Barnsley (U23s) 0-0 Swansea City (U23s)

Barnsley (U23s) 0-0 Swansea City (U23s)

Premier League Professional Development League

Tuesday 22nd March 2022

This is one of those games which won’t live for too long in the memory bank as Barnsley and Swansea City’s U23s played out a 0-0 draw at Oakwell.  

During an afternoon where defences were on top, chances were few and far between with Barnsley probably shading things - seeing more of the ball in the final third, having by far more corners, and creating a few good openings where Swansea ‘keeper Josh Schofield was called into action.  

The Welsh visitors also had their periods on top. Having finished the first half strongly, they then put together the most fluid move of the game just past the hour mark which culminated in Dylan Morgan seeing his close-range finish ruled out for offside.  

Barnsley made a few changes to the team which were impressive in their 3-1 win over Peterborough on Friday and one of those who featured last time but didn’t appear in this game was Will Hondermarck.  

In truth, Hondermarck’s pace, athleticism and attacking threat from wide areas might have helped to break down a Swans backline which was tight, compact and maintained their shape well for long spells.  

The first chance of another sunny afternoon in South Yorkshire came on 11 minutes. Keegan Hartley was cynically chopped down about 25 yards out by Cameron Evans, who was booked for the offence, and Will Lancaster’s in-swinging delivery towards the far-post took a bounce and required fingertips from Schofield to ensure the ball missed the target. From the subsequent set-piece, Connor Hodgson took up a great position on the edge of the ‘D’ and blasted an audacious first time volley narrowly over the woodwork. Had the ball gone in, it would have been something quite special indeed!  

Both teams then rode their luck to a large extent as they were caught attempting to play out from the back. Firstly, a combination of the ‘keeper and the post thwarted the unnamed trialist wearing No.9 for Barnsley, before down at the other end it was Amir Ariely who sloppily centred a ball straight to a Swansea player lurking on the edge of the area. The defender managed to get back to a decent enough recovery position, nonetheless, and Sam Leverett eventually put an effort over the upright.  

Although Barnsley had been the brighter and more adventurous team during the first half-hour; Hodgson notably having another chance with a drilled cross-shot which had the visiting defence worried, Swansea ended the first half strongly and went close when Rio Campbell got the better of Kareem Hassan-Smith thanks to some tidy footwork but his low drive was well-blocked by Lancaster who read a dangerous situation well.  

Barnsley replaced their unnamed trialist with Aiden Marsh for the second half and he had a good impact on things - demonstrating a good work ethic and trying hard to make something happen upfront but a combination of no piercing through balls plus some organised defending by the Swans meant the hosts remained frustrated in their efforts for a breakthrough. 

A series of four corners in quick succession just prior to the hour mark ended when Ariely headed narrowly over from Hodgson’s delivery and a few minutes later, after Bremang was afforded time and space to bring down a ball with his chest and then embark on a run towards goal, his low drive was palmed by Schofield with Marsh’s subsequent on-target follow-up being claimed by the Swansea ‘keeper.  

The visitors did have some spells in which they demonstrated what they’re capable of in an attacking sense and saw a goal disallowed in what was probably the best and most free-flowing move of the afternoon. It came about when Leverett won possession midway inside the Reds’ half and quickly fed a ball out towards an over-lapping Joe Thomas out wide who, in-turn, played an inviting pass to Campbell inside the area. The striker side-footed home from the edge of the six-yard box but the flag was already up for offside!  

Lancaster then blocked another shot from a Swansea player as the game entered its final quarter, but Barnsley were again the more probing team during the closing stages and a couple more chances came their way. Helliwell dragged a low shot wide in one attack on the back of some good passing build-up play, and found himself appealing in vain for a handball only a few minutes later when he’d tried to recycle a move following the Swansea ‘keeper getting down low to tip away a low drive by Marsh.  

Bremang was replaced by Jack Sherlock in the last 10 minutes but, unlike four days ago against Peterborough, there proved to be no late goals and both teams had to settle for a point apiece.

A draw was probably a fair reflection as Swansea defended well and always looked organised whilst Barnsley didn’t really get any piercing passes in-behind their opponents defence for players to run onto.  

Deserved mentions for Jordan Helliwell who did the ugly side of the game quite well. There were at least half a dozen instances where he picked up the bits and pieces inside his own box, cleared the danger, and it didn’t go unnoticed. Connor Hodgson was decent in the left-wing-back role and provided some good deliveries; Aiden Marsh added something when he came on and his effort couldn’t be faulted, and the Barnsley defence (skippered by Will Lancaster who made a few good blocks) generally did well when they were put under pressure.