Another excellent workout and victory for the Reds, which saw further three goals added to an already impressive pre-season goal tally.
A first half double from Sam Winnall was added to by second half substitute Shaun Tuton late on in the match after Dan Holman had pulled one back for the hosts.
Superb football was on display throughout from a Reds side that fielded many of Paul Heckingbottom’s new signings - in front of a number of travelling Barnsley fans – and without the heroics of Jack Rose in the Cheltenham goal, the score-line could have seen more than three under the away side’s name.
First Half
In a half the Reds dominated, they were rewarded with two goals thanks to last season’s top scorer Sam Winnall. The Reds striker pounced twice in The Robins penalty area to give a 2-0 half time lead.
The half began with Cheltenham attempting to stop the marauding Hammill by bringing him down. That was the reciprocated on Scowen, as he was chopped down on more than one occasion as well.
Reds number one Adam Davies was called into action a couple of times as he turned over two efforts, first from Asa Hall with at close range, then a 20 yard strike was tipped over following an effort from James Rowe.
The first goal came in the latter stages of the first half, when a corner from Hourihane was punched clear, only for the ever alert Josh Scowen to fire the ball back into the area and find Winnall, where the Reds number nine adjusted his body perfectly to send the ball into the Cheltenham net.
Shortly after the Reds doubled their lead, and it was that man Winnall again! This time it was Marley Watkins who was the provider, as he ran through the midfield – managing to jump over three attempted tackles – before playing in Adam Hammill. Hammill’s shot was saved and the ball fell back to Watkins, where he picked out Winnall in the box, and again he slotted it home.
Half Time: Cheltenham 0-2 Reds
The second half began with Marley Watkins being brought down in the Cheltenham area, but the referee waved away the protests for a penalty. Then after, the possession and chances flowed for a Barnsley side that had an array of attacking talent on display.
Hammill continued to torment the right back and produced a moment of sheer magic, leaving the home defence at a stand-still as he twisted and turned, before Rose managed to tip his goal-bound effort just wide.
The next big chance again came for the Reds, as a quick break set Hourihane away on the left but his pinpoint cross was cut out by the toes of James Jennings as he turned the ball out for a corner.
Cheltenham did manage to pull one back with a rare attack, via a double deflection. The first one allowed goalscorer Dan Holman to control the ball, before his shot then deflected off the boot of Lewin Nyatanga and in to the net.
There was still time for a response though and it was the goal of the game. Callum Evans - another second half substitute – played a delightful chip over the top, finding Tuton, who controlled superbly and fired a powerful left foot effort into the far corner.
An excellent hard-working performance against a physical side saw Barnsley return to South Yorkshire with their fourth win of pre-season.
Reds: Davies (GK), Bree, Roberts, Mawson, White, Watkins, Hourihane (c), Scowen, Hammill, Bradshaw, Winnall.
Subs: Townsend, Yiadom, Nyatanga, Cowgill, Payne, Moncur, Tuton, Jackson, Evans
Cheltenham Town: Rose (GK), Barthram, Jennings, Parslow (c), Pell, Wright, Hall, Cranston, Rowe, O'Shaughnessy, Holman.
Subs: Storer, Waters, Morgan-Smith, Lymn, Bower, Lovett
