A solid defensive showing from Barnsley in West London ensured the Reds left with a deserved point and a clean sheet in this 0-0 draw with Brentford.
The Bees dominated the first half but struggled to test Adam Davies, going closest when Neal Maupay was denied by a fine reaction save from the Reds ‘keeper.
Tom Bradshaw rifled an effort into the side netting as the half wore on, as the Reds began to launch their own assault in the second half.
Harvey Barnes’ excellent shot from a free kick routine forced a flying save from Dan Bentley, who was almost beaten by Tom Bradshaw from close range as he latched onto Barnes’ cross.
Nico Yennaris almost turned George Moncur’s cross into his own net late on and Davies made a stunning stoppage time save to deny Ollie Watkins to secure the Reds a well earned point.
Paul Heckingbottom made just one change this afternoon, bringing George Moncur back in for Brad Potts who dropped to the bench.
The hosts began brightly with Sergi Canos almost rounding off Ollie Watkins’ cross with a fine volley, but the Reds defenders threw their bodies on the line to deny the winger.
Moments later, Neal Maupay has the chance to open the scoring from close range following another good Bees move, only for Adam Davies to pull off a fine reaction save to deny him.
Barnsley’s first opportunity came as Mamadou Thiam let fly from the edge of the area seven minutes in, flashing wide of the target with a good attempt.
Maupay latched onto Yoann Barbet’s lofted through ball but Davies was again there to smother the effort and the pair combined once more, with a low ball in just in front of the striker soon after.
Excellent defending from Jason McCarthy saw the full-back clear Andreas Bjelland’s header off the line as the Bees continued to push for the opener.
A fast Harvey Barnes counter from a Brentford corner was ended as Dan Bentley raced off his line to deny him, whilst Romaine Sawyers glanced just wide from close range.
Maupay stuck out a toe to prod Josh McEachran’s low drive just wide with six minutes remaining of the half and despite wrong-footing Davies, his shot drifted just wide.
Brentford’s relentless attacks continued but still the Reds held firm, Barbet letting fly from 25 yards and forcing Davies into action with a low save to his right just before the break, ensuring both sides went in level.
But in a rare foray forward, it was almost the Reds who went in ahead as Tom Bradshaw’s driven shot at Bentley’s near post rippled the side netting with the ‘keeper fully stretched.
HALF TIME: Brentford 0-0 Barnsley
Paul Heckingbottom was forced into a change four minutes into the second half following an injury to Matty Pearson, with Ethan Pinnock introduced in his place.
A stunning interception from Liam Lindsay prevented Maupay from having another chance to hit the target soon after.
A training ground free kick routine allowed Barnes to send an effort spinning towards Dan Bentley’s goal, which the stopper just managed to parry away to safety.
Barnes lashed another effort into the area that had to be pushed away to safety with Lindsay stretching to head in at the back post.
The Leicester loanee then sent in a delightful cross towards Bradshaw on the slide, who just lifted the ball over the crossbar in the search for the opener.
Heckingbottom sent on Ike Ugbo for the final 10 minutes in place of Thiam, with the Reds maintaining their compact shape at the back and looking strong all over the field.
George Moncur’s excellent delivery was almost rifled into his own net by Nico Yennaris with five minutes remaining as the Reds continued pushing.
Ollie Watkins almost snatched it for the hosts in stoppage time as he lashed towards the bottom corner from the edge of the area, only for a big Davies hand to push the ball to safety and preserve a point for the Reds.
FULL TIME: Brentford 0-0 Barnsley
Brentford: Bentley (GK), Clarke (Yennaris, 67’ ), Bjelland, Egan (c), Barbet, McEachran (Macleod, 73’ ), Woods, Canos (Jozefzoon, 73’ ), Sawyers, Watkins, Maupay.
Subs: Daniels (GK), Mokotjo, Chatzitheodoridis, Mepham.
Barnsley: Davies (GK) (c), McCarthy, Pearson (Pinnock, 49’ ), Lindsay, Yiadom, Moncur, J. Williams, Gardner, Barnes (Hammill, 88’ ), Bradshaw, Thiam (Ugbo, 81’ ).
Subs: Townsend (GK), Mallan, Potts, Bird.
