[BFC SITE] Report | Reds seal derby double over Rotherham

The Reds completed a league double over Rotherham United on Saturday lunchtime after an Adam Phillips spot-kick paid divendends on derby day.

The Reds' first attack came from a long ball that found Adam Phillips in the box. Phillips thought he had been pulled down and claimed for a penalty, but the referee dismissed his shout, allowing the game to play on.

Jon Russell made a brilliant run down the centre of the pitch, playing it out to Neil Farrugia on the left flank, but his cross failed to find a Barnsley shirt. The Reds almost had a chance on goal after some great build-up play led to a cross from Corey O’Keeffe, but Dillon Phillips easily collected the ball.

The opening twenty minutes were quiet for both teams with barely any real chances created. Stephen Humphrys played a brilliant ball to Phillips who made a run into the box, but it was just too heavy to find the onrushing midfielder.

The home side thought they had the lead with one minute of the first half remaining. A ball was played across the box but Jordan Hugill at the back post failed to convert from point-blanc range to ensure the scores were level going in to the interval.

Half time: Rotherham 0-0 Reds

The Reds were under pressure in the opening five minutes of the second half, but in the 51st minute, Luca Connell played a cross-field ball to a lively Davis Keillor-Dunn who was first to the ball and subsequently brought down by the Millers’ keeper Phillips in the area and referee Oliver Yates blew for the spot.

Phillips stepped up and with no doubt, the number eight calmly slotted the ball into the bottom right corner to give Barnsley the lead.

Jon Russell had a chance to make it two in the 58th minute. Receiving the ball from Phillips, he turned to shoot but his shot was wide of the left post. There were huge claims for a handball and a second penalty for the Reds in the 63rd minute as Keillor-Dunn contested with Zac Jules, and the Millers defender looked to have handled in the area, but a second penalty was not given.

In hopes of keeping their lead, Barnsley made a double substitution, replacing Humphrys and Farrugia with Clément Rodrigues and former Rotherham loanee, Dexter Lembikisa. The Reds were forced into a third substitution, this time coming between the sticks, as in the 75th minute Joe Gauci could no longer continue due to injury. Jackson Smith was introduced, making his competitive debut for the Club.

Marc Roberts made a superb run from defence, linking up with Keillor-Dunn, but he was fouled and won a free kick in their attacking half. Urged to shoot by the sold-out away end at the New York Stadium, Phillips answered the Reds' fans call, unleashing a powerful strike which forced a smart stop late on to deny a second. After a solid performance from Phillips, the Reds midfielder was replaced by Josh Benson.

The referee indicated an additional ten minutes at the end of the game, however Barnsley dug deep and claimed all three points on the day which marked 5000 league games for the Reds.

Full time: Rotherham 0-1 Reds

Barnsley FC: Gauci (Smith, 75’), Russell, Roberts, de Gevigney, O’Keeffe, Phillips (Benson, 87’), Farrugia (Lembikisa, 63’), Earl, Keillor-Dunn, Humphrys (Rodrigues, 63’), Connell ©

Subs unused: Lewis, McCarthy, Nwakali

Fixtures

• Rotherham United Vs. Barnsley - Sat, Feb 22 2025, 12:30

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