Our young Reds played out a thrilling 2-1 win at home to struggling Peterborough United with goals from Fabio Jalo and Danny Benson enough for the three points.
The visitors started the game strongest in the opening quarter of an hour, with United striker Lewis Darlington having his attempt blocked before captain Roddy McGlinchey was unable to get his off balance shot towards Kieren Flavell’s net.
Barnsley gradually began to get into the tie with their first chance coming from a direct free-kick which Ben Hall flashed wide. Moments later, Jalo fired a right footed shot wide after lovely play from Keegan Hartley.
The Reds took the lead through Jalo, who cut in from the right and curled a superb effort beyond the goalkeeper that went in off the post.
With this lead Barnsley kept pushing for a second, and Charlie Hickingbottom had a crack from range but the ball sailed over the bar.
The Reds’ pressure continued to mount, and it meant that Peterborough didn’t have an opportunity to breathe, forcing them to make mistakes which led to more chances for the home side – including a Harrison Nejman shot from distance.
However, the visitors were still dangerous with the final chance of the half falling to William Van Lier, who saw his direct free-kick clatter the crossbar from the edge of the box.
HALF-TIME: Barnsley 1-0 Peterborough United
Posh began the second half brightly and Van Lier tried his luck with another set-piece, but his attempt could only crash into a sturdy Reds wall.
Barnsley’s strong pressing continued in the second 45 with Hartley striking from the edge of the box after dispossessing a Peterborough player, but his effort was comfortably gathered by the United stopper.
Peterborough managed to get an equaliser midway through the second half with Darlington finding space in the box to angle a shot into the top corner.
The young Reds were back in front less than two minutes later after a Ben Hall free-kick found the head of Nejman who rose highest and rattled the crossbar with a towering header, but Benson was quickest to react to put the ball in from close range.
Barnsley were unlucky not to get a third as the hardworking Hartley found Jalo with a clever pass after a brilliant run to get ahead of the United players. Jalo, one on one with the keeper, was unable to convert after his cheeky chip had too much power and flew over the bar.
Another great chance for a third came again, this time falling to substitute Lloyd Smith, with Hartley playing a low cross along the box for the unmarked striker, but his shot could only hit the outside of the post.
It was the perfect response from Tom Harban’s side, who got back to winning ways in the Professional Development League.
FULL-TIME: Barnsley 2-1 Peterborough United
Reds XI: Flavell (GK), Hall, Pickard, D Benson, Trialist (Smith), Trialist (Goucher), Nejman, Hickingbottom, Jalo, Hartley, Chapman.
Not used: Ravenhill, Lacey, Monteiro.
