Arsenal 2-2 Brentford aet
(Brentford won 5-4 on penalties)
FA Youth Cup Third Round Proper
Thursday, December 15, 2005 
Underhill, Barnet FC

Goalkeeper Sam Moore was Brentford’s hero as The Bees produced an FA Youth Cup upset by beating Arsenal on penalties.

Moore saved two spot-kicks in the 5-4 shoot out victory after the match had finished 2-2 at the end of extra-time.

Brentford youth team manager Scott Fitzgerald said: "I’m absolutely delighted, it’s a massive result for our club.

"We had a game plan, stuck to it and I thought we were the better side."

This third round tie was played at Barnet’s Underhill ground and Brentford took the lead in the 29th minute through Darius Charles’ close-range volley. The Gunners’ performance improved in the second half and Alexandre Song equalised after 78 minutes to force the game into extra-time.

Anthony Stokes put Arsenal ahead but The Bees fought back and Ryan Watts’ goal with 12 minutes remaining took the tie into a penalty shoot-out.

Arsenal’s Fabrice Muamba shot over the bar and Moore saved efforts from Mitchell Murphy and substitute Henri Lansbury to put Brentford in the fourth round, where they will play either Waltham Forest or West Bromwich Albion.

Arsenal youth team manager Steve Bould said: "Brentford were far more driven and showed more commitment than us, that was the disappointing thing."

One to watch: Fabrice Muamba (Arsenal)

The Arsenal youth team captain, who has represented England at U18s level, impressed in central defence. Muamba used his pace and strength to stop numerous Brentford attacks and looks to have a bright future in the game.

However, the night ended badly for the 17-year-old as he missed one of the Arsenal spot-kicks in the shoot out.

Arsenal: Mannone, Rodgers, Murphy, Song, Muamba, Steer (Lansbury 46), Simpson, Efrem (Imudia 46), Bendtner, Stokes, Tracy.

Unused subs: Butcher, Murphy, Uwezu.

Brentford: Moore, Kyriacou, Maberley, Carder-Andrews, Osborne, Charles, Dark, Montague, Ide (Kelly 89), Dimitrov, Watts.

Unused subs: Howell, Allen, Khanye, Jerum.

Referee: John Farries (Oxfordshire)

Attendance: 515

In last night’s other FA Youth Cup third round games, a brace from Sean Evans gave Manchester United a 2-0 victory against Birmingham City at St Andrew’s and The Reds will now be away at Sunderland.

Crystal Palace secured a 3-2 extra-time victory against Colchester United to set up a fourth round clash with Tranmere Rovers. The Eagles took the lead through Ryan Hall but the Essex side, who also had a Thomas Webb penalty saved by David Wilkinson, levelled the score with a goal from Anthony Wordsworth.

David Wareham put the U’s ahead but Victor Moses equalised before Lewis Grabban scored the winner. Derby County and Sheffield United both progressed with 3-1 and 4-0 wins against Cogenhoe and Arnold respectively.

The Rams will play the winners of the Blackburn v Tottenham match while The Blades are at home against Wigan Athletic.