BARNSLEY FOOTBALL CLUB

Barnsley U21s 3 (Maris 35, 54, Boakye-Yiadom 74)
Newcastle U21s 2 (Campbell 20, Armstrong 89)

Barnsley's 'Under 21s' edged out Newcastle United in this five-goal thriller on Oakwell's Academy pitch.

The only indication that this match was a pre-season clash was the weather, because every other aspect of the 90 minutes pointed towards that of a fast-paced, competitive cup tie.

After going 1-0 down, the Reds fought back and scored three quality goals, but had Christian Dibble to thank for a string of top-drawer saves - including a penalty stop that denied French international Hatem Ben Arfa.

When Adam Campbell gave the visitors the lead on 20 minutes after neat play down the left, it seemed as though the floodgates may have opened as United started in full flow.

When Rhys Oates burst down the left on 35 minutes, he was all ready for celebrating after firing towards goal from a tight angle but saw his effort crash off the post. Thankfully, George Maris was on hand to power home from 10 yards.

Just five minutes into the second half and when Harris Vuckic went down under Bailey Gooda's challenge, the referee pointed to the spot. Hatem Ben Arfa sent a powerful drive towards Dibble's left-hand side but the 'keeper got down and across well to tip the ball away.

The hosts took advantage of Dibble's quality penalty save and took the lead on 54 minutes. After countering down the middle, George Maris picked his spot from 20 yards out - curling into the bottom corner with a placed finish.

The Reds extended their lead on 74 minutes and in some style. When striker Nana Boakye-Yiadom appeared to be going nowhere, he unleashed a stunning strike from just inside the corner of the penalty area that sailed into the near, top corner.

Dibble was standing strong between the sticks as Ben Arfa had another crack from distance that forced the youngster into a great save once more. The Frenchman was proving the biggest threat for the Magpies as his quality shone through, thundering towards the roof of the net on 77 minutes from 25 yards only for Dibble to turn over with a strong hand.

With a couple of minutes remaining, Armstrong raced clear down the right-hand side of the penalty area and tucked his finish beyond Dibble, but it wasn't enough for the visitors as Barnsley secured the victory.

Reds XI: Dibble, Gooda, Noble-Lazarus, Holgate, Cowgill, Digby, McKnight, Maris, McHale, Oates, Boakye-Yiadom.