Our U23s claimed a 3-1 victory at home to Peterborough United in the Professional Development League on Friday afternoon.

Two goals in quick succession from Amir Ariely and Will Hondermarck in the last ten minutes secured the three points to move Martin Devaney’s side up to fourth in the table

The Reds started the game strong, and it wasn’t long until we got our first opportunity at goal as Isaac Christie-Davies fired wide from distance.

Peterborough tried to utilise their pacy attackers and this tactic nearly paid off. Posh striker Kai Corbett was slipped in behind the Barnsley defence, but just before he could pull the trigger heroic defending meant that only a corner was conceded. 

Our visitors continued to search for the first goal with Lewis Darlington flicking a header just wide.

However, David Bremang broke the deadlock and put Barnsley one up just after the quarter of the hour mark with a curling effort that proved too much for keeper Bogdan Marian after Kareem Hassan-Smith had seen is shot blocked.

The Reds kept pressing for a second and had most of the possession in the first half, and Hondermarck came close but saw his low shot palmed behind for a corner after being played in by Aiden Marsh.

Although Barnsley had more of the ball it didn’t mean that United were out of the game with their final chance of the half falling to Corbett, but his attempt was well wide.

Just before half-time, Marsh had the best chance to double our lead, but the young striker was unable to keep his attempt down and fired over from close range following excellent work from Bremang in the left channel.

HALF-TIME: Barnsley 1-0 Peterborough United

Straight from the restart, the Reds were in again with Bremang forcing Marian to make a super double save.

The second goal seemed inevitable with the amount of chances our U23s were creating, with Christie-Davies rattling the crossbar with a thunderous strike from distance.

Barnsley were made to rue those missed chances, however, as Posh scored against the run of play with skipper Charlie O’Connell firing home to level the scores midway through the second half.

The Reds regained control of the contest with just seven minutes remaining as Amir Ariely capitalised on a bouncing ball in the area to prod into the bottom corner.

The points were sealed less than five minutes later with Hondermarck surging down the right flank and rounding a stranded Marian before slotting casually into an empty net.

FULL-TIME: Barnsley 3-1 Peterborough United

REDS XI: Jinadu (GK), Hondermarck, Hassan-Smith, Ariely, Lancaster (C), Hodgson, Marsh (Hartley), Christie-Davies (Nejman), Trialist (Sherlock), Bremang, Helliwell.

Not used: Flavell (GK), D. Benson.