Barnsley got off the mark in the Papa John’s Trophy with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United U21s at Oakwell on Tuesday evening.
Second half strikes from Jack Butterfill – on his professional debut – and Ziyad Larkeche – making his first appearance since signing on loan from Fulham – were enough for the Reds to claim all three points in this Group E clash.
In a cagey opening exchange, chances were limited for either side as the visitors’ Dylan Stephenson bent wicked strike over the bar and Fabio Jalo headed wide from a Nicky Cadden cross.
Eight minutes before half-time, the Reds came close to scoring twice in a matter of moments when Slobodan Tedić forced Magpies stopper Jude Smith into a fine save down to his right. From the resulting corner, Joe Ackroyd’s diving header clipped the crossbar as we searched for a breakthrough.
Barnsley continued to probe, and another excellent piece of goalkeeping from Smith thwarted Tedić from point blank range after the Serbian was picked out by Larkeche.
HALF-TIME: Barnsley 0-0 Newcastle United U21s
Just after the break, we had another opportunity to go ahead as Josh Martin latched onto a through ball but once again found Smith in the way as the Newcastle ‘keeper produced a good block.
Moments later, Will Hondermarck’s cross from the right was met by an onrushing Ackroyd, who steered his header over the bar.
It was all Barnsley, and Smith was called into action once more when Larkeche’s deep cross was met on the volley by Hondermarck, while Ackroyd flashed another header narrowly over shortly after.
The deadlock was finally broken when substitute Butterfill – only just on the pitch – reacted quickest to a loose ball and lashed confidently into the back of the net from close range.
A few minutes later, Larkeche sealed victory with a stunning free-kick from 25-yards that flew into the far top corner. A moment of magic and Goal of the Month contender from the Frenchman.
It put the gloss on a fine performance from the Reds, who travel to Doncaster Rovers next month knowing a positive result will secure safe passage to the knockout phase.
FULL-TIME: Barnsley 2-0 Newcastle United U21s
REDS XI: Searle (GK), Hondermarck, McCarthy, Moon, Cadden (C) (Lancaster, 46), Larkeche (Pickard, 89), Phillips (Nejman, 46), Ackroyd, Jalo (Butterfill, 70), Tedić, Martin (Hartley, 75).
Not used: Cooper (GK), D Benson.
NEWCASTLE XI: Smith (GK), Brookwell (C), Carlyon, White, Wiggett, Bondswell, Scott, Stephenson, Crossley, Turner-Cooke, Stanton.
Subs: Brown (GK), Ferguson, Barclay, Hackett, Parkinson, Thompson, Bailey.
