Halifax 2 Reds 0
The Reds enjoyed their first pre-season run-out against Conference Premier side Halifax Town at The Shay.
Many of the youngsters all got game-time, with first-year pros George Smith and Nana Boakye-Yiadom amongst the Academy graduates which also included, Rose, Noble-Lazarus, Abbott, Digby, Cowgill and Bree.
Both sides went close early on as the tempo was steady to say the least. Smith twisted and turned before curling just over on 10 minutes and Noble-Lazarus went close at the other end with a volley that Glennon saved well at his near post.
Luke Steele made a decent save from Marshall's effort that zipped off the ground from 20 yards.
It should have been an opener for Danny Rose and Barnsley on 20 minutes after the young striker did all the hard work of rounding off the 'keeper but saw his effort cleared off the line.
Again Rose had a glorious chance to score just a minute later, but couldn't sort out his feet to latch onto Will Hoskins' cross.
The hosts opened the scoring on 41 minutes through Matty Pearson after the Reds defence failed to clear inside the area. Pearson bundled home past Steele from six yards.
Halifax got in again with some brilliant route one play. Glennon cleared his goal kick straight down the throat of Barnsley's defence, and Boden outmuscled McKnight before powering into the bottom corner from 10 yards.
Second Half
Seven changes were made by Danny Wilson at half time with first-year pro Smith and first-year scholar Bree getting a run out.
Midway through the second half saw McManus send a smart dipping effort just over the bar from 25 yards.
A good old goal-outh scramble ensued on 75 minutes after a corner dropped in the area for Bree, his initial effort was saved and Nyatanga and Nana had stabs at a shot but Halifax cleared the danger.
Dominic McHale came on with 10 to play and showed some good touches but Halifax were seeing out the match well.
Halifax: Glennon, Bolton, McManus, Ainge, Roberts, Marshall, Smith, Pearson, Maynard, Boden, Dyer, Wilson.
Subs: Senior, Williams, Roberts, Marie, Schofield.
Reds: Steele (Davies 46), Cowgill (M'voto 46), Cranie (McHale), Kennedy (Smith 46), McKnight (Nyatanga 46), Abbott, Hourihane (Boakye-Yiadom 70), Digby (Jennings 46), Rose (O'Grady 46), Noble-Lazarus (Bree 46), Hoskins (McKnight 75).
Subs: Oates, Maris.
Referee: Geoff Eltringham
Attendance: 1257 (690 Reds)
