Barnsley U23 vs Ipswich Town U23 on 08 Mar 19 - Match Centre

Barnsley U23s host Ipswich Town on Friday afternoon looking to build on their emphatic 4-0 victory over Colchester United.

The young Reds were imperious on Monday evening at the JobServe Community Stadium and were clinical in front of goal courtesy of strikes from Amir Berkovits, a Sam Fielding double and trialist Chris Sang.

Martin Devaney’s side are one of the form teams in the Professional Development League at the moment, and their 19-point haul from the last ten games is bettered only by Leeds United and Coventry City (both 20).

Victory over the Tractor Boys on Friday will see the young Reds draw level on points with fifth place Crewe Alexandra, who conceded a 94th minute equaliser away to Millwall on Thursday afternoon.

Like Barnsley, Ipswich are in a rich vein of form themselves and have also amassed 19 points from their last ten outings.

Gerard Nash’s side currently lead the way in the south league and are the top scorers in both divisions with an incredible 59 goals. The Tractor Boys are also sound defensively, and only Birmingham City have conceded fewer than the East Anglian outfit.

There have only been two meetings between the two teams, with Ipswich winning the last encounter 3-0 at Portman Road in September 2017.

However, the last time the Tractor Boys travelled to Oakwell, Barnsley ran out 3-1 winners courtesy of goals from Omari Patrick, Jake Charles and Jacob Brown, with Andre Dozzell on target for the visitors.

The Reds will be hoping for a similar result on Friday afternoon as they bid to mirror the first team with a run of magnificent results.

You can see how Devaney’s team fare by attending the game for FREE at the Oakwell Training Ground, kick-off at 2pm. Alternatively, you can follow updates on our official Academy Twitter account: @AcademyBFC.

All supporters attending this fixture are politely reminded to park in the main Oakwell car park and not on Grove Street.

Barnsley U23s were held to a 2-2 draw with Professional Development League south leaders Ipswich Town on Friday afternoon.

The young Reds led 2-0 at the break courtesy of goals from Tai-Reece Chisholm and Jordan Barnett, but the visitors hit back late in the second half through Kai Brown and Idris El Mizouni, who reacted quickest after Brett McGavin’s penalty had been saved by Jake Greatorex.

It was harsh on Martin Devaney’s side, who had created the better opportunities over the course of the game and defended resolutely, but were eventually undone in the final ten minutes.

The Tractor Boys started brightly, but it was Barnsley who made the break through after some intricate play on the edge of the box from Elliot Simoes. He played it into the path of Chisholm, who confidently arrowed into the bottom corner with his left foot after just nine minutes.

Kyle Connell fired wide from 20-yards and Louis Walsh saw his close-range effort well-saved by Harry Wright, before Matty Wolfe’s shot was blocked as Ipswich dug deep as the first half wore on.

But Barnsley wouldn’t be kept at bay for long, and Chisholm this time turned provider as he brilliantly lofted the ball over the visiting defence, into the path of Barnett who casually side-footed into the same corner as his teammate two minutes before the interval.

HALF-TIME: Barnsley 2-0 Ipswich Town

The hosts came out flying after half-time and Simoes almost got his just rewards for excellent perseverance when he charged down Wright in his own area. The Ipswich stopper’s clearance clattered off the Reds winger, but bobbled narrowly wide.

Simoes and Chris Sang both saw shots blocked as Barnsley pushed forward for a killer third goal, but it was the Tractor Boys who struck next as Brown lashed a thunderous drive into the roof of the net.

Moments later, Ipswich were awarded a penalty. McGavin stepped up and saw his spot-kick saved by Greatorex, who plunged to his right and palmed the ball away. However, El Mizouni was first to the rebound and he was able to scramble home over the goal line with eight minutes remaining.

The Reds came close to a dramatic late winner, but Wright was able to hold onto Simoes’ fierce low drive with Chisholm racing in for a potential follow-up.

REDS XI: Greatorex, Helliwell, Fielding (c), French, Barnett, Walsh (Willard, 76), Wolfe (Wardle, 62), Chisholm, Simoes, Connell (Feeney, 73), Sang.

Not used: Kendrick, Aramburu.

IPSWICH XI: Wright, Crowe, Clements, Cotter, Webber, Ndaba, El Mizouni, McGavin, Brown, Nydam, Dobra.

Subs: Simpson, Egan, Hughes, Fehrenbach, Foudil.

BARNSLEY FOOTBALL CLUB

U23s | PREVIEW: Barnsley Vs Ipswich

U23s | REPORT: Barnsley 2-2 Ipswich