PLAYER RATINGS
BRAD COLLINS, mark out of ten: 8
After being a spectator in the first half, the goalkeeper twice rushed off his line to deny Lee Gregory who could not bring clever lofted passes fully under his control. He also sprang to his left to save from ex-Red Michael Smith’s header then missed the resulting corner but Michael Ihiekwe headed wide
ROBBIE CUNDY, 9
An outstanding performance by the centre-back who was dominant in the air but also proactive with a series of perfectly-timed interceptions which ended Wednesday attacks and sometimes started them for the Reds. It was best performance so far by far.
MADS ANDERSEN, 9
In the aftermath of the five first team departures this summer, it should not be overlooked that the Danish defender is still at Barnsley and playing in a division he looks too good for.
He made five interceptions and 12 clearances in another excellent performance, as he was on the end of countless Wednesday attempted crosses and passes.
CONOR MCCARTHY, 8
Like his fellow centre-back summer signing Cundy, this was the Irishman’s best performance for the Reds so far. He contributed to a fine defensive effort and got forward regularly on the left wing to try to take the game to the Owls.
JORDAN WILLIAMS, 7
Centre-backs Cundy and McCarthy had come in for the injured Jordan Helliwell and loaned-out Callum Styles. That meant
Williams and Liam Kitching moved from the back three to wingbacks. Williams, the right wing-back, struggled at first with the bigger and stronger Marvin Johnson. But, once Barnsley got control of the game, he was barely troubled and also confidently surged forward with some brilliant runs out of defence.
JOSH BENSON, 6
For the second week in a row, the midfielder limped off with a hamstring problem before half-time. He felt as though one more sprint could lead to a serious injury.
LUCA CONNELL, 9
The set piece specialist registered a third assist in two games with a fine corner for the second goal and could have had another. He was also an energetic, dominant presence in the middle – often sweeping up loose balls.
LIAM KITCHING, 7
Out of position as a centre-back at left wing-back because
Barnsley gave Nicky Cadden another week to get fully fit, Kitching provided a solid performance in a good start to the season for him overall. He acted like a fourth centre-back at times when Barnsley were penned back in the second half, having got forward well early on. He almost got his first Reds goal when he curled wide on the left of the box after an excellent run and pass by Jack Aitchison.
LUKE THOMAS, 8
The attacking midfielder led the press magnificently with an effervescent performance which saw him pop up across the pitch every few minutes to rob the hosts of the ball or intercept a pass.
It followed several quiet games, and was days after being provided with more competition with the arrival of Josh Martin.
Thomas – who has blocked the most passes in the division this season – hit the crossbar after sliding to cut out a poor kick by goalkeeper David Stockdale. His end product still sometimes lets him down, and he could not find the right final pass at times, but he was an absolute nuisance for the Owls.
DEVANTE COLE, 8
The striker made it two goals from three shots on target this season with a cool finish for the opener, and was unplayable at times for the home defence. He held the ball up, played clever passes with quick thinking and forced the rattled defenders into errors with tireless running.
He joined Dominik Frieser in 2020, Jamal Campbell-Ryce in 2009, Ronnie Glavin in 1983, Glyn Riley in 1979, George Robledo in 1946 and Beaumont Asquith in 1938 in scoring a winner for Barnsley at Hillsborough.
He could have netted earlier as he took the ball off Stockdale at 0-0 but the stopper got back on his line to save the shot from the left wing, then later Cole shot wide from outside the box.
JACK AITCHISON, 7
The Scottish forward combined with Thomas and Cole in a front three who put in a huge effort, pressing intelligently and relentlessly without the ball then using it well when they had it. Aitchison saw a shot cleared off the line at 1-0.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
Matty Wolfe replaced Benson and produced his best performance of the season – battling hard for the ball and surging the team forward with good runs. He should have won a penalty at 1-0 when clearly tripped by Gregory.
It was a good time for the midfielder to play well with the signing of Adam Phillips and return from injury of Herbie Kane potentially knocking him down the pecking order.
There was a triple change on 74 minutes with James Norwood
– who scored seconds later – Slobodan Tedic and debutant Josh Martin replacing the starting front three.
Norwood’s header was marvellous and a special moment for the striker who was rightly criticised in midweek for his reckless red card after being brought in for experience and professionalism as well as goals. Duff said the goal was the best possible apology.
It could be a turning point in a Reds career which got off to a poor start.
Norwood should have scored a second when being put clean through by Connell but was denied by the goalkeeper.
Martin had some good touches, driving the Reds up the pitch late on.
0-1 After Luca Connell heads forward, Marvin Johnson gifts Devante Cole the ball with a poor touch in his half.
Cole immediately finds Luke Thomas then makes an intelligent curved run down the right of the box and, when Thomas’ pass deflects off both Johnson and the sliding Michael Ihiekwe, it rolls perfectly for him to shoot across the goalkeeper and in from about eight yards out on the right.
0-2 James Norwood is brought on, jogs into the home penalty area then sprints around the back of a group of players on a clever curved run to meet Connell’s fine left-wing corner. The striker – not banned despite his cup red card on Tuesday because suspensions are competition specific – heads into the top left corner from about seven yards out for his first Reds goal.