[BFC SITE] LEWIS STRIKES LATE TO EARN REDS A POINT AT OAKWELL

Fixtures

• Barnsley Vs. Cambridge United - Sat, Mar 22 2025, 15:00

Barnsley battled to claim a point against Cambridge United, as Jonathan Lewis netted a stoppage-time equaliser on a testing afternoon at Oakwell.


It was the visitors who struck first in South Yorkshire, capitalising on a moment of misfortune from the Reds in the early stages. On nine minutes, Cambridge turned over possession and James Brophy took full advantage, finishing past Kieren Flavell to give the away side the lead.

The Reds responded with some bright passages of play, and just five minutes later, a well-worked move around the edge of the Cambridge box carved out an opening for Max Watters. The forward found space inside the area but was unable to steer his effort inside the far post.

There was an early blow for Barnsley midway through the first half when Josh Benson was forced off through injury, replaced by Jonathan Bland in the 20th minute.

Despite the setback, the Reds continued to push forward. A promising chance came shortly before the break as Watters cushioned a header into the path of Davis Keillor-Dunn, who struck narrowly wide of the post.

Barnsley headed down the tunnel at half-time trailing by a single goal.

Half-time: Reds 0-1 Cambridge United

On the hour mark, a lofted ball found Watters, who cleverly nodded down for Adam Phillips. The midfielder struck cleanly with his left foot, but his effort drifted wide of the target.

Shortly after, Interim Head Coach Conor Hourihane made a triple change in search of added impetus. Donovan Pines, Luca Connell and Watters were replaced by Stephen Humphrys, Fabio Jalo and Jon Russell. Jalo was lively from the off, making an instant impact on the right flank and firing an effort over the bar on 66 minutes—a positive sign on his return to the side.

Just moments later, Barnsley had strong appeals for a penalty waved away when Jalo’s cross appeared to strike the arm of a Cambridge defender, but the referee was unmoved despite vocal appeals from the stands.

Bland continued to impress following his introduction, and on 75 minutes, he drove forward purposefully before picking out Corey O’Keeffe, who in turn teed up Kelechi Nwakali. The midfielder struck from distance, but his effort was well saved by the Cambridge goalkeeper.

Jon Lewis was introduced in the 77th minute, replacing Adam Phillips as the Reds looked to turn pressure into goals. At the other end, Kieren Flavell had to be alert, saving well at his near post from Cambridge’s Kachunga to keep Barnsley in the contest.

The Reds continued to press in the closing stages. Keillor-Dunn came agonisingly close to an equaliser with a thunderous strike from distance that rattled the crossbar on 90 minutes.

But the breakthrough finally arrived deep into stoppage time. A superb delivery to the back post was met by Lewis, who bundled the ball over the line to score his first goal in Barnsley colours and secure a hard-earned point at Oakwell.

Full-time: Barnsley 1-1 Cambridge United

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