Crystal Palace U23 vs Barnsley U23 on 03 Sep 18 - Match Centre

Barnsley U23s face a stern examination on Monday afternoon as they travel to Crystal Palace in the Professional Development League.

The Eagles finished last season top of the South division, but were beaten 1-0 by Nottingham Forest in the play-off semi-final after extra time.

Like Barnsley, the Selhurst Park outfit have a rich history of developing players to go on and feature for the first team, with Nathaniel Clyne, Victor Moses, Wilfried Zaha and, most recently, Aaron Wan-Bissaka all progressing through their set-up.

Another gem amongst the Eagles’ youth ranks is Nya Kirby, having moved to south London from Tottenham Hotspur two years ago. The midfield maestro was also part of the England squad that won the U17 FIFA World Cup last year.

Kirby was introduced nine minutes from time in the final against Spain with England 3-2 ahead, as the Three Lions went on to claim a memorable 5-2 victory in Kolkata, India.

Richard Shaw’s side suffered their first defeat of the campaign last week as they were beaten 2-1 by Burnley in Lancashire. On target for Palace was Levi Lumeka, who made his first team debut against the Clarets in September 2017.

Barnsley will be looking to bounce back from consecutive defeats against Cardiff City and Charlton Athletic when they travel to Selhurst Park, having shipped six goals and scored none in their past two outings.

The spoils have been shared on both meetings between the two sides; a 0-0 stalemate at Oakwell last season and a 2-2 draw at Palace back in August 2016.

For any travelling supporters, tickets can be purchased from the Box Office at Selhurst Park on the day. Tickets are priced at £3 for adults and £1 for concessions. Kick-off is at 1pm.

You will also be able to follow the game live on the official Academy Twitter account: @AcademyBFC.

Barnsley U23s suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace in the Professional Development League on Monday.

The hosts, under the cosh for large parts of the first half, came out flying after the interval and stormed to victory courtesy of a Kian Flanagan hat-trick and a long-range piledriver from Lewis Bryon.

It was Martin Devaney’s side who made the brighter start and almost took the lead inside the opening 15 minutes, but Jordan Barnett saw his spectacular effort from distance clawed out of the top corner by Dion-Curtis Henry.

The Reds continued to look dangerous and came close through Cameron Simpson’s shot from range before Tai-Reece Chisholm ran at a retreating Eagles’ backline, cut onto his left foot and unleashed a fierce drive that looked destined for the top corner only to veer narrowly wide of the upright.

Louis Walsh then burst down the left flank as the second half drew to a close, but no one in black could get on the end of his cross that flashed dangerously across the face of goal.

It was a positive half for Barnsley, but Richard Shaw’s side ensure any encouraging signs were soon snuffed out just nine minutes after the restart as Flanagan arrived unmarked into the box and drilled into the bottom corner.

In the blink of an eye, the hosts made it 2-0 as Sam Fielding was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the area. From the resulting penalty, Flanagan doubled his tally for the afternoon as he sent Henry Kendrick the wrong way.

Two soon became three for Palace, who had begun to run riot at Selhurst Park as Bryon shifted the ball onto his right foot and let fly from 25-yards. His stunning effort flew into the far bottom corner, leaving Kendrick no chance.

The Reds’ stopper then had to be at his very best to turn Sam Woods’ near post flick over the bar, before the Eagles were awarded a second penalty ten minutes from time. Up stepped Flanagan to convert his hat-trick, once again sending Kendrick the wrong way, to compound Barnsley’s misery.

EAGLES XI: Henry, D. Boateng, Chamberlin-Gayle, Bryon, Tavares, Woods, Robertson (Keutcha, 84), McGregor, Daly (Street, 74), Flanagan (M. Boateng, 89), Addy.

Not used: Tupper, Brown

REDS XI: Kendrick, Wardle, Fielding, Smith, Simpson (Helliwell, 40), Otim, Barnett, Berkovits, Chisholm, Walsh (Trialist, 67), McDonagh (Feeney, 67)

Not used: Moon

BARNSLEY FOOTBALL CLUB

U23s | PREVIEW: Palace Vs Reds

U23s | REPORT: Crystal Palace 4-0 Barnsley