Barnsley (U21s) 1-2 Sheffield Wednesday (U21s)

Barnsley (U21s) 1-2 Sheffield Wednesday (U21s)

Professional Development League

Tuesday 20th February 2024

Bruno Fernandes was the match-winner as his late goal gave Sheffield Wednesday’s U21s the three points in this local derby against Barnsley.

When I turned up at Oakwell in bright sunshine but with a bit of rain forecast later in the afternoon, I did wonder exactly how much football I’d see considering the referee was a certain James Bancroft - the same bloke who infamously abandoned Scunthorpe vs Buxton in the 96th minute earlier this season.

This time under Mr Bancroft’s watchful eye, we did get a full 90 minutes but the game itself was quite scrappy and lacking any real quality. There were individual snippets of good skill (mentioned below) but no one single player dominated things or took the game by the scruff of the neck.

Playing at home, Barnsley were probably favourites and, along with having more territory, they had the game’s first chance when Aaron Atkinson lashed a shot wide but on the quarter-hour mark, the visitors went 1-0 up. A ball into the box from the left was dangerous, Luke Cook got something on it, and the ball eventually reached Bruno Fernandes who was able to smash it home from a couple of yards.

Thereafter, the rest of the first half was pretty uneventful. Barnsley couldn’t quite get the final ball right as they remained frustrated and the only other chance where a save was needed came when Reds ‘keeper Rogan Ravenhill (who put in a good performance) got down well to keep out a Luke Cook shot.

Just before half-time there was also an incident where Aaron Atkinson showed lots of desire to chase down a ball that looked as if it was going to run out of play. He didn’t give up, got to it, and at full-stretch delivered a ball into the area that hit the hand of an SWFC player and looked in the ‘dubious’ category but nothing was given and the game continued.

In the second half, Barnsley looked slightly better and certainly created more opportunities - especially after Josiah Dyer, Jono Bland and Vimal Yoganathan came on for them in a triple change on 54 minutes.

Aiden Marsh and Aaron Atkinson soon combined via a through ball which put Marshy in, only for him to lash one behind, and when the pair linked up again a couple of minutes later with Wednesday ‘keeper Jack Hall out of position inside his area, Aaron Atkinson tried a chip over him from an angle which went narrowly wide. The right idea but he just couldn’t quite get the execution right.

At the other end, Luke Cook almost doubled Wednesday’s lead with a brilliant strike from the edge of the box that was palmed over by Rogan Ravenhill (great piece of goalkeeping) and the Reds ‘keeper then made another save and held the ball when Gui Siqueria went close.

But eventually, Barnsley got an equaliser which they probably deserved on the balance of play as Aiden Marsh showed good technique and footwork on the edge of box, being afforded too much time and space, and he was as ruthless as ever with his finish - unleashing a low left-foot strike across the ‘keeper that hit the post and went in.

The game was now very much in the balance again.

There was a chance for Barnsley when Josiah Dyer dragged a shot wide; Wednesday went close themselves when Rio Shipston provided a fantastic ball towards the back-post that Gui Siqueria latched onto before the danger was scrambled clear - and in the end there was to be a late winner. Barnsley had a corner which worked its way to Jono Bland on the edge of the box - his shot was blocked and from that and the resulting passage of play, the Owls defence eventually cleared their lines and Bruno Fernandes found himself in-behind at the other end in a one-on-one where he retained his composure to finish.

And that was that!

In all honesty, a point apiece would have been a fair outcome. Barnsley will feel aggrieved that they took nothing from the game but Wednesday were more clinical with their chances - also being denied by Rogan Ravenhill on other occasions, and that’s why they got the points.

Amongst individuals, no one player stood out significantly, but I thought Aaron Atkinson was good for Barnsley - involved in a lot of attacking moments and his best two contributions were chasing the lost cause to get a cross in which led to the penalty shoot in the first half, and then when he won the ball inside his own half in the second half from a SWFC corner. Important stuff. Aiden Marsh took his goal well - good technique and a flash of individual quality I look for in these games; not Marshy’s greatest overall performance, but he got nothing off the referee either - that didn’t go unnoticed and I loved Marshy’s shout in the second half to him. Spot on! Rogan Ravenhill also really won my respect with his saves and had a good game - deserves credit and he should be pleased. And Charlie Hickingbottom booted one away from danger and downfield in the first half (big clearance but precisely what was needed in that moment) and with those qualities, plus his size, physicality and character (as I know already he’s a sensible/reliable lad and ‘proper’ being down to earth), then I see the potential there for him to be a really good fit for a National League North level loan at some point - in the right style/environment, he’ll do alright.

Amongst Wednesday’s lot, Bruno Fernandes took his goals well - including the second which was really good composure. Sam Reed is likeable; it says a lot about him that he’s been given the captain’s armband too and playing further up on the left-wing, he won a couple of headers off goal-kicks. A little good aspect to his game which didn’t go unnoticed. Rio Shipston apparently had a blister on his heel and his best contribution was in the second half where he whipped that perfect free-kick towards the back-post and then 60 seconds later where he won a free-kick in a similar position after doing really well to shield the ball under a lot of pressure. Sadly, he didn’t get the delivery right from the second free-kick (little scream afterwards) but his ability is there for all to see. And up top, Luke Cook (think he banged his head on the dugout before the game started too) had what I thought was one of his better performances - played a part in the first goal, was unlucky not to score (flying save by Rogan Ravenhill stopped him) and he used his size/physique quite well and that’s an advantage in his favour when clubs are looking to take a No.9 on loan. Needs to show his ability more consistently, but there is a player in there somewhere who can be effective.

All of those little things will be remembered, even though I’ll see far more exciting, enthralling and higher-quality games between now and the end of the season.

The final word has to to Mr Bancroft. It wasn’t any shock when he got right in the way of Jono Bland’s attempted pass late in the game (worthy of a frustrated glare) and he really doesn’t fill me with much confidence as a referee. But, on the positive side, at least we got through a full game this time around without him locking himself in his dressing room afterwards!

Always a bonus!