Bostik League Premier

Leatherhead 2 POTTERS BAR TOWN 1

The Scholars poor run continued despite taking the lead through Dernell Wynter. Goals from Travis Gregory and Ibrahim Olutade ensured victory for the hosts.

Attendance: 311

League Position: 16th

Merstham 3 WINGATE & FINCHLEY 0

The Blues slipped into the bottom three after their third straight league defeat. Goals from Kershaney Samuels, Walter Figueira and a Roman Michael-Percil penalty completed another poor afternoon for Nicky Shorey’s team.

Atttendance: 152

League Position: 20th

Evo Stik League Premier South

HENDON 1 Kings Langley 2

Two second half goals grabbed the points for the visitors after Elliott Charles had given Hendon a 21st minute lead. To make matters worse the Greens who have now lost their last seven matches also had Matt Harriot red carded.

Attendance: 236

League Position: 10th

Spartan South Midlands League Premier

HADLEY 3 EDGWARE TOWN 0

Manny Hammond was the hero for the Bricks grabbing a hat trick as Hadley moved level on points with league leaders Tring Athletic.

League Position: 2nd

League Position:

When the draw for the FA Cup third round was made there’s little doubt there was a tinge of disappointment for Barnet fans. Hoping for Manchester United or Arsenal to visit the Hive the Bees were handed a 320 mile round trip to the steel city of Sheffield. But it’s a new ground and a chance to soak up the atmosphere of the city where the Full Monty was set and sit in one of the oldest sports stadia in the country. Bramall Lane was first opened in 1855 as a cricket ground Sheffield United moving in 34 years later. For Barnet boss Darren Currie it’s also a chance to meet up with his uncle Tony who is a Blades legend who made 375 appearances for the club and still works as it’s Community Co-ordinator.

Eighty three places separate the two teams in footballs league structure, the Blades have their eyes on a place back in the top flight sitting in third place in the Championship. Under the guidance of former Oxford boss Chris Wilder they are on a good run having won the last three games only conceding once in the process. Sheffield United have a proud FA Cup history although most of it dates back over a century winning the competition four times before 1925. Their best recent run come in 2014 when they reached the semi finals.

The Bees will be cheered on by five coaches of travelling fans who will be hoping for an upset which will take Barnet into the fourth round for the third time. It’s hoped skipper Callum Reynolds has recovered from the knock that forced him off in the second half of Tuesdays draw with Boreham Wood as Darren Currie looks to name an unchanged line-up for the third match.

There will be full live match commentary from Pete Hill & Garry Lakin in an HRB FA Cup Special starting at 1:45pm on Sunday.

Sheffield Fact: Liquorice Allsorts have been manufactured in Sheffield for over 100 years.

National League

BARNET 1 Boreham Wood 1

Darren Currie came within six minutes of his first home win as Barnet boss on a frustrating afternoon at the Hive. After a cagey first half which had seen Barnet provide plenty of pretty approach play the visitors had the only notable chance when Marc Cousins saved well from Ricky Shakes strike. The home side though were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Dan Sweeney was wrestled to the ground by Jamal Fyfield. Barnet were forced to reorganise after the break skipper Callum Reynolds taking a heavy fall in the box to be replaced by Simeon Akinola. Ephron Mason- Clark gave the Bees the lead after 68 minutes with a thunderbolt from outside the area, Jack Taylor coming close to adding number two when Wood keeper Ryan Huddard turned his goal bound effort over the top. Six minutes from time the visitors were level Akinola gave the ball away before bringing down Sorber Thomas in the box allowing Bradley Ash to equalise from the spot.

Bees: Cousins, Alexander, Johnson, Reynolds (Akinola), Elito, Robson, Sweeney, Mason-Clark (Harrison), Coulthirst, Adams, J.Taylor

Attendance: 2087

HRB Man of the Match: Dan Sweeney

League Position: 14th

Bostik League Premier

WINGATE & FINCHLEY 0 Haringey Borough 4

The Blues were no match for the league leaders who confirmed their place at the top of the table. Raking Richards gave the visitors a half time lead before two goals in six second half minutes from Anthony McDonald and Scott Durojayie effectively put the contest beyond Wingate’s reach. Mark Kirby completed the scoring after the home side had Lane Eadie red carded.

Attendance: 266

League Position: 18th

Evo Stik League Premier South

HENDON 0 Chesham United 1

A last minute goal from Bradley Clayton condemned Hendon to their sixth straight defeat at Silver Jubilee Park.

Attendance: 303

League Position: 8th

In accordance with the best of traditions HRB Sport is on air less than 15 hours into the New Year to bring you the best coverage of local sport.

What better way to start 2019 than a mouthwatering local derby. Barnet and Boreham Wood met just 6 days ago in a closely fought contest that ended in a Bradley Ash winner 2 minutes from time.

Since then fortunes have reversed with Barnet winning at Dagenham & Redbridge in Darren Currie’ s first match as coach while Wood lost to Maidstone United.

Garry Lakin and Pete Hill are live at the Hive as the local rivals aim to begin 2019 with 3 points. Reports and full second half commentary on this key mid table battle.

Also on the menu are 2 other important local matchest.

Wingate & Finchley had a tough start to the current season and face high fliers Haringey Borough; while Hendon have struggled recently after a strong early run and welcome Chesham United.

Mel Beresford is back at the helm to guide you through the first 90 minutes action and all the talking points.

Wishing all our teams a successful 2019

A year which started with the Bees in 23rd place in League Two, saw them end 13th in the National League and on to their fifth Manager in 12 months. The appointment of Darren Currie as temporary Head Coach already seems to have galvanised the team and fans alike. On the pitch Saturday’s 1-0 win at in form Dagenham & Redbridge was achieved with the best performance for quite some time, while off the pitch there is an air of quiet optimism. Today Barnet’s new boss faces his first home match in charge as near neighbours Boreham Wood head down the A1 for the ‘ Get Out of My Pub ‘ derby. The Boxing Day meeting between the two turned into a ‘right old dust up’ as Danny Dyer would say. Nine bookings shirts ripped off backs and a match distinctly lacking in any great footballing skills. The Wood’s last minute winner serving to add more spice to this afternoons re-match.

With Simeon Akinola and Mauro Vilhete edging their way back to full fitness it will be interesting to see if either or both are involved this afternoon. It will be a welcome back for Bees old boys David Stephens and Tom Champion while Callum Reynolds will face the club where he spent four frustrating years. Boreham Wood’s away form has seen them win just twice on the road so far. They will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing home defeat by Maidstone at the weekend.

Having games in hand on all their rivals the Bees still have a chance of squeezing into the play off picture but they will have to take the opportunity of three points today before they set off on an FA Cup and FA Trophy double.

As always we’ll have live commentary from Pete Hill & Garry Lakin at The Hive in an HRB New Year Sports Special from 2:30. COY🐝 ⚽️⚽️⚽️

Boreham Wood Fact: Famous for being the home to Eastenders nearby Elstree Studios was responsible for producing such blockbusters as Star Wars, The Shining, 2001 a Space Odyssey, Superman IV and Mutiny On The Buses

National League

Dagenham & Redbridge 0 BARNET 1

Darren Currie got off to the perfect start as Bees new Head Coach thanks to Shaq Coulthirst’s fifth goal of the season. Barnet fielding two defensive midfield players dominated the early exchanges taking the lead after 34 minutes when Coulthirst bundled the ball over the line after the Daggers had blocked Craig Robson’s header from Medy Elito’s corner. The introduction of Lamar Reynolds at half time led to the home side enjoying their best period of the match. Marc Cousins who’d blocked Balanta’s effort in the first half denying Reynolds with an excellent sliding challenge on the edge of the area. The arrival of Simeon Akinola after 59 minutes produced a big cheer from the 301 Bees fans and the substitute almost scored curling a right foot shot over the top. Substitute Shamir Mullins missed the Daggers best chance of drawing level heading wide with only Cousins to beat.

Bees: Cousins, C.Reynolds, Alexander, Sweeney, Johnson, Adams, Robson, Mason-Clark (Akinola), J.Taylor, Elito (Harrison), Coulthirst (Tutonda)

Attendance: 1775 (301)

HRB Man of the Match: Shaq Coulthirst

League Position: 13th

Bostik League Premier

POTTERS BAR TOWN 1 Enfield Town 2

The Scholars were struck by another late goal when former Wingate & Finchley defender Marc Weatherstone scored the winner 3 minutes from time. Sean Bonnet-Johnson‘s first goal for the club had put Potters Bar ahead in the 6th minute only for Muhammadu Faal pulling the visitors level three minutes later.

Attendance: 504

League Position: 15th

Spartan South Midlands League Premier

HADLEY 3 Leverstock Green 0

Goals from Nathan Linton, Shaq Anwar and Manny Hammond gave the Bricks a comfortable victory.

League Position: 3rd

EDGWARE TOWN 4 London Tigers 0

League Position: 9th

The final Saturday of 2018 promises to end the local sporting year in style with plenty of key games and many talking points. A poor sequence of results in the last round adds to the importance of the matches and as usual HRB Sport will be on air to report all the action.

Centre stage will be commentary on Barnet’s visit to Dagenham & Redbridge, with Darren Currie taking charge of his first match following John Still’s retirement.

News and goal action from Boreham Wood, looking to build on their derby win, Potters Bar, Hadley and Edgware.

Saracens’ memorable year concludes with a festive fixture at Allianz Park, with the Men in Black looking to bounce back from their first defeat of the season. Exeter Chiefs loss to Northampton on Friday means Sarries can regain top spot with a bonus point victory against Worcester Warriors.

Martin and Fiona are back in the presenters seat from 2.30…..featuring

The Bees travel to East London looking to salvage something from a festive campaign that turned into a plate of the coldest turkey at Boreham Wood on Boxing Day. Not only did they fall to their second consecutive defeat to a goal in the last ten minutes of a match but the lack of attacking presence made it a frustrating visit for the 977 Barnet fans.

Tomorrows match has been given added importance by the fact that it will be the first without John Still in the managers dug out. His comments on the clubs website suggest that Darren Currie will be in charge of the squad at the Chigwell Construction Stadium. Currie spent two seasons as a player at Dagenham as well as being part of John Still’s coaching team at the club.

The problem facing the caretaker boss is that so far the seven recognised strikers in the Bees squad have only managed 14 goals between them. In contrast last time Barnet were at this level John Akinde had surpassed that total on his own by the middle of November. It will be interesting to see which attacking options Barnet’s 5th manager of 2018 picks against a Daggers side who currently top the divisions form league.

Under the wise eye of Peter Taylor Dagenham have won seven out of their last eight since going down 1-0 at Sutton on November 3rd and beat league leaders Orient 2-1 on Boxing Day. Things are looking up for the club off the pitch as well after being taken over by an American consortium which includes former Everton keeper Tim Howard.

Bees have only won one once at the newly named Chigwell Construction Stadium Luke Gambin and Michael Nelson scoring the goals in February 2016. The teams met earlier this season when Barnet recovered from conceding a goal in the opening minute to take the points courtesy of goals from Wes Fonguck and Jack Barham.

We’ll have full live commentary on the match from Pete Hill and Garry Lakin starting at 2:55.

Dagenham Fact: Famous people born in Dagenham include Dudley Moore, Sandie Shaw, Sir Alf Ramsey and Terry Venables.