Mark Gelder
Saturday sees Oxford United on the road to Barnet FC's Underhill Stadium. United visited towards the end of last season on a Sunny bank holiday in May, Barnet went ahead twice, with James Constable getting both equalising goals to leave the game tied at 2-2. With just two games to go in the season, Barnet were in 23rd spot, a point behind Northampton and two behind Lincoln. United beat Lincoln in the next game, and Barnet lost to Accrington, and Northampton were now clear and safe. In the final matches, Barnet pulled out a 1-0 home win against Port Vale (Izale McLeod penalty), and Lincoln lost 3-0 at Aldershot to see Barnet safe in League 2 for another year, and Lincoln down to the Conference together with Stockport County. Some of the credit for Barnet's survival was put down to the loans from United of Sam Deering and Jack Midson, although neither were in the team for the United fixture.

Caretaker manager Giuliano Graziolo was replaced by consultant Lawrie Sanchez during the close season, but stays on at Barnet as assistant. Ex United player Jude Stirling, fondly remembered for once watching a game with the home fans whilst eating a burger, was on loan at Barnet in 2010-11 and moved on to Notts County, following ex-Barnet manager Martin Allen. Midson was to join AFC Wimbledon following the end of his contract; and Deering's loan to Barnet was made permanent. Deering was a sub for the last two games, after missing the game before for the birth of his baby daughter. Another familiar face will be Exodus Geohaghon who played against United for Kettering, Port Vale, and was in the England 'C' game played at the Kassam. Birthday boy Damien Batt (27 this Friday) will be at his second old club in a week, having started his career at Dagenham and Redbridge in 2003, before spending two seasons at Barnet, moving to St Albans, Stevenage, Woking and Grays before joining the Us.

Barnet's league results have seen them pick up two wins against Morecambe and Plymouth, and draws against Gillingham, Rotherham and Accrington. Danger man is clearly Izale McLeod with seven league goals.

United picked up their first win in four games on Tuesday night at Dagenham, 17 year old West Ham loanee Robert Hall with a goal on his debut. He is not the youngest league scorer for United, Jason Seacole scoring at 16. In one for the stattos, this was United's first 1-0 victory in 17 months, when Kevin Sandwith sealed victory over Wrexham in April 2010.

Team News

Tom Craddock and Tony Capaldi are still recovering from injury. Jonathan Franks has returned to Middlesbrough following an operation to pin his disclocated shoulder, and Adam Chapman has apparently also undergone surgery for a foot injury. Right winger Andy Haworth has been signed on a one month loan deal from Bury, presumably to give some attacking options and changes available on the bench between Constable, Potter, Smalley, Robert Hall and himself.

Travel news

For United fans planning on making the trip by train through London, partial closures of the Circle line and Metropolitan line may make it difficult to make connections. The Northern Line will still rattle its way slowly to High Barnet. Alternatively take an overground from Kings Cross to New Barnet, although it is slightly further to the ground at the other end.

In other news:-

The Plymouth saga rumbles on, the players again having to agree to defer wages.

Stockport County's proposed takeover by Tony Evans has come to nothing, leaving them in 16th place in the Conference.

Luton Town have signed ex-Us player Jamie Hand from Hayes and Yeading until the end of season. [@news]2959[/@news][@player]Deering, Sam[/@player][@player]Batt, Damien[/@player][@player]Seacole, Jason[/@player][@opponent]Barnet[/@opponent][@connection]Barnet[/@connection]