The Reds continued their winning start to pre-season with a 3-0 victory over Accrington Stanley at the Wham Stadium. The match, which was played for Sean McConville's testimonial, saw the Reds gain more valuable minutes in preparations for the 24/25 campaign, which kicks off in just under three weeks' time. The Reds dominated the early stages, Barry Cotter being a particularly bright spark down the right. Josh Earl almost found the bottom corner with a glanced header from a Marc Roberts delivery on the left in the 19th minute, keeping the Reds knocking at the door for an opener in the humid Lancashire air. Conor Hourihane was back in the middle of a park in a Barnsley shirt for the first time since 2017, and it was his quick-thinking from a free-kick which set away Josh Benson deep in his own half. The returning Benson strode 40 yards with the ball and let fly, the shot arrowing just wide of the post. Vimal Yoganathan was introduced with just less than ten minutes to play in the first half for the aforementioned Benson, with the Reds taking the lead shortly after. Hourihane stood over a corner and delivered an outswinging ball which was met with conviction by Phillips' head, looping into the bottom left corner of the goal and leaving 'keeper Michael Kelly rooted to the spot. Half time: Accrington Stanley 0-1 Reds Play was even after the restart, both sides battling for control of possession for a sustained period. A plethora of changes for both sides midway through the did little to help the flow of proceedings, the hosts making seven changes and the Reds swapping four out. Hourihane, Watters, Cotter and Roberts made way for Aiden Marsh, Kyran Lofthouse, Conor McCarthy and Jonathan Bland. Two substitutes linked up well to double our advantage with 20 minutes to play, with Bland flashing across the front for Marsh who on the slide converted in front of the travelling Barnsley supporters. Darrell Clarke turned to his bench shortly after, with Fabio Jalo and a trialist replacing Sam Cosgrove and Adam Phillips. A familiar source provided the third goal for the Reds just before the whistle, an inswinging corner this time provided by Corey O'Keeffe was met by Earl for his second goal in as many games in pre-season. Ross Joyce called time on the game and signalled back-to-back wins for the Reds on the road at the start of pre-season. Full time: Accrington Stanley 0-3 Reds Continue reading...
'The returning Benson strode 40 yards with the ball and let fly' His legs must have grown since last time we saw him in action
