Match Preview – Brighton v Barnet
Barnet – the club
Barnet were one of the most famous names in non league football up until their promotion to the Football League, which eventually arrived in 1991 after what must have felt like a lifetime of runners up finishes (four in five seasons, cheers Wikipedia) in the days when only the Conference champions went up. Since we last met in the fourth tier back in 2001, they’ve gone down and come back again twice and moved from Underhill to The Hive. Days out at Underhill were always good fun, largely owing to the fact the pitch made Mount Everest look like a gentle slope. Underhill was also the venue where Emeka Ifejiagwa scored on his Brighton debut before being deported two weeks later for being in the country illegally. Things like that just don’t happen anymore.
Barnet – the place
The Hive is located in Edgware and was constructed originally as the home for Wealdstone, another of those non league teams who had more than sense. When they predictably went into liquidation, Barnet took over the site, turning it into a training complex and then when the lease ran out on Underhill, a new home ground. An away draw rather than a game at the Amex would’ve been bloody brilliant for ticking off a new ground as well as getting to visit the London Borough that gave the world former Fun House presenter Pat Sharp.
Barnet – the people
It isn’t just Pat Sharp who comes from Barnet. The list is pretty impressive with the likes of sanctimonious dwarf John Bercow, former Spice Girl Emma Bunton, George Michael, Charles Dickens and Phil Tuffnel. Sadly, none of these actually support the Bees.
A good WeAreBrighton.com memory of Barnet at home
The Goldstone’s last ever game under lights was against Barnet on April 1st 1997. Ian Baird scored the only goal of the game as Steve Gritt’s side continued the greatest of great escapes.
A bad WeAreBrighton.com memory of Barnet at home
Last time we faced Barnet was at this stage of the same competition in 2008. The Albion won 4-0 at Withdean with Adam Virgo scoring twice from central midfield, giving rise to the joke that Virgo must have it in his contract that he has to start every game. When Micky Adams was starting him on the right wing a month later at Northampton, that suddenly didn’t seem like a joke anymore. Now you may be wondering why a comfortable win over lower league opponents is a bad memory. Well, after the game the WeAreBrighton.com team went to notorious West Street nightclub Tru and in their your author was horrifically sick on the middle of the dance floor, pulled the fattest and most ugly American girl you are ever likely to see and then stumbled into a six foot deep roadworks hole on the seafront taking a chunk out of his nose. The things we do when we are young, eh?
Played for both
Darren Currie first made his name as a lower league journeyman with Barnet before moving to Wycombe Wanderers and then the Albion, where he proved to be an inspired Mark McGhee signing arriving on a free and then leaving for Ipswich Town for £250,000 three months later. Ross Flitney played a handful of games for the Albion in goal the previous season on loan from Fulham. He got sent off after 80 seconds when playing for Barnet away at Manchester City in the League Cup in 2005.
Key Men
Jamal Campbell-Ryce has plenty of experience higher up the pyramid and John Akinde averages more than a goal every other game for the Bees.
Betting
Our stiffs proved good enough to beat better teams than Barnet in this competition last season and you’d expect them to do the same again. Given Maty Ryan’s struggles so far, Niki Maenpaa will know this is a real opportunity and will be keen to keep a clean sheet so both teams not to score at evens looks good. Richie Towell scored against Lincoln last season in the FA Cup and at 13/5 he looks good value to net anytime.
WeAreBrighton.com Prediction
A comfortable 3-0 win to the Albion. Yes, we are expecting us to have some shots.
