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The support and ambition is definitely there, two of three home games smashing the 2,000 mark and this one could get pretty close to 3,000 should the Barnet and Stevenage public be enticed by this match. Anybody who has been to the two games at Broadhall Way would certainly want to come back for more after two fantastic matches. I'll be the first to admit though that the 3-2 defeat in 01/02 was probably the more entertaining affair......

Last season though was great. 600 Barnet fans (I still maintain it was more) created a hell of a racket as did the remainder of the 2130 attendance. Plenty of chances went astray until Junior Agogo stuck away a controversial penalty and then Ben Strevens scored THAT goal which gained me and many others some bumps and bruises!

For a neutral at either game, it would have been hard to feel the passion between the two sets of fans. Steven Johnson of Groundstour had THIS to say about Underhill and the Stevenage game last season. I think that review just about sums it up.

Stevenage come off the back of two defeats to Hereford (2-0) and Exeter (1-0) and in three home games have only scored one goal in a victory against Northwich. Away from home they have managed two victories, a draw and a defeat. Barnet however have not lost since Dagenham away (four unbeaten) and have Grazioli back in the frame for the trip. An average performance against Accrington will not set the alarm bells ringing though with a similar performance we could be punished. Perhaps that sounds like I'm expecting too much of the side - I'm not, you can't expect them to play out of their skin every week and get a result, something with Borough manager Graham Westley seems to be doing.

Guiliano Grazioli will be returning to an old hunting ground where he put his name into the national spotlight with the equalising goal against Newcastle United in the famous FA Cup tie. During his nine game spell with Borough, he grabbed himself ten goals before going back to Peterborough. Lee Flynn, one of last season's most consistent performers in a Barnet shirt has been earning good reviews from Borough fans and is Boroguide's Man of the Month for August along with fellow defender Simon Travis.

Victory for either side should see them firmly nestled in the early playoff pack with Hereford streaking ahead having already scored 23 in 7. With a victory Barnet could go third, Stevenage fourth but at this stage if the season it is not so important. The battle to be "The Pride of Hertfordshire" will go on for a while yet although it is confusing that both sides sing it when Watford are three divisions above....

Still, a great game in store, a great atmosphere and a great attendance too (Someone pass me the thesaurus...). Come on Barnet

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Ground
Broadhall Way
Capacity
7,256
Manager
Graham Westley
Chairman
Phil Wallace
2002/2003 Position
13th

 

So then, an almost identical start to the season for Stevenage against slightly tougher opposition and although they have come out with eleven points from seven games, Graham Westley is not really pleased. He seems to be expecting too much from his newly built side.

There are a number of players to look out for, namely Anthony Elding, Lee Flynn and Simon Travis. Elding (readers of my old site will know my other name for him) has started his goalscoring season well and is getting rave reviews from the Borough faithful. Flynn joined Stevenage from us in the summer and you couldn't really blame him at the time - they offered him more money. I've been told that he has been the strongest link in the season so far with consistent and solid performances, no change there then. Recently, Dino Maamria has re-signed for Borough, yes he's the one who ALWAYS scores against us, but fortunately he limped out of the Exeter game so should be missing.

The support and ambition is definitely there, two of three home games smashing the 2,000 mark and this one could get pretty close to 3,000 should the Barnet and Stevenage public be enticed by this match. Anybody who has been to the two games at Broadhall Way would certainly want to come back for more after two fantastic matches. I'll be the first to admit though that the 3-2 defeat in 01/02 was probably the more entertaining affair...

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Getting cooler during the week but warming up for the weekend. Those of you who pointed out that I forecast sun on Saturday were quick to tell me all about the downpour they got caught in. It was sunny for the game, so there.

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23°C - 73°F