Millwall U23 vs Barnsley U23 on 22 Mar 19 - Match Centre

Barnsley U23s travel to Millwall on Friday afternoon in the Professional Development League looking to stretch their unbeaten run to ten games.

The young Reds drew 0-0 with Sheffield Wednesday in blustery conditions at the Oakwell Training Ground last time out as they continue to end the campaign strongly.

Results elsewhere last week mean that Martin Devaney’s side can’t climb the table with victory at the Den, but they can close the gap to Crewe Alexandra and Bolton Wanderers – providing the aforementioned teams fail to win.

Millwall are currently fourth in the south league and ran out 2-0 winners against high-flying Birmingham City in their last outing.

Mason Saunders-Henry was on target for the Lions in that game, and he will be the one to watch in south east London on Friday afternoon. The 19-year-old midfielder has nine goals to his name in 21 appearances this campaign.

After going eight games unbeaten earlier this season, Kevin Nugent’s side then lost seven of their next 11 fixtures – including a 5-0 drubbing against leaders Ipswich Town at the end of January.

Statistics suggest that was a freak result for Millwall, who have the second-best defensive record across both divisions. Only Birmingham (23) have conceded fewer goals than the Lions (27) this campaign, although Friday’s hosts haven’t been quite as prolific in the final third.

Like Barnsley, Millwall have found the net 32 times – only five teams in the Professional Development League have scored fewer goals. However, the Reds have netted half of that tally in their last nine games and are very much on an upward curve.

The last time these two sides met, Barnsley ran out 3-0 winners at Oakwell back in September 2017 with Cameron McGeehan scoring twice before Mamadou Thiam completed the rout.

You can find out how Martin Deveney’s youngsters fare by attending the game at the Den on Friday, kick-off at 2pm. Tickets are priced at £5 for adults and £1 for under 16s. Alternatively, you can follow updates on our official Academy Twitter account: @AcademyBFC.

Barnsley U23s continued their unbeaten run with a hard-fought 0-0 draw away to Millwall on Friday afternoon.

The young Reds are now ten games unbeaten after claiming a share of the spoils at the Den, and perhaps could have taken all three points on another day.

It was a cagey opening in south east London, with neither side able to fashion any goal scoring opportunities – although the hosts did have the ball in the net early on, but it was correctly ruled out for a foul in the build-up.

Elliot Simoes cut in from the left and curled a shot narrowly wide after fine play from the visitors, before Henry Kendrick rushed out to block Fred Onyedinma’s effort with half-time approaching.

However, there was still time for one last Barnsley chance before the interval as Chris Sang latched onto Jordan Barnett’s free-kick. His header deflected onto the post and Mateo Aramburu couldn’t quite steer the rebound home.

HALF-TIME: Millwall 0-0 Barnsley

The Reds began the second half as they ended the first, and almost took the lead straight from the restart. Amir Berkovits raced onto a through ball and cut back onto his right foot, but Amos stood tall to block his effort from inside the six-yard box.

Aramburu then fired just wide of the upright moments later as Barnsley looked to take the game to their hosts.

The Reds looked solid defensively, limiting the experienced Tom Elliott to scraps while the industrious Onyedinma was marshalled brilliantly by Harry Gagen.

Chances continued to fall for Barnsley, and it was Aramburu who looked most likely to break the deadlock – twice testing Amos; first from distance down to his left and then from close range up to his right.

Sam Fielding came agonisingly close to giving the Reds a deserved lead, but his towering header 20 minutes from time bounced just wide of the post.

That would prove to be the last clear-cut opportunity for either side, but it was another impressive performance from Martin Devaney’s youngsters who continue to go from strength to strength as the Professional Development League campaign reaches its climax.

MILLWALL XI: Amos, McNamara, Debrah, Topalloj, Meredith (Tiensia, 59), Onyedinma, Donovan, Hanson, White, Saunders-Henry (Alexander, 59), Elliott.

Not used: Wright, Parker, Mitchell.

REDS XI: Kendrick, Gagen, Ige, Fielding (c), Moon, Barnett, Berkovits, Bird, Simoes (Oure, 71), Sang (Chisholm, 71), Aramburu (Feeney, 78).

Not used: Pache, Willard.

BARNSLEY FOOTBALL CLUB

U23s | PREVIEW: Millwall Vs Barnsley

U23s | REPORT: Millwall 0-0 Barnsley