The Two Bees will be buzzing at Underhill tomorrow!!!!!
Last updated : 11 February 2008 By Jaybee
Tomorrow, Barnet play host to the other Bees, Brentford, their neighbours from West London for a rare local derby. Brentford, who were relegated from League One last season started the new season badly and were tumbling down the table with a side managed Terry Butcher, the former Ipswich Town and England star. However, Butcher lost his job and was replaced by former Brentford player, Andy Scott who has turned the club's fortunes around. Brentford are now in 12th place just eight points off the play offs and Scott is targeting the play offs as a realistic target for Brentford.
Last Saturday, Brentford drew 1-1 at home to Shrewsbury Town with Alan Connell scoring the Brentford goal. Earlier in the season, the two sets of Bees met at Griffin Park and the home side ran out 2-1 winners, with Jason Puncheon scoring for the Bees. In that match, Svetland Angus played his only game for Barnet. Sadly it ended with him being sent off.
The last time these two sides met at Underhill was in October 2003 in the 1st round of the LDV trophy. Brentford won 3-1 on penalties after the match had finished 3-3 after extra time. Barnet's goals were scored by Solomon Henry, Liam Hatch and Guy Lopez. Lopez's goal, his only first team goal at Barnet, was voted goal of the season for 2003-04, while Hatch's goal was his first for the club. Shane Gore made his debut for Barnet in that match. In that season, Barnet had three former Brentford players, Peter Beadle, Mark Williams and Tony Taggart. The last league meeting at Underhill between the two sides was back in August 1998, when Brentford won 3-0.
Barnet have no injury worries following Rob Beckwith's return to the side at Darlington and Sagi Burton continued on the bench. Former Brentford player, Michael Leary is likely to start on the bench too as Barnet aim to win their first home league match since beating Dagenham and Redbridge on Boxing Day.
In goal for Brentford, is Reading youngster, Ben Hamer, who is on loan. Hamer, spent last season on loan at Conference club, Crawley Town, where he made 45 appearances. Twenty year old, Clark Masters mad his debut last season, making 11 appearances and Brentford can also call on former Colchester and Hibernian keeper, Simon Brown.
In defence, 20 year old, Jordan Parkes is on loan for a month from Watford. Brentford have also signed Osei Sankofa on loan from Charlton Athletic and he has played for Bristol City on loan as well. At right back, it's likely that long serving, Kevin O'Connor will complete the defence though he is equally at home in midfield. O'Conner has made nearly 300 appearances for Brentford, but will miss the Barnet match with a hamstring tear. However, Scott can call, experienced Matthew Heywood who joined from Bristol City, 19 year old Karleigh Osborne who made his debut 2 years ago and former Walsall player, Craig Pead who helped the midlands club to the League Two title and can play in midfield as well.
In midfield, there is yet another loan player, Craig Stone, who has arrived from Gillingham 21 year old, John Mousinho, who broke through last season with 37 first team appearances, former Yoevil Town and Dagenham & Redbridge player, Glenn Poole, who joined in the summer from Conference side, Grays Athletic and former MK Dons player, Gary Smith, who also arrived in the summer having been given a free transfer by ex- Barnet manager, Martin Allen, just before he left the Dons for Leicester City. In the January transfer window, Brentford signed Ryan Dickson from Plymouth after he had been at Griffin Park on loan. Reuben Reid is another former Plymouth Argyle player who has not really broken into the Brentford side and has had loan spells at Torquay, Rochdale, Kidderminster and Wycombe.
Up front is former Gulls' striker, Alan Connell, who was at Hereford last season. Connell has scored 8 goals so far this season. Nineteen year old, Charlie Ide, who made his first start last August, while Nathan Elder arrived from Brighton in the January transfer window and is a former Billericay player. Ricky Shakes helped Swindon Town to promotion from League Two last season and joined Brentford after a successful pre-season trial period. Ross Montague has come up through the youth system and made his debut this season.