Barnet FC back in action after break, second in League Two

Barnet FC is set to resume play following an international break, with a trip to AFC Wimbledon in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy scheduled for Tuesday evening. This match marks the beginning of a busy October for Dean Brennan’s team. The club's last competitive fixture was a 3-1 victory against Fleetwood Town on 19 September 2026, a result that placed them at the top of the Sky Bet League Two table before the break.

Despite the absence of players called up for international duty, including Idris Kanu, Isiah Noel-Williams, Brandon Comley, and Oisin Gallagher, Barnet returns to the field in second place in the league standings. They are currently one point adrift of the league leaders. The team's recent form includes a 2-1 win over Accrington Stanley, a 3-3 draw with Chesterfield, a 1-1 draw with Exeter City, and a 2-2 draw with Cheltenham Town.

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Cup Competition and League Position

A victory against AFC Wimbledon in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy would secure Barnet's place in the competition's knockout stages. This follows a previous emphatic win over Arsenal U21s. The team's performance in the league sees them in strong contention, having accumulated 12 points from their opening eight games. Their last league outing, the win against Fleetwood Town, was part of a sequence of results that kept them in contention for the top spot.

AFC Wimbledon has also had a positive start to their 2026/27 campaign, accumulating 12 points from their initial eight league matches. However, they experienced a defeat in their opening Jersey Mike’s Trophy fixture against Leyton Orient, losing on penalties. Recent league successes against Doncaster Rovers and Bromley have elevated their standing, and they have maintained an unbeaten run in the league for over a month, with draws against MK Dons and Cambridge United.

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Team Management and Key Players

Johnnie Jackson, a former midfielder for Charlton Athletic and Colchester United, manages AFC Wimbledon. This is his second managerial role. He previously served as first-team coach and caretaker manager at Charlton before taking the permanent position in December 2021. He joined Wimbledon shortly after departing Charlton at the end of the 2021/22 season. Jackson guided Wimbledon to promotion via the League Two Play-offs in 2025 and secured a 19th-place finish last season.

A player to watch for AFC Wimbledon is Myles Hippolyte. The 31-year-old forward has been a consistent threat for the Dons this season, leading the team in goals scored. His notable strikes have come against Bromley, Wigan Athletic, and Doncaster Rovers. Hippolyte has previously played for clubs including Stockport County, Scunthorpe, and Falkirk before joining Wimbledon in 2024. He is also remembered for his winning goal in the League Two Play-off final against Walsall in May 2025.

Past Encounters

The last meeting between Barnet and AFC Wimbledon was a friendly match in August 2024, which Barnet won 2-0. However, their most recent professional encounter was in August 2017, where AFC Wimbledon secured a 4-3 victory in an EFL clash. Ruben Bover, Shaquile Coulthirst, and Andre Blackman scored for Barnet in that match.

Following the match against AFC Wimbledon, Barnet's league schedule continues with a trip to face Bristol Rovers on Saturday.