The Bees’ return to the Carabao Cup is short lived despite two late goals reports Nick Sandamas

Barnet FC play Aveley in the FA Trophy — The Bees in action last season – (Credit – Nick Sandamas)

Barnet 2 Newport County 2 (Newport win 4-2 on pens)

The promoted Bees produced a quite astonishing fightback against the Exiles – scoring twice in time added on – only to go out on spot kicks in this Carabao Cup preliminary round tie.

Barnet, who were missing three of their key players from last season, started with five of their eleven summer signings including debutante Joe Wright in goal, and the first chance fell to Newport’s Matt Smith on the twenty minute mark but Wright got down well to gather his low shot.

Soon after, Bees’ Emmanuel Osadebe tried his luck with turn and shot but could only find the gloves of Nik Tzanev.

Then, on 31 minutes, the Exiles hit the front when a firm header across the area found Cameron Antwi who let fly with a vicious volley past Wright.

With half time two minutes away, another moment of magic put the visitors two ahead when Michael Reindorf twisted & turned before finding the top corner of the net.

Zak Brunt let fly as the whistle approached for the break but Tzanev got fingertips to the ball to ensure his side remained two goals up.

Early in the second half, goalscorer Reindorf shot over whilst stretching for the ball whilst at the other end Idris Kanu did likewise.

Dean Brennan made three changes mid way through the second half and this seemed to make his side more threatening going forward.

With seven minutes of normal time left, Kanu was unlucky as his shot hit the post and bounced away, whilst Anthony Hartigan’s low drive from the edge of the box saw Tzanev scramble down to put the ball behind for a corner.

Then, with 97 minutes on the clock, the Bees finally got on the scoresheet with sub Ryan Galvin poking the ball into the net after Ollie Hawkins played a ball over the top into his path. This was just a consolation goal (or so we thought).

Then, 120 seconds later, another sub Rhys Browne found himself unmarked and got his head a Kanu cross to equalise & take the game to penalties.

In the shoot out, Wright saved the Exiles’ first kick from Ged Garner but, despite going in front, Joe Hugill & Kane Smith missed, leaving Cam Evans to slot home to win the game for the Welsh side and secure a tie against Millwall in the First Round.

A spirited performance from the Bees (especially in the second half) and lots to take forward into Saturday when they host Fleetwood in their opening EFL fixture.

Team: Wright, Collinge (Galvin 80), Senior, Kensdale, Glover (Smith 66), Osadebe (Adeniran 46), Hartigan, Brunt (High 66), Shelton (Browne 66), Hugill, Kanu

Subs not used: Evans, Crichlow, Ofoborh, Matyar

Attendance 1789 (248 away)

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