This weekend, Saturday Sport features commentary from the Hive as Barnet welcome Hartlepool United, with scores and reports from around the borough, updates from the Six Nations, the rugby league season openers and finals weekend at the Australian Open.

After two failed attempts, Barnet treated their fans to a winning performance in their FA Trophy replay against Farsley Celtic on Tuesday. Dan Sparkes lit up the occasion on a bitterly cold night by scoring from a free-kick early in the second half. Scorer then turned provider with three minutes to go allowing Josh Walker to seal Barnet’s progress to the Third Round where they will host Barrow on 8th February.

Darren Currie has strengthened his striking options by signing Paul McCallum on loan from Solihull Moors until the end of the season. A West Ham academy product, McCallum has represented Portsmouth, Aldershot, Orient and Eastleigh where he was instrumental in the team reaching the play offs last season scoring 27 goals in all competitions. Barnet have the option to make the deal permanent after the current campaign.

Boreham Wood have also reinforced their team through a well-known loan signing. Former keeper Grant Smith returns from Lincoln City having spent two seasons at Meadow Park culminating in the Play Off Final defeat to Tranmere.

Barnet and Boreham Wood’s postponed league clash will now take place on Tuesday March 3rd.

Potters Bar have announced a couple of signings. Striker Marvin Morgan has resigned from Hornchurch after a wealth of experience in League Two, and being well known in the area following stints at Hendon and Wingate & Finchley. 15 years his junior, Charlie Barker has joined from Braintree Town after starting his career at Orient.

Wingate & Finchley have confirmed the departure of Kenyan Under 23 International Henry Ochieng. The midfielder moves back into pro football with League of Ireland Premier Division Cork City. The Blues’ challenge to escape the foot of the table became tougher in midweek with rivals Brightlingsea Regent and Corinthian Casuals picking up points.

Hendon loan goalkeeper Rihards Matrevics has had his monthly deal extended by Barnet. Three clean sheets in the last four matches have contributed significantly to the club’s winning run and resulted in the stopper being awarded Player of the Month for January.

Saturday February 1st

2.30 – 6.30

Presenter: Mel

National League

Barnet v Hartlepool United – Garry and Nick

AFC Fylde v Boreham Wood

Isthmian Premier

Brightlingsea Regent v Potters Bar Town – Alan

Bishop’s Stortford v Wingate & Finchley – Paul

Southern Premier South

Hendon v Yate Town – David

Spartan South Midlands Premier

Wembley v Edgware Town 

This weekend, Saturday Sport features commentary from Barnet’s visit to Bromley with scores and reports from around the borough, a preview of the Six Nations, the final Test in Joburg and the middle weekend of the Australian Open.

A 3G pitch in south London should ensure Barnet play their first game in a fortnight following three successive postponements. A frozen goalmouth led to a last minute decision to call off Tuesday’s Trophy replay against Farsley Celtic. A third attempt will be made on Tuesday 28th January when new signing Alexander McBurnie could make his home debut. The midfielder came through the Bradford Academy but has played most of his football abroad.

Hendon, who’ve won their last 3 league games and whose improvement in results has coincided with the arrival of Simeon Olalerin from Staines Town, have signed a contract with the 18 year old until the end of next season.

Hadley have reached the semi-finals of the Errington Challenge Cup after dismantling Ilford on Wednesday. Solomon Ofori, with a hat-trick, and Yemi Buraimoh were the scorers in a 4-1 victory.

Saturday January 25th

2.30 – 6.30

Presenter: Mel

National League

Bromley v  Barnet

Nick

Boreham Wood v Barrow

Isthmian Premier

Potters Bar Town v Bognor Regis Town

Alan

Wingate & Finchley v Brightlingsea Regent

Paul

Southern Premier South

Wimborne Town v Hendon 

David

Essex Senior League

Stansted v Hadley

Bob

Spartan South Midlands Premier

Edgware Town v Baldock Town

No show

European Champions Cup

Saracens v Racing 92

2.40 – 5.15

Presenter: Nick with David and Alex

Happy New Year! Here at HRB we trust your festive season was jolly, and hope that 2020 will be healthy, memorable and successful for all of us and our teams.

The first Saturday Sport show of the year still has some crackers to pull, with commentary from the Hive, scores and reports from around the borough, and the Third Round of the FA Cup.

Although we have no local representation Mel will be keeping an eye on Hartlepool United at Oxford, one of two non league teams trying to emulate Barnet’s success last season. The other, AFC Fylde are at the scene of the Bees triumph a year back, Bramall Lane, on Sunday.

After two successive goalless draws on the road and a washout, Darren Currie’s team play their first home league match at The Hive in a month. Early pace setters FC Halifax Town are the visitors, with 3 points separating the teams, and Barnet just 4 away from the top 7 with a game in hand.

Two home defeats over New Year leave Potters Bar in the bottom half, ahead of today’s visit to struggling Merstham.

Wingate & Finchley also lost their opening game of the year, and remain in the bottom two as they visit 6th placed Cray.

Hendon too suffered a double reverse over the holiday period, leaving them precariously placed above the drop zone as they host Weston-super-Mare

Bees goalkeeper Rihards Matrovics’ loan deal at Hendon, where he has played 6 matches has been extended until the end of January.

Hadley return to action after their Christmas break. The Bricks first match in 3 weeks is a mouth watering clash at home to leaders Saffron Walden Town.

Edgware Town lie 12th after a 6 goal thriller against 4th placed Harpenden Town.

Saracens were beaten at league leaders Exeter, and have announced the retirement of pioneering chairman Nigel Wray. After 25 years at the helm, during which time he oversaw the club’s rise from nowhere to becoming multiple English and European champions, he has decided that a fresh start is needed. Despite being tarnished by the recent revelations over salary cap misdemeanours and a 35 point deduction, the Wray family will continue to invest in the club. Edward Griffiths returns as interim chairman for the coming year.

Without a local win over the holiday period, we’re looking for an immediate change in fortune today.

Onwards and upwards in 2020!

Saturday January 4th

2.30 – 6.30

Presenter: Mel

National League

Barnet v FC Halifax Town

Nick

Stockport County v Boreham Wood

Isthmian Premier

Merstham v Potters Bar Town 

Alan

Cray Wanderers v Wingate & Finchley

Paul

Southern Premier South

Hendon v Weston-Super-Mare

David

Essex Senior League

Hadley v Saffron Walden Town

Bob

Spartan South Midlands Premier

Tring Athletic v Edgware Town

Premiership

Saracens v Worcester

Preview

FA Women’s Super League

Tottenham Hotspur Women v Manchester City Women

Dan