Barnsley U23s get their Professional Development League campaign underway on Friday with a home game against Queens Park Rangers.
The young Reds had a positive pre-season, recording wins against Hemsworth Miners Welfare and Vanarama National League North outfit Guiseley AFC, while also putting in an impressive performance against Sunderland.
Martin Devaney will be hoping his side can continue their goal scoring form from the back end of last season, where the youngsters bagged nine goals in their final two games against Coventry City and Bristol City, respectively.
There are a number of players in contention to make their official debuts after arriving at Oakwell in the summer. Jordan Barnett, Tai-Reece Chisholm and Elvis Otim were all recruited following successful trial periods in the latter stages of the previous campaign, while Gerry McDonagh also signed for the Club on Wednesday.
QPR finished sixth in the Professional Development League South last time out and were the early pacesetters having won eight of their opening ten games, scoring 26 goals in the process. However, following a heavy 5-1 defeat against Colchester United in November, Rangers only won three more league games that campaign, losing a further ten times.
Aramide Oteh finished as top scorer for Paul Hall’s side last season with 13 goals. The 19-year-old striker’s form led to a first team call-up and he repaid that faith with his first senior goal in a 3-1 win at Burton Albion back in January.
You can watch how Martin Devaney’s young team get on by attending the game on the main Oakwell pitch, kick-off is at 2pm and it is FREE ENTRY in the WEST STAND ONLY.
You can follow the action on our official Academy Twitter account: @AcademyBFC.
