A round-up of Barnsley FC related stories coming out of the weekend.
LEWIS ‘GIVES US OPTIONS’ BUT ‘WILL TAKE TIME’
JONATHAN Lewis’ pace will give Barnsley a different dimension in attack says Darrell Clarke, but the head coach admits the new signing will ‘take time’ to be fully match fit.
The 27-year-old American international signed as a free agent last week until the end of the season.
He can play on the wing, where he made his debut off the bench in the defeat to Huddersfield on Saturday, or up front.
Clarke told the Chronicle: “He gives us options. We can play 3-4-3 or 4-3-3. I want to see different things because you have to be adaptable.
“He has pace which gives us a plan B and plan C. Unfortunately we lost Fabio (Jalo) early on because we had that early in the season. It just gives the opposition something different to think about.
“Jon’s last game was November so it will take him time. He’s been training hard individually but he needs match minutes.”
REDS SET FOR ANOTHER ALL-YORKSHIRE CLASH
Barnsley will look to end a six-match winless run when they visit fellow mid-table side, and near neighbours, Rotherham United on Saturday for a 12.30pm kick-off.
The Reds, who have taken a point from six games, are seven points off the play-off places and that gap could increase depending on other results on Tuesday evening.
Steve Evans’ Rotherham are currently five points and four places behind Barnsley in 14th, having collected just a point from their last four games.
The Reds have won the last five meetings and not lost to the Millers in 11 since 1982.
WOMEN TARGET SIX MORE POINTS IN FIGHT AGAINST DROP
BARNSLEY FC women believe six points from their remaining six games would put them in a ‘very healthy position’ to stay up, starting with a ‘huge’ home match against York City on Sunday from 2pm.
The Reds are seventh in National League Division One North with 17 points from 16 games and five clear of the two-team relegation zone.
The Oakwell club – who are in the fourth tier after back to back promotions – still must play all the current top four as well as two teams just below them in York and Norton.
Manager Jess Horsley said: “We need to try to get six points. If we get that it would put us in a very healthy position. York are only two points behind us so that game can make a massive difference and they could go above us.”
The Reds won 6-0 at home to Rotherham United under 21s in the Sheffield Senior Cup.
They were 4-0 up after 18 minutes and added two more in the second half to reach the last 16.
Kirstie Nicholls and Horsley - who does not normally play - scored twice with Louise Biggins netting a penalty and Victoria Chincharo also on target.
LOANEE SHEPHERD SENT OFF BUT COULD GET TO WEMBLEY
Barnsley loanee Jack Shepherd was sent off 17 minutes into Bradford City’s game on Saturday but could still help them to Wembley tomorrow.
The defender was dismissed for fouling a Newport attacker who was through on goal in a 0-0 away draw for the League Two promotion-chasers. He is thought to be eligible to play at Birmingham City in midweek in the EFL Trophy semi-final.
Andy Dallas started in Morecambe’s 2-0 win over Accrington Stanley.
Kacper Lopata played all of Ross County’s 3-0 win at Motherwell in the SPL while, in the Scottish Championship, Aiden Marsh came off the bench in Raith Rovers’ 3-0 win over Partick Thistle.
Kyran Lofthouse came off the bench in Burton Albion’s 3-1 loss at Bristol Rovers in League One while Sam Cosgrove was an unused substitute for Stockport in their win at Wigan.
Vimal Yoganathan was an unused substitute in Oldham’s 0-0 draw at home to Sutton United in the National League.
Bayley McCann’s cross was turned in for an own goal in Peterborough Sports’ 1-1 draw with Curzon Ashton in the National League North.
UNDER 18S DEFEAT CREWE
Barnsley under 18s won 2-0 at home to Crewe Alexandra.
Luke Alker and Feyi Afuape got the goals.
They are now due to visit Fleetwood Town on Saturday then host Wigan Athletic on Tuesday from 11.30am.
The under 21s are set to visit Birmingham City on Friday.
