Barnet's impressive start to the League Two season faces a significant historical challenge as they prepare to meet Exeter City. The Bees travel to Devon sitting top of the table with seven points from their opening three matches, a position built on a remarkable run of away form.
Dean Brennan's side has begun the campaign in fine fettle. They currently lead League Two, having taken seven points from a possible nine with a record of two wins and one draw. Their recent form reads DWW, and they have netted eight goals while conceding four, giving them a healthy +4 goal difference. This strong start includes a 3-1 victory over Salford City and a 1-3 win at Shrewsbury Town. They also demonstrated their attacking prowess with a 5-1 thrashing of Arsenal's U21 side in the EFL Trophy.
Their most notable achievement, however, is a club-record sequence of five consecutive away wins in the Football League. Before this run, they had never managed more than three wins in a row on their travels. This resilience on the road will be vital as they head to St James Park.
The historical data makes for sobering reading for Barnet supporters. Exeter City have dominated this fixture in recent years. The Grecians have won their last four Football League meetings against Barnet. Looking further back, Barnet have managed just one victory in their last 19 league encounters with Exeter, drawing seven and losing eleven.
Their most recent EFL clash was a 2-1 win for Exeter at The Hive in December 2017. The sides also met in the FA Cup in November 2024, with Exeter running out 5-3 winners in a thrilling tie. This upcoming match marks their first meeting in the EFL since that 2017 fixture, ending a near-nine-year hiatus in league competition.
Exeter's start has been more mixed. They currently occupy 15th place with three points from their three games. Their sole league win was a 2-0 home victory over Accrington Stanley, but they have suffered defeats to York City and Grimsby Town. They were also knocked out of both the EFL Trophy and the League Cup by Plymouth Argyle, losing 2-0 on each occasion.
Manager Gary Caldwell will be looking for a response from his players. A positive historical note for the Grecians is that they are aiming to win both of their first two home league games of a season for only the second time in nine campaigns, having last achieved it in the 2022-23 season. Securing three points against the league leaders would provide a major boost.
This match pits Barnet's free-scoring attack against an Exeter side still finding its defensive footing. The Bees' eight-goal haul is the joint-highest in the division. Exeter, having conceded in each of their league games, will need to be organised to contain that firepower. The midfield battle will be intense, with both teams looking to establish control and supply their forwards. Barnet's confidence from their away streak will clash with Exeter's desire to rectify their early-season inconsistencies at home.
Following this fixture, the schedule continues apace. Barnet will look to maintain their momentum at the summit, while Exeter will aim to climb the table. Fans can check the full schedule for both sides on our comprehensive fixtures list. The next match for Barnet after this trip is a home encounter, details of which are available alongside all player information on our squad page. Exeter City's next League Two fixture is also a home game, scheduled for the following weekend.
