Barnet 3-3 Brent
Middlesex Schools’ FA, Watkin Cup, 26th November 2016
Brent’s Under-12 boys staged a superb comeback to claim a point away to Watkin Cup leaders Barnet.
Looking to avenge their defeat at home to Barnet two weeks ago, Brent went on the attack straight from the kick off. First Kofi Appiah shot just over the bar, then Theo Alexandrou (pictured, above) hit a superb snap shot that crashed against the bar as Brent piled on the pressure.
Alexandrou went close again, sprinting beyond the home defence to fire just past the far post. However, Barnet’s first counter-attack saw them breach the Brent defence and take the lead against the run of play.
Brent kept up the pressure and their best passing move of the game started when Brent captain Lilango Kweme passed to Rafi Amblin in midfield. Amblin found Ayyuba Jambang and the midfielder made a clever pass to Alexandrou who drove the ball across the goal but Jhamar McDonald’s clever flick went agonisingly inches past the post. McDonald’s pace and dribbling down the left caused havoc but Brent could not find a way to score. Brent were punished for not making their attacks count when, on the stroke of half time, Barnet broke again and were awarded a penalty. Keeper Naythan Bryson had no chance to save the spot kick and the half ended 2-0.
At half time, Brent rang the changes. Albi Alexander was brought on to boost the midfield and Marcel Baumard replaced the injured Stanley Willis who had been defending well. Alexander made an instant impact. First he unselfishly passed to Alexandrou who though he was heavily marked. He skilfully dribbled past two defenders before coolly passing the goal in to the corner of the net to score a superb solo effort and bring Brent back into the game.
Then, McDonald sent in a superb cross and Alexandrou’s powerful volley flew just wide. It looked as though the comeback was on but Barnet showed why they are top of the league, counter-attacking again to score from an acute angle and restore their two goal lead.
Brent’s response to trailing 3-1 was to raise their game. Amblin released Alexandrou who hit a fierce shot which was parried by the goalkeeper, although Alexander reacted quickly and smashed the ball into the net to reduce the arrears.
Barnet attacked again but Baumard, Kweme and Rishan Herath fought bravely at the back to keep them out. Brent then took control of the play and Leonardo Zibetti was brought on to bring fresh legs into the midfield.
With five minutes remaining, Alexander broke down the left and made an inch-perfect pass to Alexandrou who drove from the half way line, out-sprinting the Barnet defence before calmly blasting the ball into the net and equalise for his team. Brent then pressed for the winner and it nearly came when the ball broke to Jambang in the box but his audacious shot went wide. However, Barnet nearly claimed a winner of their own with another incisive counter-attack, although they were denied a fourth goal by a tremendous goaline clearance by Herath.
Brent coach Dean Toddington commented: “The players showed great spirit to comeback from two goals down. They never gave up and got their reward.”
Brent: Albi Alexander, Marcel Baumard, Stanley Willis, Leonardo Zibetti, Ayyuba Jambang, Theo Alexandrou (QPCS), Lilango Kweme (capt), Kofi Appiah (Capital City), Jhamar McDonald (JFS), Rishan Herath, Naythan Bryson, Rafi Amblin, (Claremont).
