United’s reserves travelled to South Yorkshire this evening to take on League 1 club, Barnsley. A Josh Harrop brace led to team to a 2-1 victory at Oakwell.
Starting XI: J.Pereira; Vermijl, McNair, Thorpe, Varela; Janko, Pearson, Rothwell, A.Pereira (Wilson 63), Harrop (Petrucci 52); Lawrence (Love 72 (Goss 79))
Barnsley, who were relegated from the Championship last season, started the game brightly, with striker Sam Winnall bending a shot off target in the opening exchanges. However after just 11 minutes, Josh Harrop picked up the ball, made a diagonal run towards the goal, and lashed in a cracking strike past Barnsley keeper, Adam Davies.
Barnsley came back at United, with Winnall forcing Joel Pereira into making a save, whilst shortly after, defender Tom Thorpe cleared the danger with a diving header.
United doubled their lead on 32 minutes with Harrop scoring his second of the game. After playing some neat football and a slick interchange with the impressive Tom Lawrence, finishing the move by slotting past the Barnsley keeper.
The second half was much quieter with very few chances for either side, but United were playing the better football. Ben Pearson impressed in the middle of the park, whilst Lawrence, Janko and Harrop also stood out for United. The back 4 handled the sporadic Barnsley attacks well.
It was only the last few minutes of the game when Barnsley really tested United keeper Pereira with a few long shots. From the resulting corner, Barnsley defender Jean Yves M’Voto headed home a fine consolation goal but it was all in vain as United held on for victory.
All in all, it was a well deserved victory for the youngsters against a team who were much older, and stronger. United moved the ball around well and played positive attacking football.
