Brave Barnet lose on penalties to Brentford

Last Updated : 09-Mar-2009 by





In October 2003, the two clubs met in the 1st round of the LDV Vans Trophy, a forerunner of the current Johnstones Paint Trophy. The LDV Vans trophy was for clubs from the bottom two leagues in the Football League and the Conference clubs that finished in the top half of the table, the previous season.

Barnet were a Conference club at the time and were placed 4th in the table. Barnet's side for this game was much changed with a lot of young players and squad players included in the side against a pretty strong Brentford side even though it was not their full first team. Only Simon King and Lewis Hogg were regular first team players at the time. Goalkeeper, Shane Gore had just arrived from Wimbledon to replace David Forde whose loan spell had ended suddenly when he was recalled by West Ham. On the bench was Liam Hatch who was named in the squad for the first time since injuring himself in the pre-season match against Arsenal, following his summer move from Gravesend & Northfleet.





The young Bees started the game in great style, dominating the early stages and they were rewarded in the 6th minute with a stunning goal from Guy Lopez which was voted goal of the season at the end of the season. He hit an unstoppable shot from 25 yards into the top right hand corner of the goal.

A few minutes later, Barnet almost went 2-0 up when a Mark Rooney cross was headed just wide by ex Banbury striker, Norman Sylla. On 34 minutes, Barnet did go further in front when Roget handled in the penalty area and Solomon Henry made no mistake from the penalty spot to give the Barnet Bees a 2-0 half time lead.

For the second half, Brentford brought on the experienced Hutchinson and O'Conner and the game began to swing away from the home side. Jay Tabb drilled home a goal for the visitors, 7 minutes into the second half to make the score 2-1. Two minutes later, Brentford's Ben May was sent off, but Brentford kept the pressure on Barnet. However it looked as though Barnet would hold out but 5 minutes from the end, young centre-back, Mark Cumberbatch gave away a penalty when he brought down Tabb and Stephen Hunt, now with Reading, scored from the penalty to bring the scores level at 2-2, which was how it remained at full time.

This meant extra time and Tabb scored a second after 98 minutes from a Hutchinson cross and it looked as though a tired Barnet were going to be overrun, but six minutes later a Simon King free kick fell invitingly for Liam Hatch who scored his first goal for the club to make it 3-3. Hatch nearly won the match for Barnet but Paul smith, the Brentford keeper saved well and the game went to penalties where, unfortunately for Barnet, Brentford won 3-1. Only Lewis Hogg scored for Barnet. Baimass, Rooney and Hatch all missed.





It was a very brave performance by a young Barnet side who were, in the end, extremely unlucky to lose.

Barnet: Gore; Rooney, Cumberbatch, King, Taggart; Baimass, Hogg, Lopez, Henry (Freeman 90); Sylla (Hatch 79), Roache.

Subs not used: Millard, Luke Smith, Jamie Smith.

Brentford: Paul Smith, Dobson, Roget, Kitamirike, Frampton (Jay Smith), Rougier (Hutchinson 45), Evans, Tabb, Hunt, Olugbodi (O'Conner 46), May.

Subs not used: Somner, Lennie.

Attendance: 1248