We face
a short break now from the league and in some respects it is an
unwelcome one, coming as it does on the back of last week's pleasing
victory
over Wycombe. In an ideal world, we would like another league
game to build on that momentum, but progression in the cup brings its
own kind of momentum.To a certain extent it's tempting to look at Barnet – bottom of the entire Football League after a miserable start to the season – as easy opponents, but their recent form suggests they will be more challenging opponents than their lowly league position suggests. In the three games they have played since former international superstar Edgar Davids made his surprise debut for the Bees, Barnet are unbeaten, including an impressive 4-0 victory over Northampton and an away win at Chesterfield last week. Whether this is the result of of Davids' influence or just a temporary boost as a result of having such a big name involved with the club remains to be seen.
We will
also go into the match weakened from our last outing as a result of
loanees being cup-tied, meaning that Jake Forster-Caskey and Johnny
Mullins must sit this one out. Lee Cox is, however, free to play. Barnet
appear to have an almost full-strength side to choose from, Davids
and all.
There are relatively few playing links between the two sides, though Damian Batt featured 37 times for Barnet in the Conference back in 2004. Our record against Barnet is very good. The two sides have met seven times, of which we have won five and drawn two. The most recent of those was back in February when goals from James Constable and Scott Rendell gave us a 2-1 win.
There are relatively few playing links between the two sides, though Damian Batt featured 37 times for Barnet in the Conference back in 2004. Our record against Barnet is very good. The two sides have met seven times, of which we have won five and drawn two. The most recent of those was back in February when goals from James Constable and Scott Rendell gave us a 2-1 win.
From the Vaults
Barnet v Oxford United (Football League Trophy 1st round), 7th November 1995
The
first ever competitive meeting between Oxford and Barnet saw us
travel to Underhill for an Auto Windscreens match. Both sides were
relatively new to the competition, with Oxford in their second year
in the third tier and Barnet in the their fifth as a Football League
club.
Also This Weekend
The
youth team stretched their winning run to eight games during the
week, securing their passage to the second round of the FA Youth Cup
with a 4-2 victory over Yeovil Town. They will face Plymouth Argyle
on November 14th at Thame United, but first is a trip to
face the old enemy in the Youth Alliance Cup. Their opponents, Swindon, are also riding the
crest of a wave, having beaten Sholing 6-1 in their midweek FA Youth
Cup game.
The
table-topping ladies team host Newquay following a blank week last
week and they will be hoping to get back to winning ways after being
held to a draw by Exeter in their last outing. The reserves also top
their division, and make Sunday's trip to Banbury for a Southern
Region League Cup match on the back of an astonishing 11-0 win
against Newbury last week. More of the same will do nicely.
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