Friendly game spoiled by an inadequate referee...

A better performance by the Reds, not by much, but better.

Barnsley should've been in front inside 2 minutes. Ian Hume did well out on the left to beat his man, before whipping in a devilish cross that found JCR unmarked 6 yards out; his diving header was on target but met the gloves of the tall Chinese keeper.

It was one way traffic for the first 30 minutes. Barnsley raining shots and crosses in towards the Chengdu goal, but the men from China defended courageously - throwing everything in front of the ball; and when Barnsley did finally breach the defence, they met the goliath like keeper or simply missed the target - with Jon Macken and Martin Devaney going close on several occasions for the Reds.

Chengdu worked themselves back into the game, and caused a few minor problems just before the break; with Li Tie orchestrating things, only for the Reds rearguard and Luke Steele to soak things up.

The Chengdu Brazilian striker did break through on one occasion, only for Darren Moore to somehow recover the ground, and make a briliant challenge to knock the ball out for a corner.

Barnsley finally took the lead on the stroke of half time. A corner by El-Haimour was knocked down to the feet of Dennis Souza, who calmly slotted the ball in from 8 yards out, to the delight and relief of the 2,000 in attendance.

The second half started pretty much the same as the first; Barnsley piling forward, but again meeting the back line of Chengdu, which at times gave the impression of the 'Great Wall'. Time after time, Devaneys crosses sailed into the arms of the big Chinese keeper and time after time Van Homoets crosses simply flew into the Ponty end.

But finally, midway through the second half, Barnsley had their second.

A cross by Devaney once again sailed into the grateful arms of the keeper, but all eyes were on Ian Hume, as he was piled to the floor by the Jamaican centre back. The decision looked soft, but a penalty was given as well as half a dozen yellow cards by a referee that by this time had lost control of the game (whether he really had control from the off was debatable).

Jon Macken stepped up and calmly slotted the ball past the keeper, making it 2-0 to the Reds.

Things went scrappy after this (more scrappier than they had been). Every 30 seconds the referee was blowing his whistle and dishing out yellow cards for pure fun (I counted at least 10). And predictably a Chengdu player was to walk for a reckless challenge on Devaney; It was a yellow card, but at the end of the day - it WAS only a friendly.

Chengdu (who had managed 2 shots in the entire match, were now down to 10 men).

Nothing much really happened after this. Mostto and Odejayi came on for Macken and Hume and straight away got into the thick of things; Odejayi seeing his far post header saved by the keeper.

With minutes to go, Odejayi surged forward only to be hacked down 20 yards out and once again, a Red card was shown to Li Tie and Chengdu were down to 9 men. Dissapointing end to things really.

That was pretty much the last of the 'action'. With the reds running out comfortable 2-0 winners.

A good run out for the Reds, but the real test will come next Saturday at QPR. A good week of training is needed to shed the last of the rustiness, and prepare for a hard season ahead.

I'm still not sure about the back four. Van Homoet is really poor at crossing once forward, he is not a left back. And Moore and Souza (like I said) are very strong in the air, but not so on the ground - so that needs some sorting.

Fingers crossed for the season ahead.

COME ON YOU REDS!!!

Man of the match: Campbell-Ryce

 

agreed

 

The ref wants sacking

I lost track of the bookings but in a friendly i'm sorry but a ref should NOT be acting like he was. He was like a spoilt brat wanting to be centre of attention.

 

do they count in the league then???

am thick me

 

Give you this, your not a bad summariser, good report that lad....

 

only bans carry on to league ie a red

 

Cheers mate

(Y)

 

If it is a first team friendly

then yes I believe they count, if it is recorded as a reserve friendly then no they dont. Not sure why they don't log all friendlies as reserves though if thats the case. And no idea whether chengdu's will count when they get back home.

 

that referee was ***** when we had him last season

 

Pretty sure it was Stuart Attwell...

...promoted to the League last season, aged 24, and has just - believe it or not - been promoted to the Prem!!</p>

We had his first Championship game last season and he was way out of his depth.</p>

Today was just ridiculous. I don't think I've seen as many yellows in all the friendlies I've ever seen - and I don't think I've ever seen anyone sent off before.
</p>

 

Aye Tha Obviously Didn't Have A Gallon Before Hand nt

 

How did you get JCR as MOM?

Devaney was far and away the best player on the Park, even the grumpy gits sitting behind me in the Ponty agreed on that one.