Nick Sandamas sees Barnet’s youth team overcome Luton

Young players from Barnet and Luton in action at The Hive — Barnet’s youth team take on Luton in the FA Youth Cup (Credit – Nick Sandamas)

Barnet U18 1 Luton Town U18 1

AET (Barnet won 6-5 on pens)

A fantastic night in front of The Hive faithful saw Barnet’s youngsters progress into the second round of the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday. The Bees beat Luton in a penalty shoot out as the sides couldn’t be separated following 120 minutes of tense football.

The Hatters had more of the first half with Enoch Sampson having a great chance to put his side ahead on 15 minutes but keeper Anthony Haralambous got his whole body in the way to block the shot.

Kyrell Greaves thought he had given the Bees the lead with a low finish five minutes before half time but the goal was disallowed for offside (a tight decision).

Then, minutes later, Sam Hincapie-Alfonso smacked his effort against the bar as the half ended goalless.

A moment of inspiration on 64 minutes gave the Hatters the lead when Lloyd Asamoah-Junior produced a run to the byline and crossed; the ball eventually fell to Archie Shepherd to score in the top corner.

With the Hatters on the verge of going through, they had a great chance to put the game to bed when, with a minute of normal time remaining, Dawid Gawel was through on goal but a good save from Bees’ the keeper kept his side in it.

And it proved crucial as, with the game now in added-on time, the Bees burst forward, the ball came to Pablo Kalamaras waiting in the box to blast home, away from the despairing dive of keeper Charlie Booth.

With extra time failing to separate the teams, it was the luxury of spot kicks and, with the sides in sudden death, Hatters’ Excel Ed Okungbowa missed, leaving Ethan Goumal to convert and start the celebrations.

No news is bad news

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else. £84 annual supporters get a print copy by post and a digital copy of each month's before anyone else.