Our U23s fell to a 3-1 defeat against Sheffield United in the Professional Development League on Tuesday afternoon.
The early stages were relatively uneventful but eventually gave way to a hectic period, during which three goals were scored in the space of four minutes.
Sheffield United took the lead through Angelo Cappello, who steered home after latching onto a teasing cross from Leo Gaxha.
However, the Reds struck back almost instantly when a trialist drilled into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.
The visitors refused to be disheartened by the blow and restored their lead a minute later. Cappello met a cross from Andre Brooks and rifled beyond the Barnsley goalkeeper to clinch his second goal of the game.
Opportunities were at a premium for the remainder of the first half, but Barnsley almost drew level after a slick attacking move down the left flank. Rémy Vita released Tomas Kalinauskas and his low drive stung the palms of Blades stopper Marcus Dewhurst.
Sheffield United carved the Reds open on the stroke of half-time but Leo Gaxha dragged his effort wide from the left-hand side of the box.
HALF-TIME: Barnsley 1-2 Sheffield United
The Blades extended their lead early in the second half in bizarre fashion. A routine long punt from the visitors was headed into the Reds net by Jason Sraha as Barnsley’s goalkeeper rushed out.
Keen to regain a foothold in the game, Barnsley probed and went close when Vita surged into the box and forced Kyron Gordon to make an impressive block.
A trialist then stung the palms of Dewhurst before Barnsley were almost caught out by a floated cross, which Gordon headed over much to the relief of the Reds.
Although Martin Devaney’s men continued to commit numbers forward, they were up against a resolute defence that held strong.
They did, however, come agonisingly close to reducing the deficit when an excellent free-kick from Isaac Christie-Davies clipped the woodwork.
FULL-TIME: Barnsley 1-3 Sheffield United
REDS XI: Trialist (GK), Helliwell, Vita, Sraha (C), D Benson (Hassan-Smith, 68), Trialist, Thompson, Hondermarck, Cole (Bremang, 84), Christie-Davies, Kalinauskas (Trialist, 45).
