Helliwell: "The lads will be a bit more fired up."

Young defender targeting three points in the derby

27 October 2019

Barnsley U23s are in South Yorkshire derby action on Monday afternoon as they travel to Sheffield Wednesday in the Professional Development League.

The young Reds are looking to bounce back from the narrow 2-1 defeat to Burnley in their last outing, but, despite the result, it was an encouraging performance from Martin Devaney’s side.

Jordan Helliwell believes there were plenty of positives to take from the Clarets’ game and says he and his teammates are learning every week.

“I thought we played well in the first half and dealt with them,” insisted the young defender. “Compared to us, they’re a bit older and more physical, so it was tough, and we made a couple of mistakes which led to their two goals. It was unfortunate because we had chances to get something from the game as well.

“Throughout the season, I think we’ve played well so far and had some good results. We’ve also had some games where we’ve needed improvement, but those are the games where we learn more.”

Helliwell only turned 18 last month but doesn’t look out of place playing at an older age group. In fact, his burgeoning potential and talent saw him make his first team debut last season.

Another fledgling is fellow defender Rudi Pache, who is still just 17-years-old but is adjusting well to U23s football.

“It’s obviously more physical and a faster tempo, but we’re both adapting well and forming relationships with other players in the team,” continued Helliwell. “It’s a learning curve in training and in games as well, and it all helps us improve as players.”

Sheffield Wednesday have won just once in their last five outings and come into this clash on the back of a 4-2 defeat against Bolton Wanderers.

The Reds ran out 2-1 winners in this fixture last season, and Helliwell is confident that his side can repeat the feat if they play to their potential.

“With it being a derby, it gets the lads a bit more fired up,” he claimed. “There’ll probably be big tackles because both teams will want to win, but I think, with how we’ve been training and playing recently, that we can beat them.

“Because we’ve beat them before, we know we can beat them again so we’re going there looking for a win.”

You can watch our U23s in the South Yorkshire derby at Stocksbridge Park Steels on Monday 28 October, kick-off at 12pm.

Alternatively, you can follow updates on our official Academy Twitter account: @AcademyBFC.

Match Reports

U23s | REPORT: Sheffield Wednesday 0-3 Barnsley

Three points for Martin Devaney's side in South Yorkshire derby

28 October 2019

Barnsley U23s got back to winning ways with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday in the South Yorkshire derby on Monday afternoon.

Goals from Sam Fielding, Luke Thomas and Patrick Schmidt were enough to seal all three points for Martin Devaney’s side at Stocksbridge Park Steels.

It was a productive afternoon for the Reds, who saw scorer Schmidt complete 90 minutes along with fellow Austrian Sami Radlinger as they both continue their recovery from injury.

Add to that the return of Romal Palmer from his lay-off, there are plenty of reasons for Barnsley to be optimistic moving forward.

The Owls started brightly and almost capitalised on a defensive mishap, but Radlinger was on hand to sweep up and alleviate any remaining danger.

But it was the visitors who would strike first when Fielding rose highest at the far post to head home Jordan Barnett’s deep cross inside six minutes.

Fraser Preston and Preslav Borukov both came close for Wednesday as they flashed efforts narrowly wide of the upright as Neil Thompson’s side pushed for a leveller.

But, after a sustained period of pressure, Barnsley had their second as Elliot Simoes picked out Thomas with a fine through ball and the Reds’ forward confidently slotted into the bottom corner.

Simoes almost scored a spectacular overhead kick, while Schmidt and Mallik Wilks also looked to extend the visitors’ lead before the interval.

HALF-TIME: Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 Barnsley

The Reds dominated proceeding after the restart, with Callum Styles orchestrating the play from midfield and Clarke Oduor providing a steely shield in front of a resolute backline.

Fielding came close to bagging his second with a volley from distance that was blocked by the Owls’ defence, while Styles forced Josh Render into a tremendous save up to his right as he met Jordan Barnett’s corner with a fierce half-volley.

Radlinger was rarely called into action, but he had to make a smart stop to deny Conor Grant when the Wednesday forward took aim from range.

After a number of attacks fizzled out, Barnsley eventually killed the game off in stoppage time when Schmidt ran onto Palmer’s pass before confidently lifting the ball over Render to round off a comfortable victory.

REDS XI: Radlinger, Green (Helliwell, 80), Pache, Fielding (c), Barnett, Oduor, Simoes, Styles, Thomas (Palmer, 62), Schmidt, Wilks (Mottley-Henry, 62).

Not used: Brown, Gagen.

OWLS XI: Render, Hughes, West, Waldock, Lee, Brennan, Uchegbulam, Shaw, Borukov, Grant, Preston.

Subs: Jackson, Hunt, Thompson, Rice, O’Brien.