grimsby Preview

Overview

1882 Barnet were formed initially as Woodville FC 3 years later Woodsville were to be known as New Barnet before been finally called Barnet in 1888. Years of playing in random London leagues were the diet of Barnet till 1965 when The Bee’s turned semi pro a season which saw them become champions of Southern League Division 1. It wasn't till 1991 that Barnet made their first appearance in the Football League where they spent a decade been promoted to then Division Two on occasion under the instruction of then manager Barry Fry. After spending four years back in the Conference Barnet returned in 2005, where they have gone from survivalists to midtable nobodies.

Ian Hendon’s first managerial job has so far been impressive steering Barnet away from relegation last season was a major achievement. Barnet had accumulated just 16 points when he took over the day after Boxing Day from long serving Paul Fairclough and Hendon immediately set about changing the fortune of the club with an impressive 2-0 win at Bournemouth just 2 days in to his job. From their Barnet slowly but surely clawed themselves away from the mess we had found ourselves in. 32 points from 24 games assured Barnet of another year in the Football League and with the likes of John O’Flynn bagging 18 goals there were a few bright sparks in an overall depressing season for the Bee’s

All about improving on what Hendon had started and so far Barnet fans can have no complaints. Though the opening day defeat to useless Lincoln was a blip from then on Barnet have built a record to make any team stand up and take notice. A 2-0 defeat at home to Watford in the League Cup didn't do Barnet justice as the Bee’s took the Championship club in to extra time. Since then Barnet have bested the likes of Millwall, Notts County, Northampton, Torquay and on Tuesday night added another with a 2-0 win over London rivals and another surprise package early on in the season in Dagenham and Redbridge. The only other defeat Barnet have collected was a 3-0 defeat against Rotherham last Saturday who were desperate to impress returning boss Ronnie Moore.

Well were getting the worst out of the way nestled in North London Underhill is one of the smaller grounds in the league with a capacity just shy of 5,500. Most famously used for Arsenal Reserve games Underhill is built on a slope and hadn't had much investment till last year when a new stand was built on the south side of the ground. Away fans are placed in the nice covered east terrace though if needs be we could also get the open to the elements north terrace so take a brolly!

Marlon King, Linvoy Primus, Maik Taylor, Dougie Freedman and Dean Sinclair who signed from Barnet to Charlton for £150,000 isn't a bad shout for a team who have been predominantly non league but not many in the league could compete for the honour of most famous player then Barnet who have had the honour of hosting Jimmy Greaves on their books. Playing just a season for The Bee’s in 1979-1980 Greavsie managed 25 goals from midfield at the age of 38!

John O’Flynn as aforementioned scored 18 goals in his first season at Underhill after been signed from Cork City. But it was at Peterborough where the Irishman learnt to scrub boots attracting interest from another Anglian club Ipswich Town before returning to his home county of Cork for 6 years. The 27 year old has managed 6 international appearances for Ireland scoring 3 and winning the Irish League Championship with Cork in 2005 and the FAI Cup 2 years later. His quick feet and mazy runs have drawn comparisons to another Barnet terrace favourite, Giuliano Grazioli by former manager Paul Fairclough. Another impressive season may see the striker move to a higher league unless he helps take Barnet there instead.

Recent Form

Top Scorers

Team News

Squads

Head to Head

Town had a perfect record against Barnet, until the last two games which have yielded just one point.

P 8 W6 D1 L1F20A5

Head-to-Head (3rd on The Opposition Ladder)

Last Meeting

Barnet 3 Grimsby 3 (Tue 10th Feb 2009)

An incredibly valuable point, and a fantastic result after being two goals down. Adrian Forbes's goal of the season rescued a point for the Mariners - without it they may well have gone down.

Report

Prediction