Yeah it is a shame. I've learnt a few things if there is a next time.
Light sand on the veneer, make sure the glue comes off first.
Funny thing is it changes colour at different angles. So from one direction the colour difference isn't noticeable, and looking from below it has this hologram effect where the flame pattern changes as I move my head around.
I'm guessing the two halves of the veneer were not from the same piece so it all ended up looking different.