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Dreaming of Jersey Mike’s Subs Trophy Glory
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It just rolls off the tongue…
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07/10/2026
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This article has been viewed 404 times.
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by Max Bygraves
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A 17 day wait for a game between September and October is just not ok. When you’re top of the league (well, 2nd now but we were when we last played) and there’s a feel good factor about the place, the last thing you need is an enforced break. Can 2 of the 4 internationals please feign injury, Ryan Giggs style, come mid November when we’ve got a fun away day to Walsall to be cracking on with?
I was disappointed when Wimbledon earned promotion the same year we did, denying us a decent away day in League 2 last year. Given they had the audacity to also stay up last season, when we drew them in this competition I was always doing this one. A couple of eventful visits to Kingstonian’s ground in our second league spell, like most, this was my first chance to visit Plough Lane. 88 out of the current 92. It’s inconsiderate of clubs to constantly change the tally on this, but anyway, this was an easy hit for this particular nerd.
Someone who won’t be named deciding to go to England at Wembley instead of this won’t be named but their card is marked. Subsequently, it ended up being a solo trek from North London, having coordinated work departure and childcare arrangements accordingly. Haydons Road the end destination. Always something a bit fascinating about a place in London you’ve never been or really heard of before. I was today years old when I found out where the Womble got its name.
You know Barnet are playing away in London if you spot a bald bloke running across a major terminus absolutely scrambling. As usual, I’d left what I deemed enough time to get from the far end of the Piccadilly line to St Pancras. I don’t know why I don’t learn my lesson. It’s the same thing without fail. A late panic as the time ticks by on the tube before one of those horrible half fast walk, half runs through a busy station with lots of people calmly going about their day. The unseasonably warm weather with a necessary jacket for an evening fixture not helping comfort matters once just about on the train, either.
I had only been to this area of London once before, for the aforementioned absentees stag do in 2016 where we went to some of the last knockings of Wimbledon greyhounds. A lot has changed since then. The area around the ground full of new development; it looks a bit like a mini version of Brentford’s new place. Doesn’t necessarily feel very footbally but I am not for a second knocking what they’ve set up here. Looking around the exterior once inside, it’s pretty much a match of the New Underhill plans. You’d take it all day long, back in your own location and where you belong. One day. Keep the faith.
After an eerily quiet walk around the outside past the extensive cycle storage unit linked to the ground which was something I’d not seen the extent of before, the away end was finally reached. Just enough time for a pre match pint - a top tier line up in my humble opinion with a choice between Stella Artois, San Miguel or Camden Pale. Very reasonable.
I’ve given you a lot of detail of everything up to kick off because this is the bit where I’m going to struggle.
In terms of first half action, there was a good tackle by the right back Liwala and that was about it. It was a mixed Barnet team but fair to say the lesser known names generally acquitted themselves well - but nothing really happened in the first 45.
I’ve mentioned previously about some people perhaps being purposely obnoxious and antagonistic from some elements of our away support. I had the pleasure(!) of being within close proximity of a group of blokes needlessly taking the piss out of one of the stewards before threatening to report another for being a fire risk by standing on the stairs. All so needless and purely causing problems for problems sake. Just enjoy the game and going with your mates. In quarter of a century of away games, this has never been the Barnet away end vibe!
309 Barnet filled the away end and there were general good spirits in the open bit behind the stand for those who managed to beat the worse than The Hive queues to get half time refreshments.
The second half definitely felt a little more lively. Barnet were on top and looked the more likely.
I’m lacking in much for most of this still so I’ll use this juncture to point out that I think the Nnamdi Ofoborh chant maybe needs a rethink. “We thank god he’s alive,” has to be the weirdest shoehorn of words that fit into a Barnet chant I’ve ever known. Come on.
Maskell should have scored and perhaps won it. A header that was well saved but also almost straight at the keeper from close range. Opportunity then opened up with just over ten minutes to go when the hosts were reduced to 10. Someone helpfully sent a clip from the tv to someone I was sitting near and it appeared to be a stamp. Pure stupidity.
Kanu and Senior were introduced from the bench. Experience over the many unknown youth inclusions as we looked to win the game. Idris very nearly did. His header in the last minute was tipped over, taking us to penalties.
Definitely a first for me, seeing us draw a game but then it going to penalties with no jeopardy of us being knocked out of a cup. Very strange. There’s something about penalties though and despite the relatively laid back feeling to the scenario, I actually think it’s impossible to watch your team in a shootout and not feel some nerves.
It was a random assortment and order of penalty takers but fair to say on both sides the initial line ups dispatched confidently and we had the fairly unusual scenario of it being 5-5 after the first 10.
A moment to remember on the first sudden death penalty for debut Barnet keeper Anthony Haralambous. The youngster went the right way and made a solid save. All that was needed now was Tom Knowles to score his and it was job done. Not to be - the Bees number 7 fired over the bar. Perhaps what looked the most likely scorer didn’t and we carried on.
It went to 7-7 before Wimbledon’s 8th penalty was fired over the bar. This time, surely? Romoney Critchlow who had had a decent game in a more central role made no mistake. A well-taken penalty beat the keeper and Barnet had an 8-7 shootout win and the quirk of taking 2 points from a game.
That should pretty much be enough to take us through. Leyton Orient come to The Hive in November to conclude the group. As always with this competition, it’s a bit nothingy now but if you can get through to the knock outs and have a sniff of Wembley, the feeling becomes a little different.
By the way, 7pm kick off was a bit of a rush beforehand but I’m a fan of having this written on the tube back and being back through the front door by just after 10:30pm from an away game.
Annoyingly, I’m away this weekend having booked something during the summer when you’re not in football season mode. Tranmere a bit too much to do in a day with the kids too, so another long wait now for Swindon in a fortnight. Ridiculous scheduling.
We’ll be running round Wembley…
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