Over the past six games there, this weekend’s visitors to Huish Park are top of the National League form table.
Barnet have picked up five wins and one defeat in their past half-dozen games with that loss coming in a derby away at Wealdstone, the former club of Bees’ boss Dean Brennan, in the middle of November.
Their wins started with an impressive three points at $tockport and then with solid home form against Aldershot, Torquay and then Maidenhead United who they dispatched 3-0 last Saturday.
Brennan was particularly pleased to see his side keep on their second clean sheet of the season six days ago.
Speaking after that win, he said: “Clean sheets win titles – not that I am saying I will win the title! But the success I have had as a manager, the two titles I have won those sides have had the best clean sheet records.
“That is how you have success, so I am delighted for us to get another clean sheet.”
Brennan, who started the season as Director of Football at The Hive, stepped in to the managerial hot-seat when Harry Kewell was sacked after a dismal start to the season.
Since arriving in the job, Barnet have only lost three – at home to Boreham Wood in the FA Cup, big-spending Wrexham in the league and the defeat at Wealdstone.
Top of the showing charts for the visitors is Adam Marriott, who is known to Glovers’ boss Darren Sarll from their days together at Stevenage.
The striker has a modest return of four goals in 13 matches, but has got three in his last three outings including a double in the 2-1 win at Woking a fortnight ago.
Marriott did become a father this week, so hopefully his new arrival has given him a sleepless night or two before arriving in Somerset.
In the latest Gloverscast podcast we spoke to Mem from the Barnet BeesPod who picked out wide players Ephron Mason-Clark and Rob Hall as ones to watch for the visitors. If you haven’t heard Ian’s chat with Mem, listen – here.
FROM THE MANAGER
Speaking ahead of the match, Barnet manager Dean Brennan said he was looking forward to a good game at the weekend.
“It will be a good game, two teams in really good form, two teams with pace and with a lot of team spirit.
“It is important we go there and don’t get beat, we want to play on the front foot which we always will do.
“We want to nullify their pace, I know Charlie Wakefield quite well having managed him before at Wealdstone last year.
“They have an experienced head in (Luke) Wilkinson in defence and two (number) eights in midfield who run hard in (Dale) Gorman and (Matt) Worthington, so it is going to be an interesting game.
“There is no easy games in this division, so we respect the opposition but we can only control what we can do, so we will get on the front foot and try and be as positive as we can.
“I am expecting a good game, I think it will be an good game with two attack-minded sides with good pace probably playing the same formation, so hopefully there will be lots of goals and hopefully for us.”
TEAM NEWS
Former MK Dons midfielder Daniel Powell made his comeback in the 3-0 win over Maidenhead United.
The 30-year-old has been missing for the past two months after picking up an injury, but came off the bench for the final 30 minutes last weekend.
Manager Dean Brennan said: “He’s a big player for us and he’ll be key in the gruelling Christmas period to come.”
Defender Sam Woods is back in training but the trip to Somerset is likely to come too soon for him and midfielder Kian Flanagan will also be missing through injury.
Young midfielder Antonis Vasiliou has been loaned out to Isthmian League side Ashford Town (Middlesex).
A FOOT IN BOTH CAMPS
Barnet’s Mitch Brundle will be the main playing link between the two sides this weekend despite having never actually played for Yeovil Town.
The midfielder was a scholar in the Glovers’ academy for two years before being released in 2013 when he went on to join Bristol City.
Having latterly turned out for Cheltenham, Dover and Dagenham, he arrived at The Hive in the summer and has been a regular fixture in midfield, scoring the Bees’ second in their 3-0 win over Maidenhead United last weekend.
If we’re not allowed to have Jordan Barnett as a connection, then a few other players who have a foot in both camps include:
- Scott Loach – Yeovil Town (2015), Barnet (2019-2021)
- Ben Nugent – Yeovil Town (2014-15), Barnet (2020-21)
- Sam Hoskins – Yeovil Town (2013-2015), Barnet – loan (2014)
- Keanu Marsh-Brown – Yeovil Town (2012-13), Barnet (2013-15)
- Iffy Allen – Barnet (2012-15), Yeovil Town (2015-16)
- Dean Parrett – Yeovil Town (2012), Barnet (2020-21)
- Bondz N’Gala – Yeovil Town (2011-12), Barnet(2014-16)
- Izale McLeod – Barnet (2010-2012), Yeovil Town (2016)
- Sam Cowler – Yeovil Town – loan (2012), Barnet (2012-13, 2014-15)
- Giuliano Grazioli – Yeovil Town (1995), Barnet (2003-2008)