Our U18s made it eight unbeaten in all competitions with a comfortable 3-0 win against Hull City on Friday morning at the Oakwell Training Ground.
Goals from Keegan Hartley, Lloyd Smith and Mylan Benjamin – their first of the season – sealed all three points for the Reds, who climbed to the top of the Professional Development League.
Barnsley had the best of the chances in the opening 10 minutes with three free-kicks in the same dangerous position that were unable to find a red head and defended well by the visitors.
Hull saw their first opportunity sail past the post when Keegan Green shot wide from the edge of the box after a fluid counter-attack.
Shortly after, we had the ball in the net following Smith’s looping header over Tigers’ keeper Harry Fisk, but our young attacker was adjudged to be offside.
With half an hour on the clock, Barnsley were awarded another free-kick, but this time Smith’s fierce effort was palmed around the post by Fisk as we looked to make our pressure tell.
However, less than a minute later, the ball was in City’s net as Hartley took aim from 25-yards and curled a magnificent effort into the top corner to give us a deserved lead heading into the break.
HALF-TIME: Barnsley 1-0 Hull City
The Reds doubled their lead early in the second half as goal scorer turned provider with Hartley finding a low cross for Smith to smash past the keeper from close range.
That woke the visitors up as they started to gain more possession and left back Henry Curtis saw a shot from just inside the box well saved by Archie Brown.
With time ticking away, Barnsley continued to hold the ball and maintain their two-goal cushion. Fabio Jalo had an opportunity to get on the scoresheet, but his attempt was kept out by Fisk
In the last 10, the Tom Harban’s side had more chances to extend their lead with Charlie Hickingbottom forcing a great save and, from the resulting corner, Doyle hit the crossbar with an outstretched leg.
Nevertheless, Barnsley finally got their third as Mylan Benjamin reacted quickest to gobble up the rebound after Jalo had been denied by Fisk.
It was another impressive performance from the young Reds, who travel to Sheffield Wednesday in a fortnight looking to continue their fine form.
FULL-TIME: Barnsley 3-0 Hull City
REDS XI: Brown (GK), Hall, Lacey (Benjamin), Doyle, Murchison, Makiessi, Nejman, Hickingbottom, Smith, Hartley, Jalo.
Unused: Ravenhill, Dyer, Joof, Anaman.
