Huddersfield U21s 3
Reds U21s 0
Barnsley U21s couldn't hold off a clinical Huddersfield Town side yesterday as they were confidently brushed aside.
Barnsley U21s couldn't hold off a clinical Huddersfield Town side yesterday as they were confidently brushed aside.
Three goals courtesy of Jon Stead, Harry Bunn and Paul Mullin were enough against a Barnsley team that felt harshly done by.
Both sides were composed in the early parts, with Barnsley coming close through Reuben Noble-Lazarus' drive, and Jon Stead spurning a glorious chance from close range for the home side.
The Terriers' attacking force found their way through, with a quarter of the game gone.
Neat interplay between Matt Crooks and Jordan Sinnott saw the latter deliver a peach of a delivery into Stead's path, who this time made no mistake, slotting past Christian Dibble.
Barnsley then boasted threats of their own. Iammanual Perry rose high to arrow a powerful header towards goal, but was frustrated to see it cleared off the line by Bunn.
Erico Sousa's trickery caused problems on the wing, and Noble-Lazarus's shot tested the palms of Lloyd Allinson, as he struggled with the movement of the ball.
The second half brought a livelier start from The Tykes, but their counterparts were eager to put the game to bed.
Cristian Lopez had a golden opportunity to extend Huddersfield's lead after hesitation in defence from Parry, but the Spaniard only found the side-netting.
The save of the afternoon came from an audacious 25-yard curling strike from Kelvin Etuhu, which Allinson tipped impressively onto the bar at full-stretch.
More opportunities came Stead's way, but he failed to convert two more simple close-ranger chances in front of a watching Mark Robins.
Huddersfield's second came with an element of good fortune.
Harry Bunn's effort from just inside the area fell fortuitously back into his path, and he stroked the ball past a helpless Dibble.
Despite the scoreline, Barnsley continued to look assured in possession, with Brad Abbott impressing at the heart of the midfield.
The home side wrapped the game up with a simply unstoppable third, which arguably flattered them.
Mullin found himself in acres of space 30 yards from goal, and unleashed an outstanding curving strike that flew into the top corner, drawing generous applause from all in attendance.
The victory for Huddersfield mean they secure the Professional Development League title after winning 13 of their last 14, whilst Barnsley failed to capitalise on an opportunity to go above Leeds Utd into 4th.
The Tykes play a home game against Sheff Wed in their next fixture (Tuesday March 17th, 1pm Kick Off)
Barnsley XI: Dibble, McKnight, Smith, Etuhu, Parry, Shillito, Sousa, Abbott, Rose (C), McHale, Noble-Lazarus.
Huddersfield XI: Allinson, Sinnott (C), Boyle, Tronstad, Crooks, Wright, Mullin, Robinson, Stead, Bunn, Lopez.
