Bees win shoot out after stalemate

Nick Sandamas sees Barnet beat AFC Wimbledon on penalties in the EFL Trophy

View across the pitch at a football stadium — AFC Wimbledon’s Cherry Red Records Stadium in Plough Lane – (Credit – Nick Sandamas)

AFC Wimbledon 0 Barnet 0

(Barnet won 8-7 on spot kicks)

Barnet are on course to progress into the knockout stage of the EFL Trophy following a penalty shoot out win over ten-man AFC Wimbledon after the sides couldn’t be separated after 90 minutes on Tuesday.

Barnet took to the field with young Anthony Haralambous given his debut between the sticks and he was joined by fellow youngsters Bright Siaw and Arron Liwala, with the more experienced Nnamdi Ofoborh (captain for the night) alongside Tom Knowles, Zac Williams, Myles Kenlock and Romany Crichlow.

Jack Maskell, Isiah Noel-Williams and Damiola Ajayi were also given rare starts in a much changed starting XI from their last encounter against Fleetwood 17 days ago.

The first half was rather scrappy with neither side able to put their foot towards goal but it was the Dons who created a little more during a tense half, with Marcus Browne having a shot early on which fizzed wide of the post.

With both sides getting into good positions, neither keeper was seriously tested until just on the half time hooter when Haramlambous was called upon to deny Aron Sasu with a great diving save.

Then five minutes into the second half came the first opportunity on the Dons goal for the Bees when Knowles’s shot was brilliantly saved by Dons stopper Nathan Bishop.

Soon after, Haralambous was called upon again getting a slight touch on Callum Maycock’s shot to take the ball wide of goal.

Then in the space of two minutes the Bees came so close to breaking the deadlock. First, on 70 minutes a ball found Knowles bearing down on goal but, as he entered the area, Bishop stood tall to beat out his shot. Then, 60 seconds later, a cross from Ajayi picked out Jack Maskell in the six-yard box but the former Darlington player towering’s header bought out the best in the Dons’ number one, who spread his body to keep the scores level.

Then, with fifteen minutes to go till the end, Ofoborh was fouled by Alistair Smith who then seemed to stamp on his hand, prompting a fracas which resulted in the Dons’ number 12 receiving a straight red card.

Substitute Idris Kanu had a great chance to win it outright in stoppage time but his header from six-yards out from Knowles’s right sided cross saw a back pedalling Bishop tip the ball over the ball.

It was on to spot kicks to decide who would get the bonus point and, after it went to sudden death, Dons’ Riley Horan saw Haralambous save his kick. This left Knowles with the chance to win it but he could only sky his shot into the empty stand behind the goal.

Then Sam Goma failed, leaving Crichlow to do the honours for Barnet, which he duly did to send the 309 travelling fans back to North London home happy.

It’s back to league action this Saturday for second-placed, unbeaten Bees as they make the trip up the M4 to take on Steve Evans’s Bristol Rovers side, aiming to return to the summit of League Two.

Team: Haralambous, Liwala, Williams, Crichlow, Kenlock, Knowles, Ofoborh, Noel-Williams, Maskell, Siaw (Kanu 77) Ajayi (Senior 81)

Subs not used: Cox, Richard, Issott, Brissett-Levy, Rix

Attendance 1363 (309 away fans)

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