Solid Stalemate Workout
Attendance: 2,143
Fourth Official: Joe Goodwin
Assistant Referees: David Richardson and Ricky Wooton
Referee: Bobby Madley
WBA: Foster, Jara Reyes, Jones, Olsson, Tamas, Hurst, Morrison, Dorrans, Thomas, Gera, Long.
Edwards. Subs:
Reds: Alnwick, Stones, Foster, McNulty, Wiseman, Digby (Martin 65), Dawson (Trialist 65), O'Brien (Silva 65), Mellis (Done 65), Etuhu (Perkins 65), Dagnall (Mido 65).
Matty Done produced the moment of the match as he dinked the ball over not only, but two defenders before unleashing a volley that zipped just wide of a stranded Foster’s left-hand upright on 73 minutes.
Silva jinked his way forward on 70 minutes only to be fouled but the referee played a good advantage which saw Mido fire in but was thwarted by a good block.
The Reds had fresh impetus after the six substitutions and a good move ended in Martin blasting well wide, but Barnsley were looking brighter.
Long hit the post with a glancing header on 66 minutes before the Reds managed a counter where Mido had more time than he perhaps realised as the Egyptian opted to pass instead of shoot.
After the break Dorrans tried his luck with a vicious low drive on 49 minutes but Alnwick was more than equal to it, low to his right.
Thomas tested Alnwick again on 34 minutes but the former Spurs man was comfortable in gathering the attempt at his near post. Four minutes later Thomas cracked another one from 20 yards but his strike was straight down the throat of Alnwick.
The baggies’ woodwork was rattled on 17 minutes when foster spilled O’Brien’s fierce cross with Dagnall lurking close by and barely a minute later Olsson had to charge down a Mellis drive.
With quarter of an hour gone Alwnick was called into action for the first time as he denied Hirst from the far side.
The away side hogged the opening two chances with the second one going closer as on 12 minutes Hurst dragged just wide from 12 yards.
Reds fans got a glimpse of their new-look side as Hill’s men played out a solid goalless draw with Premier League West Brom in the July sunshine.
