Barnsley 0 v Newcastle United 0 4-5-1 4-4-2 Barnsley Team 1. Danny Free (Yr2) 2. Martin Grndy (Yr2) 3. Liam Reffin (Yr1) 4. Connor Branson (Yr1) 5. Sean Reid (?) 6. Danny Fearnehough (Yr1) 7. Jack Watts (Yr2) 8. Tyrone Crapper (Yr1) 9. Jamil Adam (Yr2) 10. Jordan Hibbert (?) 11. Tom Mellor (Yr2) Subs 14. Steven Bennett for Mellor (60 min) 16. Michael Tieman for Reid (62 min) 12. Jack Briscoe for Adam (80 min) On a day when goggles and flippers would have been more appropriate attire, Newcastle started the game top of the North East section and on a run of 10 successive wins in all competitions. Barnsley recognised the class of the opposition in their team selection, picking 5 of the 6 2nd year students, and beginning with 5 players across midfield. Jack Watts was asked to play wide right in order to combat the Newcastle Right Back. Liam Reffin made only his second start. The first half soon settled into a pattern with a very good Newcastle side having the majority of the ball and Barnsley attacking in breakaways. It was immediately clear that the Newcastle full backs were not intending to do much defending as both Barnsley wingers assumed defensive roles, often deeper than the Reds full backs. Newcastle hit both posts in that first half and Free made at least 1 great save. However, the Reds were dangerous on the break and Crapper had 2 good attempts on goal from distance. The major talking point of the game came in the 26th minute. Fearnehough took a free kick from the left touchline and hit Branson, who had made a late run into the box in a move the Reds use a lot. Branson headed towards the far post, hoping for a touch from someone in a red shirt ahead of him. At least 1 of those in red was offside, but no-one got a touch. Nevertheless, they distracted the Newcastle keeper who took his eye off the ball which ran on into the net. Offside said the ref, who it has to be said, got most things right. The second half saw the reds drop deeper and Newcastle had an even larger share of the ball. Reid soon succumbed to an injury he picked up in the first half which neccessitated a reorganisation of the Reds defense to accomodate Tieman at right back. Mellor managed only his usual hour and finally Adam injured himself making a tackle. In spite of it all, the midfield kept working like trojans, the defense stood firm and keeper Free made at least 3 saves when I had called it a goal. In the end, two tired teams went off for a well earned hot bath after as good a 0-0 draw as I have seen. MotM In the first half, Jamil Adam had his best game of the season up front on his own, making the most of very little. The midfield trio of Fearnehough, Hibbert and Crapper worked themselves to a standstill but MotM for a very good first half and brilliant second half was goalkeeper Danny Free.
Pity first team cant hold out when its backs to the wall stuff. Good point. Keep them reports coming mate.
Newcastle humour. The Newcastle full back went to the ground right in front of the Newcastle bench having brought down the Barnsley player. As they both got to their feet the Newcastle player was hit in the face. He immediately complained to the ref but was told by the Newcastle bench that he desrved to be punched for letting the Barnsley lad get in front of him. Minutes later the full back took the ball into the right corner, brought the ball back onto his left foot in order to beat the covering defender, and crossed. The ball sailed harmlessly over everyone and out for a goal kick. As he pased the Newcastle bench on his way back to his defensive position the coach shouted "please tell me that was a shot". Nothing wrong with bringing good player back down to earth with a little humour. He certainly kept the sparse crowd amused on a horrible day.