MATCH PREVIEW | BARNET FC V SOUTHEND UNITED

Barnet’s last game of 2023 will see them take on Southend at The Hive after beating them 2-0 last Tuesday.

So, what’s the Buzz?
The second league fixture against Southend in a row, Dean Brennan’s side will look to secure another three points as the calendar year draws to a close. In the game at Roots Hall, Barnet started well with a Reece Hall-Johnson goal in the fourth minute. Harry Pritchard then got his fourth goal of the season with a 78th penalty.

Club Profile
Club Name: Southend United F.C.
Nickname: The Shrimpers
Founded: 1906
Ground: Roots Hall
Manager: Kevin Maher
League Position: 15th
Form: DLLWL

Opposition Report
Despite a poor first ten minutes, Southend warmed into the game and took it to The Bees for periods of the match, but couldn’t finish their chances.

Now with one win in five games, Kevin Maher’s side will want to bounce back at The Hive and will be supported by over 1,500 travelling fans.

One to Watch: Henry Sandat
During the away fixture, Southend loanee from Hull City Henry Sandat looked like a positive for the Blues. Getting used to first-team football again after playing for the Hull City under-23s, Sandat will want to finish the chances he receives after Laurie Walker dealt with everything that came his way. Sandat definitely has the ability to do so, with great movement in behind the defensive line that Barnet will have to keep an eye on.

In the Dugout: Kevin Maher
On Thursday, Maher looked ahead to tomorrow’s game, saying, “We’ll go there with a great following and hopefully put in a similar performance in terms of our control.”

A club legend, Maher made 383 league appearances for The Shrimpers between 1998 and 2008. During this time, he captained the side to two back-to-back promotions from League Two to the Championship.

After retiring in 2015, Maher rejoined Southend in a coaching capacity as U21 manager before joining Bristol Rovers as a first-team coach. In 2021, Maher was appointed to his first permanent head coach role back at Southend, and has been there since, overseeing 112 league games since then.