Bees buzzing again

Two years after being relegated from the Premier League, Barnet are heading back in the right direction after they raced off with the South East Combination Championship.

After having been pressed by Northampton Town for most of last season, and withstanding a late surge from Ipswich Town, the Bees took the title by a margin of six points.

Barnet manager Tracey Kevins told Women's Soccer Scene: "It was an outstanding season - promotion was good in itself but to get three trophies, plus a long FA Women's Cup run, was fantastic. From the start of 2006, the team really started to believe in themselves.

"Our goalkeeper and back four kept eight clean sheets in our last nine matches, which really set us up in the run-in, and Stacey Sowden's 46 goals were rewarded with an England U21 call up."

As well as a number of up and coming players, Tracey was also able to bring in Premier League experience to help the squad. "The level of signings last season, such as Clare Wheatley and Leanne Small, gave an indication of the the level of the club's ambition and standing," she says.

Looking forward to their return to the Premier League, Southern Division, Tracey is determined that Barnet will not be there to make up the numbers.

"This coming season I believe we could be a surprise package in the division, as we aim to finish as high as possible," she says. "We want to put Barnet back on the football map, with the future aim of becoming established in the Premier League."

Barnet start their campaign at home to Millwall Lionesses on Sunday 20 August.