Recap

PSF4 – Frickley 1 Barnsley XI  0

Les Bleus continued their encouraging preseason preparations with a hard earned 1-0 victory over a youthful Barnsley XI. While clear cut opportunities were at a premium for much of the contest, the visitors tested the home defence on several occasions before The Blues’ resilience and decisive second half goal proved enough to settle matters.

The Azzurri fashioned the first opening after 6 minutes when Bailey Wright cut inside from the flank before driving a shot narrowly wide from the edge of the penalty area.

Barnsley responded 2 minutes later in controversial fashion as one of their forwards slapped the ball down with his hand – evoking memories of a certain famous Argentine – before dragging his eventual effort wide of the target anyway.

The Reds continued to enjoy spells of possession, but the Frickley defence remained well organised. Gadge threw himself in the way of a dangerous effort in the 12th minute before a spell of goalmouth activity 3 minutes later ended with a Barnsley wormburner that Allinson gathered comfortably.

At the other end, Les Bleus went close from a Wright corner in the 19th minute as Radz headed over the crossbar.

As the half wore on, Barnsley enjoyed their best spell. Allinson produced an outstanding point blank save just before the half hour mark to keep the scores level before the Azzurri keeper was again called into action 3 minutes before the interval, safely pouching a well worked move from the visitors to ensure the sides went into the break goalless. HT 0-0.

Soon after the restart, The Boys in Blue showed intent as Roberts curled a shot narrowly wide.

However, Barnsley continued to threaten, and equally Allinson continued to be The Azzurri’s hero. He reacted quickly to save at the feet of an advancing forward before producing another excellent stop 10 minutes later to deny a snapshot from around 12 yards.

A raft of substitutions followed as both managers spruced things up, including 9 pairs of fresh legs by Barnsley.

The disruption almost gave The Blues the opening they were looking for in the 72nd minute when Sheard fed Roberts, whose no look pass into the path of Willo just eluded the forward as he stretched to make contact.

The breakthrough finally arrived though 3 minutes later. Tyler Sheard’s corner caused chaos inside the 6 yard box and Jayden Roberts appeared to get the decisive touch with his head, assisted by the Barnsley keeper’s wayward punch. No matter, nobody in blue was complaining as the ball ended up in the Barnsley net and The Blues celebrated a priceless goal.

The Reds looked for an immediate response but could only send a long range drive inches over the bar with just over 10 minutes remaining.

The Azzurri almost wrapped things up in spectacular style in the 86th minute when Willo unleashed a fierce 20 yard volley that rattled the crossbar, while Gadge then rose highest from the resulting corner only to head over.

The visitors applied some late pressure, but The Boys in Blue defended resolutely to preserve the clean sheet and secure another positive preseason result. FT 1-0.

A disciplined defensive display, inspired goalkeeping from Allinson and a touch of fortune for the goal saw The Blues grind out a deserved win over our South Yorkshire neighbours. It was 10 years and 1 day since we last beat EFL opposition in preseason, coincidently another 1-0 triumph against Barnsley.

WEBMASTER MOTM – this is a tough one coz everyone was in top nick. Sheard, Radz, Gadge and Kilner were a Blue wall, Spence and Carmody were putting out fires all over, Cleggy, Andrew, Roberts and Willo defended from the front. And Bailey Wright bled for the cause, literally. But the Glitterball goes to Lloyd Allinson. The Ginger Neuer’s shot stopping was par excellence. Wunderbar, Lloydy!

279 through the gate. That was better than watching the World Cup semi on telly, we thank you all for making the right decision to support your local club!

To hear the thoughts of the gaffer, Martin Woolford, click here.

To see the photo gallery by Pixel Perfect Photography, click here.

The Blues are next in preseason action on Saturday 18th July when FC Farsley are our visitors for the final instalment of preseason at The Wezzie, 2pm kickoff. Please note the earlier ko time. Hope to see you all there….