Barnet dominate from the start
In the opening fixture of the EFL Trophy, Barnet FC outclassed Arsenal U21s 5-1 at the Hive. The Bees took an early lead when Bright Siaw slipped the ball into the bottom left corner from the edge of the area in the 9th minute. A minute later, Tom Knowles almost set up a second, but his header missed the target.
The first half saw Barnet pressing hard. A free-kick from Zac Williams was headed by Jack Maskell, but the shot was saved by Gunners’ goalkeeper Kahri Ranson. Maskell doubled the score in the 25th minute after a long ball from Taye Ashby-Hammond found the striker, who fired past Ranson. Arsenal pulled one back in the 45+2 minute with an own goal from Knowles, but Barnet restored a two-goal cushion on the stroke of half-time when Siaw’s delivery was finished by Knowles.
Knowles’ hattrick lights up the Hive
Tom Knowles was the star of the evening, scoring a hattrick in 70 minutes. His first came in the 45+2 minute, the second in the 56th minute after a mistake at the back, and the third in the 69th minute when he cut inside from the left and slotted past Ranson. The striker’s performance earned him the man-of-the-match award.
Bright Siaw also contributed a goal in the 9th minute, while Jack Maskell added a second in the 25th minute. The Bees’ midfield partnership of Brandon Comley and Will Wright saw Comley start the match and be replaced by Oisin Gallagher at half-time. Patrick Matejko played further forward, and Myles Kenlock captained the side from the full-back position.
Arsenal’s struggles and a defensive display
Arsenal U21s were unable to find a rhythm. They had several chances from corners and a looping ball from Demaine Agustein, but Taye Ashby-Hammond and the defensive line kept the visitors at bay. The only goal for the Gunners came from an own goal by Knowles when the striker inadvertently turned a ball into his own net.
Barnet’s defence, anchored by Taye Ashby-Hammond in goal and a back line of Zac Williams, Craig Farquhar, Aaron Liwala and Myles Kenlock, held the young side to a single goal. The Bees’ attack was well-coordinated, with the wingers Tom Knowles and Bright Siaw creating chances and the midfield providing support.
Final whistle and aftermath
The match finished 5-1 in favour of Barnet. The Bees’ final line-up was Ashby-Hammond, Williams, Knowles, Maskell, Wright, Comley (Gallagher, 46’), Kenlock, Siaw, Farquhar, Liwala, Matejko. The attendance was 1,507, with 498 visitors in the stands.
Rohat Matyar came on in the final moments for the Bees, replacing Knowles, while Adam Senior replaced Liwala after the added time.
A strong start for Barnet
Barnet’s emphatic victory on matchday one of the EFL Trophy sets a positive tone for the season. Their attacking flair and defensive solidity were on full display, with Tom Knowles’ hattrick proving the difference between the two sides.
