MATCH PREVIEW: Accrington Stanley

Last updated : 12 March 2010 By Jaybee

Barnet take on Accrington Stanley in League Two at Underhill tomorrow. Barnet have already met Stanley twice this season after being paired together in the FA Cup 2nd round. After, John O’Flynn grabbed a very late equalizer at the Crown Ground to make the score 2-2, Barnet gave a very disappointing performance in the replay at Underhill losing 1-0 to a Robert Grant goal.

Bees’ manager, Ian Hendon has brought in two new faces on loan. Striker Ben Wright has arrived from Peterborough and midfield player, Edward Upson from Ipswich. Both have been added to the squad for tomorrow’s match.

Barnet’s form has improved over recent matches, as they have taken 9 points from the last 7 matches, not great form, but enough to have put a stop to the club’s freefall which had seen them without a win since November.

Accrington’s fine spell of form which had seen them move up the table to challenge for the play-offs has rather stuttered of late. Stanley have only won once in their last seven matches and they have slipped down to 14th, now 8 points off of the play-offs. They will be looking to kick start their season by winning again at Underhill. Last season, Barnet’s 2-1 win over Accrington was the Bees’ first home win after a disastrous start to the season. Two seasons ago, the two clubs drew 2-2 in a match that was an excellent advertisement for League Two.

Accrington have won six away matches this season and it will be no easy task for the Bees to take all three points tomorrow.

Barnet will be without striker, Paul Furlong who is expected to be out for another two weeks. David Livermore, who was injured in the 2-2 draw at Crewe, is likely to be out for another week. Ismail Yakubu is likely to be out for a few weeks yet after having had an injection in his spine after seeing a specialist.

Alan Burton and Leam Richardson could miss tomorrow’s game, but new loan signing from Everton, James McCarton, could make his Accrington debut against the Bees.

Barnet’s form and results have improved quite a bit recently, while Accrington’s form has dipped quite considerably. With more competition in the Barnet squad following the two recent loan signings, the team’s performances are beginning to get back to those of earlier in the season and the Bees should be more than capable of winning tomorrow. Barnet Mad predicts a 2-0 win for the Bees.