Dean Selvey’s under 23 side finished runners-up in the Central League Cup Final at The Hive last night after late pressure from Bristol City saw the visitors score two goals to seal the win. 

The Young Bees were the much better side in the opening 45 minutes, taking the lead 8 minutes before the break after Ephron Mason-Clark rose highest to head home a Loic Hernandez cross.

However, 5 minutes later, a foul by Darnell Smith on Diego De Girolamo on the edge of the box gave the visitors a chance to go into half time level. De Girolamo stepped up to take the penalty but it was excellently saved by Kai McKenzie-Lyle low to his left hand side.

The second half was dominated by Bristol City, but the Barnet back four and McKenzie-Lyle stood firm. The Guyana international was particularly busy, just after the hour mark he produced a spectacular save after Lloyd Kelly fired at goal from 25 yards.

In the 76th minute the ball fell to Harvey Smith six yards in-front of goal following some pinball in the Barnet area, yet McKenzie-Lyle was there again pulling off a one handed save.

Bristol City pulled a goal back in the 85th minute when George Dowling volleyed home from close range. The Robins completed the comeback two minutes later when George Nurse drove into the box and lashed home, beating McKenzie-Lyle at his near post.

Following the game, Dean Selvey said: “For them to grab the winner in the 90th minute was really disappointing for the boys. I can’t ask any more of them, we had players going down with cramp, we’ve got players coming back from injury and they gave it their all tonight but unfortunately we just weren’t good enough.”

Dean’s full post-match interview is below.