Barnsley (U21s) 2-0 Charlton Athletic (U21s)

Barnsley (U21s) 2-0 Charlton Athletic (U21s)

Premier League Professional Development League

Friday 2nd September 2022

This was one of those afternoons where every player in a Barnsley shirt made a positive contribution as the Reds deservedly beat their Charlton Athletic counterparts at the Oakwell Training Ground.

Dependable in defence thanks to the triumvirate of Danny Benson, Will Lancaster and Jasper Moon and clinical up front with Jack Butterfill bagging both goals, the Reds' display had plenty of graft, guile, energy and enthusiasm about it. The gritty desire complimented periods of fluid football really well.

It was a case of talented players working hard for the cause and it was a pleasure to witness.

The goals which did the damage both came before half-time. Butterfill side-footed home following Kareem Hassan Smith's recycled cross on eight minutes for the opener before he claimed a second with a nonchalant looping flick off his heel over the 'keeper from Joe Ackroyd's near-post corner.

The second 45 minutes was then a fine example of showing guts, character and expressing commitment to the cause to see the job through. Bodies were thrown in front of shots time and again - and literally put on the line Harrison Nejman's case as he made a brave goalbound block to keep Charlton at bay at a time when they were pressing hard to find a route back into proceedings.

The Reds could have extended their lead in the closing stages as Hayden Pickard went close on two occasions before Fabio Jalo saw a free-kick tipped over after his own twinkle-toed footwork drew a foul on the edge of the box.

Charlton lost their skipper Euan Williams to a second yellow card in the closing minutes but nothing could take the shine off just how hard Barnsley worked to get these three points and keep a clean-sheet against strong opponents who put five goals past Sheffield United just over a fortnight ago.

It's testament to the lads' ability that they performed with such togetherness and, amongst some very strong individual showings, Joe Ackroyd's display was up there amongst the best.

Apart from one opening where he didn't get a shot off in time just before the break, everything else he did was exactly what I wanted to see. Wearing the No.7 shirt but operating in the LCM role, he posed a goal threat - proven by the fact he played a part in the opener (as it was his initial ball through the box, on the back of a brilliant dummy by Fabio Jalo, which reached Kareem Hassan-Smith) and then got the assist for the second goal. He had a separate shot saved, linked-up well with several of his team-mates when Barnsley were in possession, made intelligent runs so that he was an available option in offensive positions a few times. He then demonstrated the other side to his game in the second half when he got behind the ball, stood up his markers and battled very hard. His game-management was excellent; stifling things, grafting and his vocal presence and little bits of leadership (stemming from his youth team captaincy a few years ago) didn't go unnoticed either. Good defensive work is vitally important and he put in a solid performance to create another good impression. If I needed any reassurance on his ability, this display backed up what I already thought. It was impressive and I've got a lot of respect for it.

Alongside him, Harrison Nejman grew into things a lot as the afternoon progressed and his best contributions were a well-timed tackle under pressure followed by his goal-saving block on the line just a minute or two later. Who knows how a Charlton goal might have changed the course of the game at that point?  He 'ratted' and won the ball back various times in the latter stages to alleviate pressure and, after his first team debut earlier this week, it was a performance he should be pleased with to round off a big week in his fledgling career. 

Having heard plenty about Fabio Jalo, this was my first time watching him 'live' (which is always the best way to form an opinion on a player) and he's certainly got talent. His dummy in the build-up to the opening goal was clever and highlighted his technical awareness, his eagerness to get up and get on with things after being clattered by a defender in the first half showed he isn't afraid of being bashed by opponents who are bigger and stronger either. Those attributes, combined with his raw pace, his raw energy, his raw enthusiasm and having quick feet in being able to turn and bring the ball onto his favoured foot for a shooting opportunity in the blink of an eye (something he did twice in this game) makes him a dangerous goal threat. He was listening to his coaches and taking things on board - especially in dropping back to play his part in defensive work whenever Charlton had a corner. It's scary to think he's only 16 because he's setting a good benchmark and will only get better with age/experience. He's in this Under 21s team on merit and playing how he did today, against a good team, he did his reputation no harm whatsoever. Again, I've plenty of admiration for a lad who has talent and a willingness to work hard and make the most of that talent and he seems to have it. Well done!

The whole defence deserve recognition for the part they played in the result. Will Lancaster was organised and efficient and showed the qualities that you'd want a leader to show - it was 'no frills' stuff sometimes but he was reliable and put in a good shift and even went on a mazy run in the latter stages where I thought for a moment he might smash the ball into the top corner but he passed to Fabio Jalo instead. Jasper Moon was really good with his footwork, played two lovely crossfield passes to feet which opened up so much space in the latter part of the first half, got the chance to use his trademark 'long throw' weapon on one occasion and defended particularly well in one individual duel on approximately 70 minutes to stop Charlton's striker from being able to turn goalwards when he received the ball on the edge of the six-yard box. Aspects of this performance is why I like Jasper, why I'll always believe in his ability and why I'll back him to the hilt and I hope this game kick-starts his season. I enjoyed watching it. Danny Benson also played his part alongside the other two; winning his duels well and clearing his lines to good effect. I don't think it was a penalty when Charlton's No.7 (who wasn't a bad player) went down touch-tight to the byline just before the hour mark. He can be as happy as the others to have contributed towards this clean-sheet.

The full-backs also performed strongly. Having seen him a few times previously, I actually think this performance was the best that I've seen from Hayden Pickard. Whether it be closing down at corners early on (he was definitely 10 yards by the way!!!) to his composure on the ball or how he got up the pitch and forced a save before having a second shot deflected wide later on, there was lots of positivity from him. He's one of the younger members of this team and, again, it was a great way to end a week where he also featured in the matchday squad for the first team.

It was a shame for Kareem Hassan-Smith that he went off injured after about half-an-hour because he started the game with a lot of positivity and purpose. He got the assist with a great ball towards the near-post and was then involved in some fluid play not long afterwards before he was scythed down just as he was breaking into a dangerous position where he could have tested the 'keeper. His replacement in Jonathan Bland slotted in well; looked composed and comfortable and wasn't flustered in any way whatsoever by what he was up against in the opposition.

The trialist 'keeper (name unknown) also put in a good shift, was vocal and pulled off some good saves when he was required to do so - the best of which was smothering one at close-range on the quarter-hour mark which led to the goalmouth scramble.

Further up the pitch, Keegan Hartley should be pleased with his performance as he ran, worked hard for the cause and went within a whisker of scoring himself with a thunderous drive just before half-time (after the ball ricocheted to him following Joe Ackroyd being closed down) which came back off the foot of the post. About 10 minutes prior to that, he dropped back excellently to the halfway line to receive a pass and link-up with Ackroyd (I think); in a not dissimilar style to how Aiden Marsh performed that task against Lincoln in the Papa John's Trophy game. There were some likeable facets to his play and his replacement, Theo Chapman, was good when he came on. He drew fouls (including the one late on), he played with an energy, looked threatening and capable of exploiting any mistakes. He found space at times, almost got in behind on another occasion and he'll certainly be pleased with how he impacted the game.

Finally, there's no better feeling than scoring goals and being the match-winner and that's precisely what Jack Butterfill was. I actually preferred his nicely-cushioned finish for the opener because that goal was from open play and involved two or three pieces of fantastic football in the build-up - although he'll probably be happier with the second goal he scored considering it was a sublime near-post flick (on a par with Gianfranco Zola's goal against Norwich in the FA Cup years ago). The technique for both finishes were excellent and it'll be some good footage for him for whenever his individual highlights reel is next updated.

If I was to nit-pick Barnsley's performance, there would still be one or two elements which need some improvement. In one passage of play midway through the first half, they were caught on the ball and very quickly found themselves on the wrong side of a 5-on-3 scenario where Charlton had options left and right, though it culminated in the 'keeper making an easy save. That can sometimes prove costly, plus the Addicks nearly scored amidst a scramble inside the box where the marking had been a bit all over the place following a well-worked corner routine early on - despite every player having been brought back to defend it.

That said, nothing should detract from a brilliant result and a clean-sheet against strong Category Two opponents who are capable of scoring goals for fun (as they've done in other games) and have won their previous four games in a row. Battling characteristics were clear and evident in abundance; there was a commitment and desire from every single player in a Barnsley shirt to work hard and there was some good quality football played and some good moves put together!

Of about 30 games I've been to already this season, this is up there in the top two for being the most enjoyable - the other being Hearts B vs Berwick Rangers in the Lowland League, so well done, it must have felt good, and enjoy the weekend.