Reds U18s 2 Sheff Wed U18s 2
Barnsley’s Under 18s fought back from two goals down to claim a point against their South Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday this afternoon.
Wednesday started the stronger of the two sides and took the lead on nine minutes after hitting both the post and bar. Twenty minutes later they doubled their advantage when a right-wing deflected cross was headed in on the line.
Despite having several players missing due to Under 21 duties, the young Reds showed great character to hit back against the Owls with Omari Alexander-Salmon striking twice in the second half.
The Reds rallied after the break and took hold of the match with McKnight clipping the outside of the post from 25 yards after he surged forward from his own half.
The goal was coming and it arrived on the hour mark through Omari Alexander-Salmon. The winger pounced on a loose ball on the half-volley, sending the ball into the far corner.
With confidence now oozing from the youngsters, they levelled ten minutes later through Alexander-Salmon once more but he had Shillito and Sousa to thank for their creativity. Shillito send a marvellous 60-yard cross-field ball to Sousa and his delivery found Alexander-Salmon who hammered into the top corner from 12 yards.
Reds: Mackey, Smith, Freeman (Maris), Bree, Ngoma, Shillito, Biggins, McKnight, Alexander-Salmon, Sousa, Williams (Cooke).
