FA Cup Second Round

BARNET 1 Stockport County 0

Dan Sparkes first Barnet goal headed home after 7 minutes was enough to put the Bees into the third round for the first time in a decade. In a match of few chances Che Alexander provided the cross for Sparkes far post header in front of over 1500 visiting fans. Josh Walker produced Barnet’s other main opportunity forcing Hatters keeper Ben Hinchliffe to turn his shot over the top. At the other end Frank Mulhern missed the visitors best chance putting the ball wide from 5 yards after Mark Cousins had failed to collect a left wing cross. Stockport enjoyed plenty of second half possession but the Barnet defence in which Dan Sweeney was outstanding held on to set up a potential meeting with one of footballs giants in the third round.

Bees: Cousins, Reynolds, Sweeney, Johnson, Robson, Sparkes, Alexander, Fonguck (Adams), J.Taylor, Harrison (Duku), Walker (Elito)

HRB Man of the Match: Dan Sweeney

FA Cup Third Round draw Monday 7:30pm Barnet will be ball number 59

It’s been ten years since The Bees have graced the third round of the worlds premier domestic cup competition setting up a record equalling run by overcoming Swindon Town in a penalty shoot out at Underhill. With a potential meeting with one of the games elite 90 minutes away Barnet fans will no doubt be looking forward to the meeting with Stockport County with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. The Hatters are expected to bring 1,400 fans to the Hive and despite being half way down the National League North will be full of confidence after a 3-0 FA Trophy win over Chorley last week took their current run to just one defeat in their last ten games. Stockport beat Yeovil comfortably in round one and will fancy their chances of securing a place in round three.

Assistant Manager Darren Currie has admitted the Bees will have to change their mindset from the victory at Bristol Rovers as they will be favourites on Sunday. Whether the home fans will leave happy depends on which Barnet turns up. The one that performed so well at Hartlepool and Bristol or the team that struggled at home to Gateshead. John Still will have to decide on his most effective striking partnership with Mo Bettamer, Manny Duku, Byron Harrison and Josh Walker all fighting for two places.

Last time the two teams met a 3-1 Stockport victory at Underhill cost then Barnet Manager Mark Stimson his job.

We’ll have live commentary from Pete Hill and Garry Lakin in an HRB Sports Special from 2pm.

Stockport Fact: Impressionist Mike Yarwood was born in The town and is a lifelong Hatters fan.

Evo-Stik League Premier South

HENDON 3 Merthyr Town 0

The Greens recorded their first win in five thanks to a first half double from Cole Brown and a 73rd minute effort from Shaquille Hippolyte-Patrick.

Attendance: 249

League Position: 4th

Bostik League Premier

POTTERS BAR TOWN 1 Margate 2

The Scholars slumped to their fourth league defeat in a row on a disappointing afternoon at The Pakex. After Bradley Sach had produced a fine save from visiting keeper Henry Newcombe and George Nicholas hit the bar from distance before James Budden’s error set up George Brown to give the visitors the lead in first half injury time. The Gate’s second arrived after 58 minutes when Jack Paxman nodded in at the near post with the Potters Bar defence claiming the ball had already gone out of play. Sean Grace reduced the arrears heading in a Keagan Cole free kick but despite plenty of possession the Scholars couldn’t find an equaliser.

Attendance: 157

League Position: 15th

WINGATE & FINCHLEY 2 Corinthian Casuals 0

The Blues built on their midweek FA Trophy heroics with a solid display at the Abraham’s. Sean Cronin put the home side ahead after 20 minutes Reece Mitchell doubling the home advantage on 58.

Attendance: 133

League Position 16th

Spartan South Midlands League Premier

Crawley Green 2 HADLEY 1

Hadley three points off of top spot after going down to their fifth league defeat of the season. Nathan Linton scored the Bricks goal.

League Position: 3rd

Cockfosters v EDGWARE TOWN – match postponed waterlogged pitch.