William Bewsey
4:50pm, Thu 17th Aug 2023
Match previews sponsored by Nuffield Health
Barnet v Woking
Vanarama National League
19th August 2023
15:00 Kick-Off
Woking will take on another side who finished in last season's playoffs when they travel to the Hive to face Barnet.
Following a dramatic 3-2 win over Rochdale on Tuesday, the Cards now have one win, one draw and one loss after three games, having scored five and also conceded five. News will be awaited on the fitness of Josh Casey and Rohan Ince, as both missed Tuesday night's game, whilst the likes of Luke Wilkinson and Manny Oyeleke will hope to be back in and around the squad after injury problems of their own.
Opposition Watch
Familiar foes Barnet have had somewhat of a resurgence under Irishman Dean Brennan in the last couple of years, with an 18th placed finish in 2021/22 put completely behind them last season, as the Bees finished 5th, losing to Boreham Wood in the playoff eliminator.
Brennan has strengthened his side over the summer, with additions including young defender Adebola Oluwo from Chelmsford City, experienced left back Ben Coker from Solihull Moors and potentially the most exciting coup, midfielder Zak Brunt, on loan at Boreham Wood from Sheffield United last season. However, Barnet once again sold a key player to Peterborough United, with midfielder Ryan De Havilland joining the League One Posh.
A last minute equaliser on Tuesday night saw Barnet blow a 3-0 lead to Eastleigh at the Silverlake Stadium for their first dropped points of the season, with the Bees winning two and drawing one of their first three games, scoring eight goals and conceding five. Barnet’s top scorers are former Card Nicke Kabamba with two in three games and Idris Kanu, who scored two at Eastleigh to move joint with Kabamba.
However, both are narrowly behind centre back Danny Collinge in the top scorer charts, who has scored three in three matches, with one goal in each game thus far.
Last Time Out
A 1-1 draw between the sides at the Laithwaite in March failed to tell the full story, as Rhys Browne cancelled out Harry Pritchard's first half opener, but Browne had two penalties saved by Laurie Walker towards the end of the game.
In the last fixture at the Hive between the sides, goals from Ryan De Havilland and Ben Wynter gave the Bees a 2-0 win in mid August, which was the same scoreline inflicted by Woking on their hosts in March 2022, when goals from Moussa Diarra and Jamar Loza gave Ian Dyer his only away win as interim manager.
Around the Ground
The Hive Stadium is a short walk from Canons Park tube station, which is situated on the Jubilee Line towards Stanmore, and is served by regular Underground trains from Waterloo.
Car parking is available at the ground, however this is £8 per car.
The closest pub to the ground is Moranos, which is a short walk from Canons Park after turning right out of the station, whilst there are other establishments along the Jubilee Line. There is also a bar in Stand 66, called Bar 66, and food and drink options are available in the away end.
Ticket details can be found
here.
