Birmingham U21s 2
Barnsley U21s 0
The Reds suffered defeat for only the second time in seven matches, as two second-half goals from Mitch Hancox and David Popa gave the home side victory.
The wind played a major part in the game with neither team creating any real chances due to passes being either under or over-hit.
It was the wind that opened the scoring midway through the second half, as Hancox’s left-wing cross flew over everyone, including Reds ‘keeper Nick Townsend and into the net.
Despite having the better of the play the Reds struggled to fashion a clear cut chance. Efforts from Brad Ash and George Maris both called the Blues stopper Adam Legzdins into action, but they were relatively comfortable saves.
With just moments left on the clock, Birmingham managed to find a second and seal the victory. With the Reds trying to find an equaliser they were caught short at the back. Hancox was involved again, this time as the provider and he played a short pass to David Popa on the edge of the box where he smashed the ball in.
Senior Development Coach Paul Heckingbottom gave his thoughts after the match.
“The wind spoiled the game.” He explained. “There wasn’t much in it and neither team did enough to win it, I thought 0-0 would have been fair.
“There weren’t many shots on goal from either side but they scored through the wind which changed the game.
“We have still got to win, you’ve got to learn to play in the wind but we didn’t have enough quality today. We didn’t create enough, we had a few shots but we never really looked like scoring.
“The lads worked hard and applied themselves well, but we weren’t good enough today.”
Reds XI: Townsend (GK), Jeffs, Cowgill, Gooda, Templeton, Lima, Abbott, Drennan, Maris, Dumaka, Ash.
Subs: Walton, Hanna, Saeed, Wardle, Alton.
