Barnet bow out of Carabao Cup

Nick Sandamas sees the Bees exit the cup in the first round

Board outside Cambridge United's Abbey Stadium advertising the Carabao Cup match against Barnet — The Abbey Stadium in Cambridge – (Credit – Nick Sandamas)

Barnet bowed out of the Carabao Cup at the first time of asking following a narrow defeat against League One Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium yesterday.

Despite the Bees taking the lead through Kabongo Tshimanga early in the second half, the U’s responded quickly with two quickfire goals to secure a place in round two.

The new look Bees had four of their new signings on the pitch for the start: keeper Matt Cox joined by Zac Williams, Charlie Lakin and Oisin Gallagher alongside familiar faces from last season.

Also it was great to see left back Myles Kenlock back on the pitch and in from the start missing the whole of last season through an ACL injury.

Tom Knowles, Will Wright, Taye Ashby-Hammond and Craig Farquhar were the other new signings who started on the bench alongside two academy products.

It was the Bees who threatened a couple of times in the opening quarter.

The first chance fell to Gallagher whose shot took a deflection to take it past the post, having being presented with the ball by Dom Ball.

Then a free kick on the left by Lakin found Nik Taveres at the far post but the centre half could only place the ball over the bar.

The U’s first clear sight on goal arrived on the half hour mark when a lovely passing move found Ben Knight who played the ball across the box to Louis Appere but his shot went straight into the arms of Cox.

Lakin then had an even better opportunity to give his side the lead but Jake Eastwood in the U’s goal stuck out a leg to get the ball away from danger and ensure the score was deadlocked at half time.

However, just three minutes into the second half, the Bees drew first blood.

Defenders Callum Perry and Kell Watts made outstanding blocks on the goal line from shots from Gallagher and Adam Senior but were powerless to prevent Tshimanga shooting home to give the Bees the lead.

The lead had lasted a mere four minutes before a ball was played across the edge of the area by Ball to Glenn McConnell to find Knight whose low shot took a deflection to bring the sides level.

Another five minutes elasped before the turnaround was complete with the U’s celebrating for a second time.

Mc Connell had a shot which was blocked, it came to Ball and his ball from the byline was played back across goal to Issac Heath whose scuffed effort found the back of the net for a debut goal.

Knowles came on soon after to add a bit of extra bite in midfield for left back Kenlock as the formation changed.

It was the U’s, though, who made a foray forward with 20 minutes left searching for a third goal, when sub Sully Kaikai split the Bees defence to find fellow sub Perry Mpanzu-Ruddock but his shot was beaten away by Cox.

A Bees’ free kick 25 yards from goal on 79 minutes did present them with a sight of getting on level terms and making it an interesting last 10 minutes but Knowles saw Eastwood get down to his right to turn the ball behind for a corner.

The Bees did have the ball in the back of the net in stoppage time (and a chance to take it to spot kicks) but it was disallowed for a foul and thus the end of their League Cup for another season.

The league season takes centre stage next Saturday with the Bees up against last season’s play-off finalists Salford City on matchday one.

Dean Brennan’s new look side will hope to get off to a flyer against an Ammies side who won both encounters last season.

Team: Cox, Collinge, Senior, Tavares (Smith 83), Kenlock ( Knowles 66), Williams, Lakin, Gallagher, Ofoborh (Wright 83) Tshimanga, Kanu

Subs not used: Ashby-Hammond, Siaw, Farquhar, Liwala-Lukizalamu

Attendance 3521 (505 away fans)

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