Gary Caldwell credits Barnet after Exeter edge through in FA Cup thriller

Posted Sunday, November 03, 2024 by PA

Exeter manager Gary Caldwell felt all the credit belonged to Barnet after the National League side gave his team an almighty scare in the first round of the FA Cup at St James Park.

After leading 1-0, Exeter found themselves 2-1 and then 3-2 down going into the closing stages of the game, but a Josh Magennis hat-trick and added-time goals from Jay Bird and Kamari Doyle secured a pulsating 5-3 victory.

“It was a fantastic game for the neutral, a proper Cup tie, but I think all the credit needs to go to Barnet, they were a credit to the National League and showed how good the teams are at that level,” Caldwell said.

“We rode our luck at times and it became a bit of a gunfight and I think, in the end, we had more ammunition than they did and we managed to win in the end, but they were excellent in everything they did and the way they played the game was excellent.”

Ryan Glover, Zak Brunt and Nicke Kabamba were on target for the Bees, and their manager Dean Brennan could not have been prouder of his side.

“It was a dramatic game, but it was a horrible draw for us, obviously our priority is the National League and trying to get promoted out of that,” Brennan said.

“I thought at 2-1 they changed the game and brought some pace on and they get a penalty that shouldn’t be a penalty. It’s a horrendous decision by the referee and I thought that changed the game.

“We showed character and I just feel sorry for the boys. We didn’t have any attacking options off the bench and I am looking at them making changes – we just don’t have it and we needed it.”