A Josiah Dyer brace and goals from Rafael Monteiro, Fabio Jalo and Leo Farrell saw our U18s claim an emphatic 5-2 victory over Queens Park Rangers at the Oakwell Training Ground on Saturday afternoon.
With the score level at the interval, our young Reds enjoyed a rampant second half where they showcased their attacking prowess, scored four goals and claimed all three points in terrific style.
Following an impeccably observed minutes silence, proceedings took a lively start with the young Reds looking to cause problems early on. Jalo played a high cross into the box but to no avail as the ball sailed out for a goal kick.
Soon after, he played another ball – this time to Monteiro – who skipped past the keeper, before adjusting his feet and firing hard into the bottom corner inside two minutes.
Our visitors began to dominate after the early opener but were struggling to create anything of notable value as the young Reds dealt brilliantly with the very few chances QPR were being presented with.
Midway through the first half, our visitors pulled level through Kieran Petrie, who curled a powerful strike past Reds keeper Rogan Ravenhill from 12 yards.
It was an equaliser that the Hoops’ play merited, and both sides had chances to go ahead before the break, with Barnsley coming closest through Theo Chapman and Hayden Pickard.
HALF-TIME: Barnsley 1-1 Queens Park Rangers
Following another lively opening exchange, the Reds struck first after the restart when Jalo connected beautifully with Pickard’s cross to nod the ball beyond the stranded Rangers keeper.
This was only the beginning of Barnsley’s rampant second half display, as Dyer scored just 10 minutes later to give his side a two-goal cushion.
In the blink of an eye, our number nine doubled his tally when he was presented with the simplest of tasks of tapping the ball home from close range after excellent work from Pickard and fellow wing-back Josh McKay.
Midway through the half, our visitors grabbed a second to give themselves a fighting chance of getting back into game as Teddy Lawrence scored with an effort from range.
Shortly after, Rangers were awarded a penalty but were denied by a fine Ravenhill save as we maintained our foothold in the game.
The Reds had momentum now and went in search of the killer goal, and Dyer came agonisingly close to sealing his hat-trick when he rattled the crossbar.
However, the points were safe in the closing stages as substitute Leo Farrell netted his first goal of the campaign with a well-taken finish to round off a magnificent win for Nicky Eaden’s young side.
FULL-TIME: Barnsley 5-2 Queens Park Rangers
REDS XI: Ravenhill (GK), McKay, Pickard, Bland, Trialist, Trialist, Monteiro, Makiessi, Dyer (C), Chapman, Jalo.
Subs: Carter-Rodgers (GK), Farrell, Yoganathan, Anaman, Brace.
