Loan star Ashley a quickfire winner
MOVE over Marcus Rashford — there is another young Manchester United striker vying for new boss Jose Mourinho’s attention.
Ashley Fletcher, on loan at Barnsley, scored after 89 seconds to set his adopted club on their way to a League One play- off final victory against Millwall.
Rashford is on the verge of a place in Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2016 squad after becoming the youngest player to score on his England debut three days ago, but United have another academy product who is not shy of the big occasion.
‘If he hadn’t been on loan with us, I don’t know the pecking order at United but he might’ve been the next in line, it could’ve been him making his debut instead of Rashford,’ Barnsley caretaker manager Paul Heckingbottom said. ‘Now he’s behind him, but they must be impressed with what they’ve seen.
‘He’s been terrific. When Fletch came in he was having a good impact from the bench. He was still playing 21s football, now he’s playing like a man.’
Adam Hammill added a stunning second and, after Mark Beevers pulled one back, Lloyd Isgrove sealed Barnsley’s promotion to the Championship with a late third, but 20-year- old Fletcher left the field to a standing ovation and has provided Mourinho, his new manager, with plenty to consider.
Fletcher — who moved on loan in January a month before Rashford made his United debut — scored in Barnsley’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final win against Oxford United last month and followed that up with his second Wembley final goal in two months.
Sam Winnall won a header from a hopeful pass up the pitch and while Fletcher was fortunate to come away with the ball after a challenge by Carlos Edwards he used his pace and skill to beat Beevers before finishing into the left of goal.
After Fletcher’s opener, Hammill scored a second in spectacular fashion on 19 minutes. The winger picked up the ball out on the left, dribbled 25 yards towards goal and cut inside before bending a shot into the top-right corner from 25 yards out.
Millwall responded before the break when Shane Ferguson swung in a corner which found its way to Tony Craig. He messed up a shot only for it to roll to Beevers, who held off Marc Roberts and stuck the ball in from close range. But with 15 minutes remaining, Barnsley sealed promotion.
At 5ft 10in, Isgrove was probably the smallest player on the pitch, but he managed to leap in front of Archer to nod in captain Conor Hourihane’s corner.
It spoke volumes that every Barnsley supporter rose to their feet when Fletcher was substituted in the final 10 minutes and a few team-mates gave hugs and handshakes before he left the field. This is probably the last they will see of him, but it is unlikely to be the last time we see him at Wembley. BARNSLEY (4-4-2): Davies 6.5; Scowen 6.5, Roberts 7, Mawson 6.5, Williams 6.5; Isgrove 7.5 (Watkins 85), Hourihane 7, Brownhill 7, Hammill 7.5; Fletcher 8 (Toney 81), Winnall 7. Subs not used: Townsend, Nyatanga, Chapman, McCourt, White. Manager: Paul Heckingbottom 7.5. Scorers: Fletcher 2, Hammill 19, Isgrove 74. Booked: Williams, Roberts MILLWALL (4-4-2): Archer 6; Edwards 6 (Williams 82), Craig 6, Beevers 7, Martin 6 (O’Brien 43 6); Taylor 6, Thompson 6 (Onyedinma 76), Abdou 6, Ferguson 6; Gregory 6, Morison 6. Subs not used: Forde, Philpot, Nelson, Upson. Manager: Neil Harris 5. Scorer: Beevers 34. Man of the match: Ashley Fletcher. Referee: Stuart Attwell 7. Attendance: 51,277.