Our U23s played out an entertaining 0-0 draw away at Hull City on Monday evening, with a penalty miss as well as strong shouts for others, coupled with hitting the framework twice somehow keeping the game scoreless.
The home side started brightly in the opening quarter of an hour with their best chance in this period coming from striker Josh Hinds, but his low shot was straight at Reds keeper Daniel Jinadu.
Barnsley started to get into the tie when midfielder Will Lancaster had an effort from range that was charged down and eventually cleared.
A huge penalty claim for the Reds came just after the half hour mark as Tigers keeper David Robson missed the ball and fouled Matty Wolfe from what looked to be in the box. Robson was shown a yellow card, but the referee only gave a free-kick on the edge, much to the dismay of the travelling players.
Our 23s continued to have the run of the green with Jordan Helliwell rifling a shot straight down the throat of Robson after being slipped in by Wolfe.
However, the home side were still dangerous in spells as Jinadu was called into action again, this time being forced to make a great save to palm away City captain Tom Nixon’s attempt.
Barnsley were awarded a penalty five minutes before the interval as Fabio Jalo was bundled down in the area after some lovely footwork on the right, which saw him get the better of the defender who shoved him in the back.
However, Matty Wolfe was unable to convert as he went for placement over power and Robson guessed right, holding onto the ball down to his left.
Aiden Marsh had the final chance of the half after being played in following a surging run from Will Hondermarck, but his shot flew well over the bar.
HALF TIME: Hull City 0-0 Barnsley
Similarly to the first half, Hull started fast in the second with a very good chance to get their opener as Louis Beckett found Harry Wood in space, but his first-time shot was pushed behind by Jinadu.
Jalo had his first big opportunity of the match, cutting inside from the right before his left footed curling shot hit the outside of the far post.
Barnsley did everything right, but just couldn’t get that all important goal and shortly before the hour mark a great team move started by a magnificent diagonal pass from Jasper Moon to Will Hondermarck, which raked from left to right. He in turn found Wolfe, who galloped to the by-line before hitting a low cross to Cameron Thompson, but the Reds forward was denied first by Robson and then Nixon.
City substitute Sincere Hall was then denied by the woodwork as his powerful strike cannoned off the post after Nixon had fired a low cross into the area.
With time ticking away, Reds substitute Keegan Hartley saw his effort sail wide after taking aim from outside the box.
The Tigers had the final chance to nick the win at the death after breaking on the counter-attack from a Barnsley corner, but Jinadu preserved his clean sheet with a fine save to deny Hinds and ensure we left Humberside with a share of the spoils.
FULL TIME: Hull City 0-0 Barnsley
Reds XI: Jinadu, Hondermarck, Helliwell, Ariely, Halme, Moon, Lancaster, Wolfe (Hassan-Smith), Thompson (Sherlock), Jalo, Marsh (Hartley).
Unused: Ravenhill, D. Benson.
