Reds held by the visitors as both teams have to settle for a point.
Paul Harsley named his starting XI for today’s clash with Birmingham City on the Oakwell training ground with the knowledge that first team players Adam Jackson and Joe Williams would be involved in some capacity.
Both players began the match, with Jackson having been out of action since suffering an injury against Hull City in October. The defender managed to play the full 90 minutes with the on-looking first team coaching staff monitoring his every touch as he continues to make a return towards the first team. Williams was involved in the game to keep his fitness levels high whilst sitting out his three-match suspension following a straight red card at Millwall in the FA Cup.
The match itself was a competitive, but slightly uneventful affair at times with both teams challenging for every touch on a pitch that had undergone a morning pitch inspection following the adverse weather conditions.
The visitors took an early lead as Steve Seddon turned home a cross, which at the time was a deserved lead following the early pressure. This brought the Reds to life though and they pressured well up to the half-time point, but the score remained at 0-1 when the whistle went.
HALF TIME: Barnsley 0-1 Birmingham City
The second half saw Paul Harsley tweak his formation, which was saw an instant reward as Louis Wardle replied to get the scores level. A cross was again the deciding factor in the ball finding the net as Victor Adeboyejo, mainly known for his goalscoring abilities, turned provider by whipping a dangerous ball into the middle for Wardle to slot home.
Chances then came and went at both ends with Jake Greatorex coming into action to prevent the visitors regaining the lead on occasions, but his opposite number Jake Weaver had to remain just as focused to keep out the Reds at times as well, most notably the dangerous Amir Berkovits.
The final whistle went with both teams accepting a point, in a match that either could have won.
FULL TIME: Barnsley 1-1 Birmingham City
Reds XI: Greatorex (GK), W. Smith, B. Williams, J. Williams, Jackson, Lund, Wardle, Tingle, Adeboyejo, Rowe, Berkovits.
Subs: Kendrick (GK), Dolan, Fielding, Clare, Greenfield.
