Martin Devaney’s U23 side fell short at Oakwell on Monday afternoon.
In what was a first-half of limited chances, the Reds took the lead through a well worked move, finished by David Bremang. However, Hull City reacted after the break as a Will Jarvis double, including a 89th minute penalty, completed the Tigers’ comeback and condemned Barnsley to a disappointing defeat.
Following a quiet opening to proceedings, the U23 Professional Development League encounter sprung in to life when Kareem Hassan-Smith came close to finishing a flowing Barnsley attack. Jack Sherlock showed composure in the Hull City penalty area to withstand defensive pressure and lay-up the Bradford-born wing-back, however Hassan-Smith could only find the side netting with his effort.
From that moment, the Reds seemed to seize control of proceedings. Jason Sraha, wearing the captains armband, showed moments of real maturity, making crucial interceptions and starting attacks by stepping out of defence. Yet, it wasn’t until the 43rd minute that Martin Devaney’s side made the breakthrough.
With space to run, Will Hondermarck flew through the midfield, before spotting Tomas Kalinauskas' run. The Lithuanian U21 international managed to cut the ball back infield to David Bremang, who, from 12-yards out, fired the Reds in front with a smart first-time finish.
Just before the half-time whistle, claims of a Barnsley penalty were waved away by the officials. Kalinauskas jinked past a couple of Hull City defenders before seemingly being taken down at knee height from behind.
HALF-TIME: Barnsley 1 – 0 Hull City
Hull City restarted the encounter with real drive and purpose, immediately responding and putting the hosts on the backfoot. Will Jarvis cut in from the right, skipping past Jordan Helliwell and burying his strike into the bottom right corner.
Whilst this wasn’t a classic encounter, it was brightened by a couple of wonderful Jamie Pardington saves. The first came from a deflected McCauley Snelgrove free-kick, before a brilliant reaction prevented an unmarked Jarvis from doubling his and Hull’s tally.
After withstanding waves of pressure, Barnsley had a couple of opportunites of their own. The first notable effort of the second-half came through Will Hondermarck, who couldn’t fully connect to a wicked Hayden Pickard corner.
Substitute, Aiden Marsh, then made something out of nothing. Picking up possession deep inside Hull City territory, he whipped a menacing cross across the face of goal, but despite a despairing dive, David Bremang couldn’t make the necessary connection to see the ball home.
Half chances came and went for local lads, Hayden Pickard and Aiden Marsh, but with the game seemingly petering out, in the 89th minute, the visitors were awarded a penalty. A quick switch of play saw Jake Leake bearing down on goal. Just as the full-back shaped to shoot, he was adjuged to have been fouled by Hassan-Smith. Will Jarvis stepped up and settled the encounter from the spot.
FULL-TIME: Barnsley 1 – 2 Hull City
REDS XI: Pardington (GK), Hassan-Smith, Pickard, Benson (Daniel), Sraha, Helliwell, Kalinauskas, Hondermarck, Bremang, Christie-Davies, Sherlock.
Substitutes: Brown, Marsh, Lancaster, Nejman, Smith
