MATCH PREVIEW – BARNET (A) | Boreham Wood Football Club

Barnet v Boreham Wood
Saturday 16^th October 2021, 3.00pm
The Hive, Emirates FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round
Match Preview written by Aaron Bennis (BWFC Media Assistant)

THE CONTEXT

This Saturday, Wood take a break from league action and switch their attention to the Emirates FA Cup, paying a visit to local rivals Barnet in the fourth qualifying round.

The Bees have started their league campaign adequately, sitting 17^th with two wins, four draws and five defeats.

Wood continued their fine form at the top of the league with a comfortable 2-0 victory over promotion rivals Dagenham & Redbridge, making it seven wins from 11 games.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

“THE DESTROYER”
JAMIE TURLEY

Ex-Wood defender Jamie Turley joined Barnet in the summer following a three-year spell at Leyton Orient. Having come through the ranks at Wycombe Wanderers, he left without making a senior appearance and joined Salisbury City where he spent two seasons. In June 2011 he signed for Forest Green Rovers, going on to play 98 times over a successful period, before signing for fellow Conference Premier outfit Eastleigh. His form at the Silverlake Stadium earnt him a move to League Two with Newport County, but he was unable to reach the same heights and found himself back in the non-league with Boreham Wood after just one season, in which he featured just seven times. He did find success during his loan spell in Hertfordshire though, with his 33 appearances helping the club to the National League play-off final and a shot at reaching the Football League for the first time. Although they were unable to overcome Tranmere Rovers at Wembley Stadium, Turley won plaudits for his performances and would remain in League Two anyway, being picked up by Notts County. Although he played 19 times in all competitions, he would soon find himself back in the non-league once again, only this time on a permanent basis. Leyton Orient would be his next destination, and despite spending his debut campaign as more of a bit-part player making just ten appearances, the O’s won the National League title and subsequently achieved promotion to League Two, with Turley remaining on the fringes of the team in the following campaign. However, the 2020/21 season saw him make 18 appearances as Orient finished in a comfortable 11^th, and after being released at the end of the season, he returned to the non-league with Barnet.

“THE PLAYMAKER”
KIAN FLANAGAN

A Crystal Palace academy graduate, Kian Flanagan is currently enjoying his first taste of first team football having joined Barnet in the summer. After rising through the ranks at Palace, the attacking midfielder began playing for the under-23’s at the young age of just 17 and scored three times in nine appearances in the Premier League 2 last season. Following his release from the Eagles, he arrived at The Hive in the summer and has featured in all 11 games so far this season, with all but one being from the start.

“THE FINISHER”
MASON BLOOMFIELD

After starting his career in the academy of Dagenham & Redbridge, Mason Bloomfield gained experience on loan at Chatham Town, Erith & Belvedere and Maldon & Tiptree, prior to leaving the Daggers with just one first team appearance to his name. He would drop to the non-league with Chelmsford City, before further spells at Billericay Town, Grays Athletic, Witham Town, Brentwood Town and Aveley. A brief return to Dag & Red saw him feature 26 times during the 2017/18 season with Norwich City announcing his arrival at Carrow Road the following summer. He was immediately sent out on loan to Hamilton Academical, although he was recalled after just half a season in Scotland. He was instead loaned to AFC Fylde for the remainder of the season before a further loan at Crawley Town in 2019/20 that brought four goals in 24 appearances. Following his release from Norwich in the summer of 2020, he joined Hartlepool United, making 22 appearances as the club returned to League Two after a four-year absence. He wouldn’t be kept on however and was released, joining Barnet in the summer.

LAST TIME WE MET

Boreham Wood 0-0 Barnet
Tuesday 20^th April 2021
LV Bet Stadium Meadow Park, National Premier

The Wood were held to a stalemate by local rivals Barnet as they made it six unbeaten in the derby

An energetic opening to the game saw the visitors open the floodgates early on, with an audacious overhead kick attempt from Tom Adeloye going comfortably wide but starting the derby off with a bang. Kabongo Tshimanga would soon go close himself but was denied by goalkeeper Aymen Azaze at the near post. The bulk of the chances throughout the first half fell to the hosts, but Corey Whitley, Tyrone Marsh and Tshimanga all saw their efforts fail to hit the back of the net. They continued as they meant to go on after the break, being the dominant force throughout the second period while Barnet failed to create anything of note. Further opportunities fell to Whitley, Tshimanga and Matt Rhead but a lack of shooting boots for the home side mixed with some resolute defending from the visitors meant goals were at a minimum. It was a hard-working affair, with the points confirmed to be shared by the two rivals as referee Elliot Swallow blew the full time whistle.

PRE MATCH WORDS

HOW TO WATCH

MATCH TICKETS

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