County Cup competitions are not the draw they were many years ago, indeed although clubs are invited to participate by their relevant FA’s not many pro clubs field a first team squad anymore whatever the level.
That was very much the case for the Middlesex Senior Cup final for Barnet’s opponents Brentford who field their B team in the competition and also the London Senior Cup, a young team but also talented. Barnet themselves fielded the 16 fittest players available, such has been the season of injury woe for Dean Brennan’s team.
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But a chance to win some silverware in what’s been another wasted season in the National League, the scene was set at Hampton & Richmond’s Beaveree Stadium for the clash of the Bees (well have you really ever seen a red and white bee though).
Barnet certainly began the more settled of the two sides, their opponents possibly a little unused to playing in front of a crowd which numbered 751 in total, as the early balls into the box came from those in black and amber.
Ross Marshall’s header from a Rob Hall free kick inside the opening five minutes was the first sign it wasn’t going to be one way traffic from the Premier League side’s young guns who as you would have expected played the ball on the deck all evening.
As the half wore on Brentford got more into the game and started the test the Barnet back line with some direct running which they coped with until the 19th minute. Too much space was given to Nathan Young-Coombes and the youngster curled the ball beyond Jake Askew for the game’s opening goal.
The goal knocked Barnet backwards a bit and struggling to maintain possession in midfield was starting to have an effect on the game, Ryan De Havilland having been booked very early on having to be careful not to pick up a second yellow card.
Marshall had Barnet’s best chance of the half heading onto the bar after Askew’s free kick was flicked on and there were a couple of chances for both sides before the half time break but neither could find the back of the net and Brentford’s youngsters went into the interval ahead.
Barnet certainly came out strong again after the break and were level within six minutes, Adam Marriott unable to get a decent connection, the ball fell to De Havilland six yards out and he smashed home the equaliser.
The black and amber Bees continued to press forward looking for a winner, Reece Grego-Cox sent the ball the wrong side of the post after a neat one two with Marriott while skipper Ephron Mason-Clark’s fizzer was a yard over the top of the bar, Barnet looking the more likely to win the tie.
Back came Brentford who then enjoyed a good spell of possession as Barnet began to tire a little and four minutes from time there was a chance for a winner but for Brentford, De Havilland judged to have brought down Young-Coombes in the box, tv watchers telling me it didn’t look a penalty.
However, Askew was equal to the penalty kick, diving to his left to save it and keeping the scores level. Substitute Daniel Powell had a glorious chance to win it for Barnet but his effort was poor and lacked conviction as it didn’t trouble the keeper and went wide of the post.
There was time for a little bit of controversy in stoppage time as Mason-Clark was callously hacked down in front of the dug out’s leading to a few confrontations and a couple of yellow cards for the Barnet bench as the final whistle went soon after for a penalty shoot out to decide the winner.
The first three penalties were scored before ex-Bee Roy Sylla fired his effort over Askew’s bar, Grego-Cox saw his penalty well saved and Askew then repeated the feat to leave Barnet leading 2-1.
Ben Richards-Everton’s shot went in off the post and Peart Harris scored for 3-2 meaning De Havilland had the chance to seal the cup for Barnet, two strides and the ball was in the net, the cup heading to The Hive.
Overall a decent performance from Barnet considering the 16 named were the only players available to turn out with a trip to Dagenham on Friday in mind, good to see some of the injured watching on from the sidelines too.
Askew put in a very good performance, not convinced on his height to be a leading contender for the number one spot next season, De Havilland again despite the early booking was at the heart of all things good while Mason-Clark’s pace worried the Brentford full backs all evening.
Good as always to catch up with Nick Patel, Lee and his son Jack before and during the game, finally got my hands on a Hampton burger which has been on the radar for a few months, it didn’t disappoint either I have to say and the one’s I have had at three National League South clubs this season put’s Barnet’s to shame for its price.
Mention of course for Hampton & Richmond Borough who hosted the game perfectly, my first visit there and a nice easy journey coupled with the good food I will more than likely head there again next season.
Final week and a bit for most non-league club’s and the games come thick and fast with the Easter weekend on the horizon, promises to be a little bit warmer too, time to make up for the cold Tuesday nights in November………
