Reds come back to defeat Blades in final friendly thanks to Benson’s brilliant late free-kick
Barnsley 2, Sheffield United 1
WITH just one week to go until Barnsley’s opening game of the season, Michael Duff’s side won their final pre-season friendly against local rivals Sheffield United thanks to an excellent free-kick by Josh Benson.
If you had asked both sets of fans which league they’d currently be in at the start of last season, very few would have given you the correct answer.
Barnsley fans would have been certain the Reds would have at least stayed in the Championship, while the Blades most certainly had their eyes on promotion back to the Premier League.
But it doesn’t always turn out like that – and both clubs will now look to get promoted from their own leagues this season.
It was a steady game for the Reds, who didn’t have much of the ball but worked well off it to limit the Blades to half chances.
It took until the stroke of half-time for the away side to take the lead, with Robbie Cundy bundling the ball into his own net past Collins.
Barnsley’s leveller was fortunate, as Wes Foderingham’s kick upfield bounced off his own player before landing at the feet of Jack Aitchison.
The Scot still had plenty to do though – and he managed to fire it in through a crowd of bodies to grab his first Barnsley goal, albeit not a competitive strike.
It wasn’t until the 81st minute the Reds found the winner, and it was a goal that was good enough to win any game -– never mind a pre-season friendly. Benson fired in a fantastic free-kick from around 25 yards out – similar to that of
Conor Hourihane against Leeds United more than five years ago. After a really tough first season at Oakwell, fans will be hoping it’s a catalyst to re-ignite his Barnsley career.
Striker problems still there
Despite Barnsley tweaking their model and signing 31-year-old James Norwood up front, there’s still a clear lack of depth in perhaps the most important position on the pitch.
Fans have been told they may have to wait a few weeks to see the best of the former Ipswich and Tranmere man, meaning the Reds are likely to start the season with Devante Cole and Jack Aitchison up top.
Admittedly, both players have grabbed a goal or two in pre-season – but comparing it to the firepower the club were heading into League One with last time out, it’s certainly going to be a worry.
Aaron Leya Iseka and Aiden Marsh are also likely to be tested at some point – but neither have had any experience in this league.
Michael Duff has been open about the issue and admits it is an area in which they will need to strengthen.
But it is unlikely anyone will be signed by tomorrow’s game against Plymouth and, even if they are, it would be a shock to see them thrown into the first team fold at such short notice. Different to last Blades derby The last time Sheffield United travelled to Barnsley they raced into a 3-0 lead and home fans began to turn on then manager Markus Schopp.
The mood around the club was as negative as it’s ever been, with fans threatening to boycott games and host protests on matchdays. The Reds did pull two goals back that day – with Cole and Iseka getting on the scoresheet – but the players looked distraught.
Cole suggested their late but ultimately unsuccessful fight-back was nothing to do with the manager, instead from their own work.
Less than 12 months on, it couldn’t be any more different.
Michael Duff looks to have demanded the respect of the Barnsley players and they’re clearly playing to his system. They look energised but most importantly structured. The attacking side of the game will likely come as they play more games together, but they looked like a team.
Midfield battle hotting up
Midfielders Josh Benson and Luca Connell impressed the Oakwell faithful.
Although they didn’t have as much of the ball as they’d have liked – and will probably have throughout the season – their work off the ball was impressive.
Connell, the former Bolton and Celtic midfielder, has been one of Barnsley’s better players in pre-season and has managed to get fans off their feet with his crunching tackles.
He’s the kind of player the Reds have been lacking since Alex Mowatt left and, although he’ll have big shoes to fill, he looks capable.
Benson struggled for much of last season, perhaps due to Covid-19 and injury, but there were occasions in which he looked to lack 100 per cent effort.
The arrival of his former manager at Burnley under 23s, Michael Duff, looks to have reinvigorated his hunger to get into the starting 11.
His free-kick winner was excellent, and it wasn’t his only set-piece that tested the Sheffield United ‘keeper.
It’s that dead ball expertise that could land Benson a starting position week in, week out.
Will Hondermarck, Matty Wolfe and Herbie Kane, after his injury, will also be looking to break into the team, as will youngster Joe Ackroyd.
No Brittain but Jordan excels
The departure of Callum Brittain to Blackburn for a reported £1.5m may have delighted some fans if he’d have gone straight after relegation, but his performances in pre-season had been excellent.
It looked like he was re-gaining his confidence, or perhaps putting himself in the shop window.
Right wing-back is definitely a position the Reds will want to strengthen in but Jordan Williams, who could also play on the right of a back three, is a more than ready replacement – often out-playing Brittain last season
He’s strong defensively but can also go on exciting runs up the field and, if he stays fit, he could be one of the team’s strongest players.
Barnsley defensively sound
All the way through pre-season, Barnsley’s first team have looked solid at the back – and it was no different on Saturday.
Captain Andersen, Liam Kitching and new signing Robbie Cundy made up the back three – but there are plenty of defenders who will want to make a claim for their spot.
Ex-centre back Michael Duff will be able to offer his help and expertise to last season’s troubled defence, but he’ll also be able to nurture the younger players at the club.
The first team have only conceded twice all pre-season – a penalty against Worksop in the first game and then an own goal against the Blades on Saturday (the team against Harrogate last week was made up mainly of youngsters).
If they can keep the goals out, they may not even need to be scoring tons of goals at the other end.
Oakwell goodbye for duo?
Saturday could be the last time Barnsley fans see Michal Helik and Callum Styles in a Reds shirt.
It’s no secret they’re two of the most valuable assets at the club and they’ll both be wanting to move on to help with their international aspirations. Both players have been great servants to the club and should be adored by fans, even when they leave.
But with the exit door looming, whoever comes into replace them will have huge shoes to fill.
LINE-UP
Barnsley (3-5-2): Collins; Andersen, Cundy (Helik, 70mins), Kitching; Williams (McCarthy, HT), Benson, Connell, Styles, Cadden (Wolfe, 63); Aitchison (Marsh, 70), Cole (Norwood, 63).
Unused: Walton, Helliwell, Hondermarck,
Thomas.
Goals: Aitchison 58, Benson 81.