‘That wasn't a mistake… that was a donation' – Watch Barnet's first game back in EFL go horribly wrong
Dean Brennan's side hosted the Cod Army at the Hive in their first League Two match since being relegated to non-league seven years ago.
3
Owen Evans was tackled by Fleetwood forward Will Davies
Credit: Sky Sports
3
Evans was caught dawdling on the ball outside his area
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
3
Will Davies rolled the ball into an empty net
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
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Barnet fans have gone into this season with much optimism, with some pundits even tipping the Londoners to challenge for promotion again.
But the Bees were knocked out of the League Cup by Newport in the preliminary round in mid-week, and were again sent crashing back down to earth by Fleetwood this afternoon.
On 22 minutes, Barnet stopper Evans dawdled with the ball to the right of his penalty area.
As he looked to get the ball out of his feet, the 28-year-old showed too much of it to Will Davies.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
Evans attempted to atone for his error by skipping around Davies, only to be tackled by the Fleetwood forward.
Davies could hardly believe his luck as he rolled the ball into the empty net.
Commentating for Sky Sports, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk called Evans' mistake a "calamity".
While a fan wrote on X: "That wasn't a mistake… that was a donation."
Most read in EFL
BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK
Things went from bad to worse for Barnet after the break, when Elliot Bonds fired beyond Evans on 50 minutes.
Following his side's 2-0 defeat, Bees boss Brennan pulled no punches when discussing Evans' display.
EFL club launch new badge like 'lion with lollipop and first aid box'
The Irishman, 45, told the
"He missed all of pre-season with a lot of messing in the summer with his contract, with joining us.
"So when you miss pre-season and you are rusty you're going to do stupid things like that.
"At the end of the day he's put that performance in, not me. Their goalkeeper made saves when he had to."
Evans played 18 matches while on loan at Barnet from Cheltenham during the second half of last season.
The former
Brennan said at the time: "Owen needs no introduction to the football club.
"He impressed last year in his loan, and it's been a long summer trying to get him to sign.
"His family situation changed when he had a daughter on the last day of the season, so eventually we worked something out for him to commit long-term to the football club."
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‘That wasn't a mistake… that was a donation' – Watch Barnet's first game back in EFL go horribly wrong
BARNET goalkeeper Owen Evans endured a moment to forget as he gifted Fleetwood the opening goal on the Bees' return to the EFL. Dean Brennan's side hosted the Cod Army at the Hive in their first League Two match since being relegated to non-league seven years ago. 3 Owen Evans was tackled by Fleetwood forward Will Davies Credit: Sky Sports 3 Evans was caught dawdling on the ball outside his area Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 3 Will Davies rolled the ball into an empty net Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Play Dream Team now! Play The Sun Dream Team ahead of the 2025/26 season Free to play Over £100,000 in total prize money Play in Mini Leagues against your mates Submit a team for Gameweek 1 to enter £5,000 prize draw Barnet fans have gone into this season with much optimism, with some pundits even tipping the Londoners to challenge for promotion again. But the Bees were knocked out of the League Cup by Newport in the preliminary round in mid-week, and were again sent crashing back down to earth by Fleetwood this afternoon. On 22 minutes, Barnet stopper Evans dawdled with the ball to the right of his penalty area. As he looked to get the ball out of his feet, the 28-year-old showed too much of it to Will Davies. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Evans attempted to atone for his error by skipping around Davies, only to be tackled by the Fleetwood forward. Davies could hardly believe his luck as he rolled the ball into the empty net. Commentating for Sky Sports, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk called Evans' mistake a "calamity". While a fan wrote on X: "That wasn't a mistake… that was a donation." Most read in EFL BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Things went from bad to worse for Barnet after the break, when Elliot Bonds fired beyond Evans on 50 minutes. Following his side's 2-0 defeat, Bees boss Brennan pulled no punches when discussing Evans' display. EFL club launch new badge like 'lion with lollipop and first aid box' The Irishman, 45, told the "He missed all of pre-season with a lot of messing in the summer with his contract, with joining us. "So when you miss pre-season and you are rusty you're going to do stupid things like that. "At the end of the day he's put that performance in, not me. Their goalkeeper made saves when he had to." Evans played 18 matches while on loan at Barnet from Cheltenham during the second half of last season. The former Brennan said at the time: "Owen needs no introduction to the football club. "He impressed last year in his loan, and it's been a long summer trying to get him to sign. "His family situation changed when he had a daughter on the last day of the season, so eventually we worked something out for him to commit long-term to the football club."
