Our young Reds were beaten 2-1 by Como U19s in the final game of their training camp in Italy.
Leo Farrell’s second half stunner was cancelled out by two goals in quick succession for the hosts late on.
Following our match in a blazing Brescia on Friday afternoon, our U18s came into the clash with Como knowing it was their last outing in Italy ahead of an important Professional Development League clash against Ipswich on Saturday.
The Reds started brightly in the match, competing well against older opponents once again on this trip.
Danny Benson had the ball in the back of the net after five minutes, when his side-footed effort beat the Como ‘keeper, but the referee blew his whistle for an alleged foul in the area.
Barnsley were the team applying the pressure in the first half, but we couldn’t create a clear-cut chance in order to score.
Theo Chapman came close just before the interval, with his 25-yard strike stinging the goalkeeper’s gloves and forcing a smart stop.
HALF-TIME: Como 0-0 Barnsley
The Reds began the second half as they finished the first, controlling possession and dictating the speed of play. However, likewise to the first half, an elusive opener couldn’t be found from our young Reds.
Finally, our pressure paid off in the 78th minute. Farrell was the first to make contact with the ball following a corner from the left, latched onto his own looping header and produced a wonderful volley into the far corner.
Despite this breakthrough, the Reds were pegged back quickly by the hosts. The Como attacker cut inside and struck a powerful effort into the top corner with just under ten minutes to play.
Como found a winner in the 85th minute. A misplaced pass was latched onto by the Como striker, and he slotted home from close range.
Our U18s couldn’t find that all important equaliser before the full-time whistle, which would have been just reward for an impressive performance in our final game in Italy.
FULL-TIME: Como 2-1 Barnsley
REDS XI: Flavell (GK), D. Benson, Hickingbottom, Joof, Lacey, Anaman, Nejman (C), Makiessi, Jalo, Chapman, Dyer.
Subs: Ravenhill (GK), McKay, Murchison, Bland, Monteiro, Hyde, Benjamin, Farrell.
