U23S PREVIEW | IPSWICH TOWN (H)

12 October 2021

Our U23s welcome Ipswich Town to the Oakwell Training Ground on Tuesday afternoon.

The Reds will be fielding a youthful side against the Tractor Boys, who currently sit fourth in the Professional Development League South.

Although Barnsley may have less experience on the pitch than their opponents, U23s head coach Martin Devaney insists the test is one they are relishing the prospect of.

He said: “We’ll be stretched because we’re going to be a very young team. A lot of lads may be making their debuts, the bench is going to be young with a couple of under-16s, so it’s going to be a really big test for the boys but one that we’re looking forward to.

“We’ve got to show that Barnsley character – high energy, pressing and a mentality where you’re going to perform and outwork your opponents.”

Ipswich ran out 3-0 winners against Swansea City last week but it was the Reds who emerged victorious when the sides last met in April, when Angus Chapman notched the only goal of the game.

Devaney added: “They’re always well organised, obviously they’ve got experiences in their coaches. I’ve watched their previous game against Swansea and they played well. I know what they’re going to offer.”

Opposition Guide

Manager: Kieron Dyer

A product of Ipswich’s academy himself, Dyer is now in charge of his hometown club’s U23s side.

After bursting on the scene as a player at Portman Road, he went on to represent Newcastle United, West Ham United, QPR and Middlesbrough, as well as having a brief spell back with Ipswich in 2011.

With 33 England caps to his name, Dyer has plenty of wisdom to impart on the young Tractor Boys.

One To Watch: Harley Curtis

A highly-rated forward, Curtis scored a brace in Ipswich’s recent win over Swansea and will be hoping to impress again at the Oakwell Training Ground.

Live text commentary will be provided on our Academy Twitter feed (@AcademyBFC) and a match report will follow the final whistle here on: barnsleyfc.co.uk

Supporters are reminded that this fixture will be played behind closed doors.

Match Reports

U23S EARN DRAW WITH IPSWICH

12 October 2021

A youthful Barnsley U23s side secured a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town at the Oakwell Training Ground on Tuesday afternoon.

Fabio Jalo’s second half header was cancelled out shortly after by Tawanda Chiwera’s blistering strike as both sides settled for a point.

The Reds were the first to threaten, when Isaac Christie-Davies released David Bremang down the left flank. The forward squared but Ipswich stopper Antoni Bort reached the ball ahead of an oncoming Harrison Nejman.

Chances were at a premium in the early stages and the Tractor Boys did not catch a glimpse of goal until Zanda Sizibia drew a block from Kareem Hassan-Smith.

Bort was tested again when a teasing corner delivery found Bremang, who saw his header held by the Ipswich stopper.

Deliveries from the right proved to be a regular source of chances for Barnsley and Joe Ackroyd connected with one but sent his diving header wide.

Ipswich squandered a golden opportunity as half-time neared, when Ben Morris misjudged an Edwin Agbaje cross and accidentally connected with his shoulder, sending the ball harmlessly wide.

HALF-TIME: Barnsley 0-0 Ipswich Town

Both sides flew out of the traps in second half and Jordan Helliwell was forced to make a last-ditch block to prevent Harley Curtis finding the target.

At the other end, Bremang was unfortunate not to register an assist when his dangerous delivery from the right was not capitalised upon.

After going close again through Bremang and then Jack Sherlock, the Reds eventually broke the deadlock.

Young striker Jalo had stepped off the bench early in the second half and wasted little time making an impact. The substitute latched on to a cross from Ackroyd and his header was so powerful that a touch from the Ipswich goalkeeper could not stop it flying into the net.

However, the visitors were soon back on level terms when Chirewa rifled into the roof of the net from the edge of the box.

The Reds were forced to contend with a late Ipswich flurry but weathered the storm admirably, securing a point.

FULL-TIME: Barnsley 1-1 Ipswich Town

REDS XI: Brown, Hall, Ackroyd, Helliwell, Hassan-Smith, Lancaster, Sherlock (Goucher, 86), Christie-Davies, Bremang, Nejman (Hickingbottom, 74), Smith (Jalo, 52).

Not used: Ravenhill, Doyle.