Bees are spot on for the semis
DEAN Brennan admitted Lady Luck was on Barnet’s side as they edged past Maidstone United in a nervy penalty shoot-out to reach the semi-finals of the FA Trophy.
First-half strikes from Finley Potter and David Moyo cancelled out Roarie Deacon’s early opener for Maidstone before Sol Wanjau-Smith’s penalty forced the shootout.
But Wanjau-Smith and Jack Barham both missed from the spot, leaving the National League promotion hopefuls to celebrate.
“Lady Luck was on our side, with penalties you need a bit of luck,” a relieved Brennan said.
“But the research was done by our goalkeeper coach (Kirk Rayment) we knew where they take their penalties.
“To be fair, they went exactly where they were meant to go and Laurie [Walker] could have saved another one.”
The visitors looked threatening early on but it was Maidstone who broke the deadlock.
Josh Shonibare played the ball to George Fowler who moved it inside the area to Deacon and he lashed a fine finish past Walker. Deacon injured himself in the process and eventually had to go off.
The Stones’ lead didn’t last long though. Ryan De
Haviland’s corner went straight to unmarked Potter who nodded the ball past Dan Barden.
Then on 37 minutes, Barnet went ahead. The visitors were getting joy from balls into the box and, from one of these, Potter drew a brilliant save from Barden only for Moyo to force the ball in from close range.
Maidstone went close to an equaliser on the stroke of half-time – Marshall crossing for Shonibare and he saw his header well saved by Walker.
The Stones started the second half strongly and within eight minutes of the restart, Wanjau-Smith was upended in the box and the former Hungerford front man dusted himself down to take the penalty and coolly found the net with a panenka.
A tense penalty shootout ensued but nerves were soon settled by the first four takers who all scored; Regan Booty and Dom Odusayna for Maidstone and Harry Pritchard and Nicke Kabamba for Barnet.
Unfortunately for Wanjau-Smith, his luck ran out as he smashed his kick against the bar leaving Ryan De Havilland to put the Bees in control.
Josh Shonibare kept Maidstone in it but after Idris Kanu scored for Barnet, the pressure was on former Barnet striker Barham, whose spot-kick was saved by Walker.
Stones boss George Elokobi said: “Penalties are a lottery, they can go either way.
“Our performance was full of grit, fight, energy and quality. Each and everyone of our players gave it their all today.”
STAR MAN: George Fowler (Maidstone) ATTENDANCE: 2,120 ENTERTAINMENT: ★★★★★ REFEREE: Aaron Jackson