BARNET FC LADIES NEWS

After suffering the disappointment of relegation from the FA Women's Premier League last season, Barnet FC Ladies start the 2004/05 season in the new surroundings of the SouthEast Combination League.  However, like their male counterparts the Bees' Ladies are determined that their stay outside the top flight will be as brief as possible.

Tracey Kevins, one of the most highly qualified female coaches in the Women's game and a long time Barnet player, has assumed responsibility for first team affairs.  Assisted by Phil Longuehaye, she has set about assembling a talented young squad capable of winning promotion back to the FA Women's Premier League.

Barnet FC Ladies have enjoyed a successful summer participating in the various tournaments that are a feature of the female game.  The Bees' have already commenced their pre-season training programme, determined that they will be physically prepared for the new campaign.

In addition Barnet FC Ladies have arranged a number of pre-season friendlies to ensure that they can hit the ground running when the SouthEast Combination League season starts on Sunday 22 August 2004.

Barnet FC Ladies plays its home matches at Hanwell Town FC, Reynolds Field, Perivale Lane, Greenford, Middlesex.  League matches are generally played on Sunday afternoons kick-off 2.00pm.

For further details please call John Taylor on 01252 541252.

Barnet FC Ladies to entertain Japanese Tourists &&

Barnet FC Ladies will play Japanese touring side Musashigaoka College as part of their pre-season build up. The teams last met in August 2000 when the visitors won 5-2 in a match played at Underhill. This season's match will be played at Hanwell Town FC on Sunday 8 August 2004, kick-off 3.00 pm.

The Bees have also arranged pre-season friendlies against Chelsea (4 August), Langford (11 August) and Reading Royals (15 August).

Bees kick-off pre-season programme &&

Barnet FC Ladies kicked off their programme of pre-season friendlies with a match with FAWPL Southern Division promotion favourites Chelsea at Colney Heath FC last night (4 August).  Considering this was their first 11 a-side outing of the season, Barnet gave an excellent account of themselves and the 3-0 scoreline in favour of Chelsea was not a true reflection of the game. 

Indeed, Barnet were unlucky not level the score at 1-1 when Hayley Johnson's effort was ruled out for offside shortly before half time.  However, as the game progressed it was evident that the Chelsea side was further into its pre-season preparations than Barnet, as they kick off their league programme in just over a week's time.

All in all though, and despite the result, it was a highly satisfactory opening for the Bees.

Bees travel to Gillingham for Opener &&

Gillingham will be Barnet FC Ladies' first opponents in their 2004/05 SouthEast Combination League campaign, when fixtures commence on Sunday 22 August 2004.  Barnet's visit to play the Kent side will be the first competitive meeting between the two clubs, although they did meet in a pre-season friendly prior to the 2002/03 season.

A week later the Bees' will entertain Bedford Town at Hanwell Town in their first home league fixture of the season.  Newly promoted Northampton Town are the opponents for an away fixture on 5 September, whilst the Bees play hosts to Rushden & Diamonds on 12 September 2004.

Barnet's SouthEast Combination fixture list contains some attractive local derbies against Queens Park Rangers, West Ham United and another newly promoted side Leyton Orient.  Norwich City may also present a barrier to the Bees' hopes of a swift return to the FA Women's Premier League.