Our U21s returned to winning ways with a routine 3-1 victory over Coventry City in the Professional Development League on Tuesday afternoon.
Aiden Marsh maintained his hot streak in front of goal and Aaron Atkinson was also on target as the young Reds secured three comfortable points at Oakwell.
It was the visitors who made a brighter start as Aidan Dausch broke the offside trap with less than five minutes played, only to see his low shot expertly saved by the outstretched leg of Rogan Ravenhill.
Josh Benson, continuing his return to fitness following a lengthy absence, took aim with a long range free-kick that was gathered by Sky Blues’ stopper Daniel Rachel as the Reds looked to gain a foothold in the contest.
We eventually made the breakthrough shortly after when Barry Cotter found himself with time and space on the left flank before delivering a superb cross that was deftly flicked home by the head of Marsh.
Intricate play on the edge of the box from Conor Grant led to another opportunity for Marsh moments later, and the young forward jinked beyond a couple of challenges but couldn’t generate the requisite power to beat Rachel.
Our U21s continued to control possession and create chances, the next of which fell to Cotter who skipped past his man, but his fierce effort was blazed high and wide.
As the half drew to a close, we had another couple of openings – both of which fell to Robbie Cundy. Twice the towering defender was picked out by Benson, with his initial effort tipped wide by Rachel before his header from the resulting corner fizzed narrowly past the upright.
HALF-TIME: Barnsley 1-0 Coventry City
We made a lively start to the second period and signalled our intentions to attack from the off as Grant again showed quick feet to create a yard of space but fired his attempt over the bar.
Cotter then tried his luck from the edge of the box and was inches away from finding the far corner with a fine curling strike.
The Reds finally extended their lead on the hour mark when Benson, who was instrumental throughout in midfield, won possession back on halfway before playing a perfectly weighted pass into the path of Atkinson, who finished confidently into the bottom corner.
Searching for a way back into the encounter, the visitors had a glorious opportunity to reduce the arrears when Dausch burst into the area and teed up Trialist, who somehow spooned his effort over the bar from six-yards.
That would prove to be a decisive moment as the young Reds went straight up the other end and found a third when Marsh’s cross was turned into his own net by the unfortunate Kain Ryan, who sliced his clearance into the far corner.
It was no less than our U21s’ dominant performance deserved, and they continued to press forward in search of more as Theo Chapman – making his long-awaited return from injury – stung the palms of Rachel.
The visitors did find a late consolation through Trialist, who atoned for his earlier miss by placing a neat effort beyond Ravenhill in stoppage time.
But it couldn’t take the gloss off what was a fine display from Tom Harban’s side, who will go into next week’s match at home to Watford in high spirits.
FULL-TIME: Barnsley 3-1 Coventry City
REDS XI: Ravenhill (GK), Nejman, James, Cundy (Makiessi, 76), Hickingbottom (C), Cotter (Pickard, 62), Benson, Grant, Atkinson, Marsh, Trialist (Chapman, 64).
Not used: Kozluk, Nzondo.
CITY XI: Rachel (GK), Lusala (C), Perry, Gordon, Ryan, Betjemann, Siddall, Finney, Dausch, B Stretton, Ambursley.
Subs: Mantle, Bell, Trialist, M Stretton, McCallum.
