A fantastic first half goal by captain Will Calligan secured an impressive result, which sees Barnsley U18s rise to third in the Professional Development League table.

Meanwhile, this gave the goal scorer himself even more reason to celebrate after turning 18 on Friday!

Looking to build on last weekend’s victory over Leeds United, Tom Harban made just one change to his starting line-up, with Callum Walmsley being brought in to partner Sam Nicholson at the centre of defence. Archie Brown, Connor Hodgson and Amir Ariely were also called up to the match day squad.

The sides began the day level on points, and so it was no surprise to see the game get off to a competitive start. Hull City appeared to be having more of the ball and tested Kieran Flavell a number of times inside the opening 20 minutes.

This, however, was to change when Barnsley took the lead in the 28th minute. Brad Binns started the neat move, passing to Aiden Marsh in the box, who held the ball up before teeing up Calligan to drill home first time.

From here the visitors had their own spell of dominance, before exemplifying more robust defending in the closing stages of the opening 45 minutes to hold onto the lead heading into the break.

HALF-TIME: Hull City 0-1 Barnsley

Hull applied pressure in the second half as they went in search of an equaliser, which they almost got in the 62nd minute, but Luke Reed couldn’t quite reach Will Jarvis’ low cross.

Barnsley on the other hand, we’re looking increasingly dangerous on the counter as the half wore on.

The advantage was almost doubled in the final moments when Binns broke up the play in the middle of the park before sending a long ball over to Marsh. The forward then fed Charlie Winfield down the flank, who squared for Newton Sila-Conde in the area although he wasn’t able to get over the ball and hit the target.

Come the final whistle, one goal proved to be enough for the Reds, who are back in action next weekend at home to Crewe Alexandra, looking to make it seven games unbeaten.

REDS XI: Flavell, Hassan-Smith, Walmsley, Nicholson, Calligan, Lancaster, Binns, Winfield, Birks, Sherlock, Marsh.

Subs: Brown, Ariely, Ackroyd, Sila-Conde, Hodgson.

HULL XI: Robson, Thompson, Leake, Wood, Swift, Bayram, Carew, Best, Reeves, Jarvis, Lovick.

Subs: Fisk, Ward, Green, Power, Hinds.