With fog calling a halt to proceedings in the first attempt to play this fixture, the importance of victory for both sides remains high, with The Shots looking to extend their three game unbeaten run and secure their League Two status while the Bees are desperate for points to help them avoid the drop back to the Conference.
The Shots enter the match in 14th place in League Two with 48 points from 37 games, while Barnet are second to bottom with 34 points from the same amount of games.
Shots Team News
A last gasp injury time winning header from substitute Damian Spencer was enough to steal all three points against bottom side Stockport County at the EBB Stadium at the weekend and although the match was far from a classic, a similar result would be more than acceptable to Dean Holdsworth’s side as they continue to search for the points which will ensure their league status for another season.
As at the weekend, Holdsworth’s men will be expecting another tough challenge and speaking to the Premium Shots ahead of the game he said: ”The pleasing aspect of the game Saturday, was that when we’re not playing as well as we can, we’re not conceding and the other side is that we are still believing and doing the right things and when you put the ball in the right area, we’re capable of scoring goals.
”Three back to back wins gives the players belief that they will score and the hard work has got to be done.
”I feel that our attack is our best form of defence at the moment and we’ll look to go and get at Barnet. They are leaking goals and they are conceding goals all be it, they have got some good players and they’ve added to their squad and they’ve had a couple of decent results before the weekend, but we’ve got to be positive and play to our strengths and obviously once we’re out of possession, get into position.
The “bug” which hit the squad at the weekend appears to have cleared so The Shots will only be without the services of Jack Randall [broken leg] and Reece Connolly who remains on loan at Dorchester Town, while Albert Jarrett has returned to Lincoln City following his loan spell.
Shots from: Jamie Young, Mikhael Jaimez-Ruiz, Ben Herd, Simon Grand, Luke Guttridge, Anthony Straker, Darren Jones, Anthony Charles, Ben Harding, Danny Hylton, Manny Panther, Aaron Morris, John Halls, Peter Vincenti, Clayton Fortune, Jermaine McGlashan, Wade Small, Luke Medley, Alex Rodman, Damian Spencer, Adam Mekki and Tim Sills.
The Opposition
Fresh from their 2-1 home defeat against Morecambe at the weekend, The Bees continue to search for vital points in their bid to escape the relegation battle, but with third from bottom Burton Albion still having four games in hand and fourth bottom Hereford United with two games, Paul Fairclough will be aiming to catch Northampton Town who are currently seven points clear – so every point will be vital.
Speaking ahead of the match Fairclough told his club’s website: ”The squad have the courage to win at Aldershot. I’m not questioning the commitment or the passion on Saturday but in order to retain our Football League status our concentration must improve. We we’re undone by two long throws.”
Indeed, Fairclough has acted to improve his sides attacking options ahead of the loan window closing by adding Oxford United striker Jack Midson to his squad until the end of the season. The Bees will however be without Anwar Uddin, Steve Kabba, Glen Southam and Ricky Holmes, while Daniel Leach and Darren Dennehy who have both been injured since September, were still unavailable at the weekend and are doubtful for the trip to the EBB Stadium.
Barnet from: Jake Cole, Liam O’Brien, Tom Coulton, Joe Devera, Jordan Parkes, Mark Hughes, Rossi Jarvis, Sam Deering, Charlie Stimson, Sam Cox, Reece Yorke, Anthony Pulis, John Dunleavy, Kwarne Adjeman-Pamboe, Mark Marshall, Clovis Kamdjo, Izale McLeod, Charlie Taylor, Mauro Vilhete, Tommy Fraser, Elliot Johnson, Matthew Parsons, Jack Midson and Mark Byrne.
- You can visit the official Barnet website here.
Taking Charge
Chris Sarginson will be taking charge of the match and will be assisted by Philip Knight and John Farries. Andrew Laver is the fourth official.
Weather Forecast
The BBC weather forecast for the match given as grey cloud with highs of 7°C.
Ticket News
Tickets for the match are set at:
Adult seats: £9.50, terrace: £8.50.
Concession (Over 60s, Military and students (both on production of ID cards only) seats: £7.50, terrace: £6.50.
Under 16s seats: £4, terrace £3.
For information on Family and Disabled ticket prices, please click here.
The match is not all-ticket and supporters can pay on the turnstiles on the day.
Other News
- BBC Radio Surrey
Supporters unable to make the match can hear live coverage from the match on BBC Radio Surrey (on 104.6 fm) which is brought to you by the regular team of Gavin Denison and Aldershot Town Media Manager Steve Gibbs.
Supporters are reminded that there is no internet coverage of this match.