Reds 2 (Mellis 5, O’Grady 57)
Wolves 2 (Ismail 3, Batth 20)
Barnsley stepped up their pre-season preparation against a Wolves side favourites for promotion from League One – playing out a 2-2 draw at Oakwell.
Jacob Mellis and Chris O’Grady scored in either half for the Reds with both goals finishing off great moves by Flitcroft’s men.
Jake Cassidy crossed for Ismail to hammer home from close range as Wolves took the lead on three minutes but the Reds themselves hit the net on five minutes. A good move down the left saw O’Grady set up Mellis who tucked into the corner from 12 yards.
There were few chances but goals weren’t drying up. Sam Ricketts whipped in a nice free-kick that Danny Batth got the slightest of touches on with his head for 2-1 in 20 minutes.
Wolves’ height in the box was causing problems and Cassidy was ready for celebrating as his 28-minute header dipped towards the corner but it rebounded off the post and Steele cleared with his feet.
The Reds were playing some neat football and a good move saw Dagnall pick the ball up from O’Grady before hammering a left-footer that stung the palms of Hennessey.
O’Grady himself then had a shot well saved by Wolves’ number one from barely 10 yards after another neat move down the right as half time neared.
Second half
The Reds waited 10 minutes into the second half until their first change. O’Brien, Etuhu and Nyatanga replaced Dawson, McNulty and Kennedy – the latter of which picked up a knock.
Another shot, another goal. Chris O’Grady finished off a terrific move that started down the right with Mellis and O’Brien playing their part on the wing on 57 minutes. O’Grady had his back to goal but turned and tucked home.
Dale Jennings came on for Jacob Mellis with 28 minutes to play. Chances were still few and far between but Steele did well to handle a Doumbia free-kick that sailed through the wall.
Jennings fizzed an effort wide from distance after some neat trickery on the left, and he then turned provider as his cross was headed wide by trialist Lopez on 78 minutes.
Reds: Steele, Wiseman (Cywka 72), Cranie, McNulty (Nyatanga 55), Kennedy (Etuhu 55), Golbourne, Dawson (O’Brien 55), Perkins (Digby 63), Mellis (Jennings 62), Dagnall (Lopez 75), O’Grady (Scotland 75).
Subs not used: Dibble.
