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Barnet v Halesowen Town

Fixture Type: The FA Trophy
Kick off: 15:00, Saturday, 29 Feb 2020
Attendance: 1483

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Date: Sat 29 Feb 2020

By David Simpson

Pride of Place - Halesowen Town FC

FA Trophy - Match Highlights

Halesowen Town FC - Media Team

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Southern League Division One Central leader Halesowen Town, are in the hat for the semi-final draw on Monday after another unbelievable performance to beat National League side Barnet 2-1 at The Hive after extra-time.

In front of a crowd of 1,483, with 622 supporting the Yeltz, the sides went into the break on level terms in tricky conditions. The second half saw the Bees dominate possession and their mounting pressure finally told after 65 minutes when Josh Walker bundled the ball home from Simeon Akinola's cross.

The Yeltz looked to find an equaliser but despite plenty of endeavours, they couldn't create a clear-cut opening against a strong home defence. That was until 5 minutes of normal time remaining when sub-Luke Yates bundled the ball past Scott Loach to bring the scores level. The team three levels below their hosts almost won it near the end when first Simeon Cobourne went close and Yates looked to have been brought down in the box, but after consultation with his assistant, the referee awarded a free-kick instead which came to nothing.

So, it was to extra-time, and surely now Barnet`s full-time training would be key.

They did dominate the first period of extra-time but couldn't breakdown a resolute visiting side, after Yeltz `keeper Brendon Bunn had made a great save to deny sub-Medy Elito, the visitors took the lead in the 109th minute when Cobourne drifted in unmarked and tapped home from close range after an initial header from a corner had cannoned off the crossbar.

Halesowen managed to survive the rest of the period of extra-time and the celebrations could begin as their unbelievable journey continues.