A tough trip to the coast for the out-of-form Reds this afternoon.
The Reds lost out in their first ever league meeting between the sides on the Lancashire coast on Saturday.
A Kieran Phillips goal was enough to separate the two sides on a difficult afternoon for Michael Duff’s side.
It had initially been a bright start from the Reds, controlling the tempo of the affair and getting in behind on a couple of occasions early on.
Josh Martin broke away on the right after a lovely passing move from the Reds and delivered a pacy aerial ball into the area. No-one in the middle managed to connect with the cross, falling to Nicky Cadden at the back stick. The Scotsman drilled a wicked effort goalward on the half-volley, but Connor Ripley was equal to it.
The hosts had their first real sight of goal in the 26th minute. A long throw on the right by Ryan Cooney was flicked on at the near post, finding Cole Stockton inside the box who blazed over the bar.
The Reds responded by coming close themselves, Josh Martin firing wide from the edge of the area. The Norwich-loanee was presented with the ball after a nice passing move in the final third of the pitch; but it came to no avail as the effort rolled past the post.
Our hosts found the elusive opener in the 39th minute. Cooney provided the long throw once again, sending the ball sailing into the area. The Reds defence did not clear their lines, allowing Phillips to pounce and turn home inside the six-yard box.
HALF-TIME: Morecambe 1-0 Barnsley
Herbie Kane was introduced at the break as the gaffer's first roll of the dice in terms of subs. The central midfielder was involved early on, rolling a ball sideways for Josh Benson to strike, narrowly evading the left post of Ripley.
The onus was on the Reds to search for an equaliser, a responsibility they grew into as the half progressed. More of the play was being enjoyed in the Morecambe half, but Duff’s men couldn’t create a clear-cut chance.
Often fooled into playing the opponents' brand of football, the Reds were dragged into a scrap and came off second best.
Lacking guile, it fell to Benson to try his luck from range once more and a 30-yarder had Ripley reaching into his top corner to claw away the goal-bound strike. It was as close as we'd come.
Despite further fresh faces being introduced, including a league debut for teenage striker Fabio Jalo, Barnsley barely laid an offensive glove on their opponents after those changes, and if anything, Morecambe looked more likely to add to the scoreline.
FULL-TIME: Morecambe 1-0 Barnsley
Collins, Edwards, Kitching, Andersen, Cadden, Benson, Martin (Jalo), Cundy (Larkeche), Phillips (Aitchison), Cole, Connell (Kane).
Unused: Walton, Moon, Tedic.
