Barnet advance in EFL Trophy after dramatic shootout

Barnet secured a dramatic penalty shootout victory over AFC Wimbledon to advance in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday evening. The match finished 0-0 after 120 minutes before the Bees held their nerve to win the shootout 8-7.

Romoney Crichlow-Noble scored the winning penalty to send Barnet through. Manager Dean Brennan made eight changes to his starting lineup from the previous league match, handing opportunities to several squad players.

How the shootout unfolded

The shootout was a marathon affair, with both sides converting their first seven attempts. Zac Williams, J Maskell, Idris Kanu, Isiah Noel Williams, Damola Ajayi, Myles Kenlock and Nnamdi Ofoborh all scored for Barnet. Tom Knowles saw his effort saved, but AFC Wimbledon's Riley Horan also missed, keeping the scores level. Crichlow-Noble then stepped up to seal the win.

Dean Brennan praised his team's resilience after the match. "We showed great character to come back and win it in the end," the Barnet manager said.

Match details

The game itself was a tight affair. Barnet edged possession and created several chances, with Bright Siaw denied by the Wimbledon keeper just before half-time. AFC Wimbledon's Alistair Smith was sent off in the 77th minute for a stamp, but the hosts held firm to force penalties. The result extends Barnet's unbeaten run to six matches across all competitions.

This cup success follows a strong start to the league campaign, where the team's recent form shows four wins and a draw from their last five matches, a key reason they now sit second in the standings. The victory provides a morale boost as Barnet sit second in League Two, just one point behind leaders Salford City. The squad's depth, as seen in the eight changes made for this tie, is detailed on the official squad roster.