BARNSLEY FOOTBALL CLUB

An excellent performance and two goals from new signing Tom Bradshaw gave the Reds a 2-2 draw with Premier League Hull City at Oakwell. 

Despite being the better side for large parts of the game and leading throughout most of the second half, a late equaliser denied Paul Heckingbottom's side what would have been a deserved victory in front of the Oakwell faithful. 

Alfie Mawson and Sam Winnall both came close to breaking the deadlock with early headers and were made to pay when Adama Diomande netted against the run of play.

Bradshaw levelled just past the half hour, guiding Adam Hammill’s cross into the far corner and Nick Townsend ensured the sides went in level at the break, getting down well to deny Peter Odemwingie.

Welsh International Bradshaw converted James Bree’s low cross nine minutes after the restart via the inside of the post and Sessi D’Almeida almost made it three with a powerful 25-yard effort.

Showing excellent passing and pressing throughout, the Reds were disappointed to concede four minutes from the end as Jarred Bowen fired home from the middle of the area, following a fortunate ricochet allowing the ball to fall to him.

 

After a low-key opening six minutes, the game finally sprung into life when Marley Watkins unleashed a low 25-yard effort that Dusan Kuciak had to tip around the post.

The Tigerhs defence initially cleared a Conor Hourihane corner, but Hammill floated the ball back in and Sam Winnall headed just over from close range.

The Reds kept the pressure on and fashioned more clear chances just before the 10-minute mark as Winnall saw his header from James Bree’s inviting delivery clawed away by Kuciak before Mawson nodded Hourihane’s cross just over.

The Tigers had their first chance on 12 minutes as Peter Odemwingie muscled through the Reds defence but was denied by a world class reaction save from Nick Townsend.

Against the run of play, Hull took the lead when Adama Diomande blasted through into the box and lifted the ball into the far corner.

Tom Bradshaw’s first chance of the match came midway through the half, turning cleverly in the area but scuffing his effort at Kuciak.

Just past the half hour, the Reds levelled when Hammill swung the ball onto the head of Bradshaw, who sent the ball back across Kuciak with expert precision.

Townsend showed his class again moments later, brilliantly smothering an Odemwingie effort after he escaped down the right while Josh Tymon and Greg Luer both blazed wide in the final stages of the half.

 

After a controlled opening to the second half, the Reds fans were on their feet after Bree raced onto Watkins’ delightful through ball and drilled a cross in to the middle for Bradshaw to net his second of the game. Hull almost levelled after a slip in the Reds rearguard allowed substitute Abel Hernandez in on goal, but Townsend reacted smartly to clear the danger with a low save.

Mohamed Diame fired wide of the near post from just outside the area as the Tigers stepped up their response for a leveller, however, the Reds came closest again as Watkins brought a strong save from Kuciak shortly after the hour.

Josh Scowen then danced inside four Hull defenders before firing the ball just over the crossbar and Lee did likewise, lashing over Watkins’ pass, showing that Barnsley were determined to look for more goals rather than settle for what they had.

Under pressure from the Reds defence, Odemwingie glanced wide of the mark before trialist Sessi D’Almeida drilled an effort inches wide of the post 15 minutes from time.

The Reds could not hold onto their lead though as half time Tigers substitute, Jarrod Bowen, arrowed an effort into the top corner four minutes from time to snatch a draw for the visitors.