Barnet 3-3 Brentford: Battle of the Bees heads for replay after six-goal thriller

The last remaining non-league side in this season’s FA Cup, Barnet earned themselves a replay with Championship side Brentford following a pulsating FA Cup tie.

This was a match that really had everything, including Jubilee Line tube drivers peeping their whistles going past the Hive.

Ollie Watkins put the visiting Bees in front at half time but the tie sparked into life following two goals in three minutes from Shaquile Coulthirst for home Bees

A penalty from Neal Maupay and a goal from Sergi Canos had Brentford back in front but Dan Sparkes ensured this tie will be decided at Griffin Park

This 4th round tie was the first meeting between the two sides since 2009. A decade ago, it was a League 2 fixture but now three divisions separate them. In fact, you have to go back to 1925 for the last Battle of the Bees in the FA Cup.

In front of a record crowd at the Hive, it was Brentford who started the brighter and Yoann Barbet hit the post from a corner.

A superb effort from Brentford winger Moses Odubajo nearly broke the deadlock early on. His 25 yard shot curled past Barnet goalkeeper Will Huffer but hit the post.

That effort seemed to kick the home side into action. They won a corner which Dan Sweeney rose highest at but it was saved.

Brentford were to take the lead five minutes before half time when Watkins was given far too much space outside the penalty area and he unleashed a fine shot past Will Huffer.

Having fallen behind five minutes before the break, Barnet equalised five minutes after it. Mason-Clark once again caused the Brentford defence problems and he found Coulthirst who scored from six yards out.

Coulthirst then remarkably but Barnet in front three minutes later. He fired past Daniels from close range to spark wild celebrations on the Bees Terrace.

The Championship side were given a route back into the game on the hour mark when Watkins was fouled in the penalty area. Maupay, whose penalty sent Brentford through in the third round, converted this one too.

The equaliser did not deter Barnet and Coulthirst missed a good chance to complete his hat trick when he headed straight at Daniels.

It looked like the Championship side had won the tie when Canos finished well after good work from sub Henrik Dalsgaard.

Once more, Barnet responded. Dan Sparkes, with virtually his first touch, whipped in a superb free kick that crashed off the crossbar and went in.

Brentford pushed for a winner, Said Benrahma fired wide and Watkins hit the post but the non-league side deserved a replay and Swansea will have to wait another week to find out their opponents in the fifth round.

Featured photo- Rob Sutton