United 1
(Evans 56′)
Barnet 2
(Smith 3′, 58′)
United’s FA Trophy hopes were dashed on Saturday, as Barnet emerged as 2-1 winners at Plainmoor.
Harry Smith’s early goal gave the visitors an early lead, before Shaun Donnellan levelled the scores early in the second period. A swift response from the visiting side saw Smith score again though, and that was ultimately enough to see his side through.
United Manager Gary Johnson named two changes to the side that slipped to a narrow 2-1 defeat to league leaders Notts County at Plainmoor last time out, with Brett McGavin returned to the starting XI in place of Ryan Hanson, whilst Lewis Collins made his first start for The Gulls at the expense of Tope Fadahunsi.
Things got off to the worst possible start for the men in yellow.
With the game barely three minutes old, Donnellan was robbed of possession after receiving the ball via Mark Halsted’s overarm throw, and with Ryan De Havilland sending a deep cross to the back post, Smith was well-placed to head the ball into the back of the net.
Only the woodwork prevented more goals during an action-packed first ten minutes.
Looking for a quick response to falling behind, Dillon De Silva provided just the run and cross that his side craved in the fourth minute, and with his right-wing delivery sent perfectly towards Aaron Jarvis, Torquay’s leading scorer could only watch in anguish as his looping header rattled the crossbar.
Unlucky, but at the other just two minutes later, Johnson’s men were left counting their blessings, as the same part of the goal frame prevented them falling two behind, as a high ball into a packed goalmouth picked out Sam Woods, who also saw his header strike the ‘bar.
With 8 minutes on the clock, Jarvis turned provider down the left side of the box by sending in a low cross towards the near-post that Tom Lapslie did well to control, but with the angle against him, United’s midfield terrier couldn’t quite steer the ball home.
In what was proving to be a real end-to-end cup tie, Barnet dangerman Nicke Kabamba strode dangerously into Torquay territory, before shaking off the attentions of Ben Wyatt and forcing Halstead to parry his low drive round his left upright.
Things settled down a bit thereafter, with a number of stoppages disrupting the flow of the game.
On the half hour, another Lapslie foray into the box, this time from a central position, saw the crowd favourite dart past two defenders before sending his shot from ten yards into the palms of Laurie Walker, with the Barnet goalkeeper’s cause aided by a timely deflection.
Four minutes short of the break, Jarvis came within a whisker of levelling the scores, as his diagonal charge into the box ended with a firm drive that narrowly missed the far post.
Barnet duly responded as Harry Pritchard saw his 20-yarder deflected wide of goal in the dying stages of the first period, before The Gulls went perilously close to find parity seconds before the half-time whistle.
Seizing upon a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area, Fadahunsi – an early replacement for the injured Collins – took aim before sending in a low drive that beat Walker – but not the post.
One down at the change of ends.
Six minutes after the change of ends, the visitors missed a golden chance to extend their advantage.
With Dale Gorman’s probing ball to the back stick taking United’s backline out of the equation, the onrushing Sam Beard had the goal at his mercy, but let Torquay off the hook, as the Barnet man blazed his shot high and wide of the target.
They were made to pay moments later.
Awarded a free-kick on the left of the area, Evans’ ball into the box got past everybody in the box, and he was delighted to see it nestle into the back of the net for his first goal for the Club.
Sadly though, parity only last two minutes.
A cross from the left saw the sizeable frame of Smith make light work of the cross, with his glancing header beating Halstead at his near post.
Although those in yellow were seeing plenty of the ball, they were unable to convert that possession into clear-cut chances, with the next opening falling the way of Barnet danger man Kabamba, whose drilled effort from the angle went across the face of goal, with Nico Lawrence’s deflection taking it behind.
With nine minutes left, hesitancy on the edge of the D ended with De Silva breaking into the box before firing wide, as United upped the ante in a bid to keep their Trophy hopes alive.
Johnson’s men pushed and pushed in the final stages, however despite their efforts, they couldn’t quite find a second equaliser, as Barnet edged through to the last-eight stage.
Hopes of a Wembley visit may now be over for another year, however when the two sides meet at the same venue in seven day’s time, there will still plenty at stake for both sides.
United: 1. Mark Halstead, 4. Tom Lapslie, 9. Aaron Jarvis, 11. Kieron Evans, 14. Brett McGavin (6. Ross Marshall, 82′), 15. Ben Wyatt (2. Dylan Crowe, 68′), 16. Shaun Donnellan, 19. Nico Lawrence, 21. Dean Moxey (c), 27. Dillon De Silva, 31. Lewis Collins (10. Tope Fadahunsi, 28′).
SUBS NOT USED: 7. Ryan Hanson, 12. Jacob Mensah, 22. Rhys Lovett.
Yellow Cards: De Silva 6′, Moxey 38′, McGavin 58′
Barnet: 1. Laurie Walker, 6. Jerome Okimo, 8. Dale Gorman(c), 9. Nicke Kabamba, 11. Idris Kanu, 14. Harry Pritchard, 23. Sam Beard, 27. Moussa Diarra, 28. Sam Woods (44. Michael Phillips, HT), 30. Harry Smith (5. Marvin Armstrong, 90+2′), 33. Ryan De Havilland.
SUBS NOT USED: 7. Rob Hall, 16. Kian Flanagan, 20. David Moyo, 31. Aymen Azaze.
Yellow Cards: Woods 10′, Gorman 45′, Kabamba 75′, Diarra 76′, Kanu 87′
Attendance: 1,459 ( 72away)