A round-up of some Barnsley FC related stories coming out of the weekend.
WATTERS COULD RETURN WITH PHILLIPS A DOUBT
Max Watters could return from injury to play against Charlton Athletic on Tuesday while Barnsley are assessing Adam Phillips’ fitness after he hurt his ankle on Saturday.
Phillips, the five-goal top-scorer, returned for the win at Blackpool at the weekend following a foot problem then was taken off with a different injury. Head coach Darrell Clarke would not comment on his chances of featuring in midweek.
Meanwhile, Watters has missed the last six games with injury. Clarke said: “Max has been back in full training from Friday. He could maybe have some involvement tomorrow night.”
Josh Benson, Sam Cosgrove and Matty Wolfe are all still recovering from injuries.
‘ZIZOU’ SHEPHERD NETS STUNNING VOLLEY
Darrell Clarke compared Barnsley loanee Jack Shepherd to Zinedine Zidane following the defender’s stunning long-range volley for Bradford City.
Shepherd found the top left corner from outside the box in first half injury-time, with what proved to be the winner in a 2-1 home defeat of Gillingham in League Two on Saturday.
Clarke said: “It was like Zizou. I can’t say it’s a one-off because he scored a cracking goal for me for Cheltenham as well. I will catch up with all the loan players this week and make sure they are all finding their feet and doing well.”
It was a more difficult day for Jackson Smith whose Grimsby Town side suffered a 4-1 home defeat to his former club Walsall, after a goalless first half.
Andy Dallas made his first start for Barrow in their 1-0 loss at Accrington on Saturday, coming off after 62 minutes.
Kacper Łopatą played 65 minutes of Ross County’s 3-0 loss St Johnstone in the SPL, as they had two other players sent off.
U18S HIT SIX IN FIRST HALF
Barnsley under 18s netted six first half goals before winning 6-4 at home to Peterborough United on Saturday.
Toby Smith’s early brace and goals by Elliott Probert and Kieran Graham put the Reds 4-0 up after 30 minutes. Posh replied but Luke Alker and Graham made it 6-1 at the break. The visitors scored three times in the second half but were beaten.
Barnsley under 18s are now eighth in their league with 12 points from ten games. They have only lost two of their last ten games.
Both Barnsley’s under 21s and under 18s are due to face Sheffield United in the coming days. The under 21s host the Blades on Friday from 1pm then the under 18s travel to Sheffield on Saturday for an 11am kick-off.
UNDER 21S TO VISIT ATHERSLEY REC IN CUP NEXT WEEK
Barnsley under 21s are due to visit local non-league club Athersley Rec in the Sheffield Senior Cup next week.
The game is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, October 30 from 7.30pm. It is the night after Barnsley host Doncaster Rovers in the EFL Trophy at Oakwell from 7pm.
The young Reds have entered the Sheffield Cup this season to provide more experience and matches.
Rec are having one of their best seasons for years, currently in the play-off places in the NCEL Division One.
WOMEN LOSE 3-0 AT HOME
Barnsley FC women’s tough start to the season continued as they lost 3-0 at home to Chorley on Sunday with all the goals in the first half.
The Reds are ninth out of 12 in National League Division One North with six points from seven games.
They are now due to visit fourth-placed Leeds United on Sunday.
