Some Barnsley FC related news coming out of the weekend.
REDS WORKING ON GOALKEEPER DEAL
Barnsley are working on bringing in an emergency loan goalkeeper this week.
Jackson Smith came off with a hamstring problem on Saturday in the loss at Mansfield Town and was replaced by academy product Kieren Flavell who impressed on his professional league debut.
Aston Villa loanee Joe Gauci is also injured so, under league rules, the Reds are allowed to bring in a new stopper and will look to do so in the coming days.
Neither Smith or Gauci is expected to return for Saturday’s match at home to Cambridge United.
WOMEN TO FACE LEEDS ON MAIN OAKWELL PITCH
Barnsley FC’s women are due to face Leeds United on the main Oakwell pitch from 2pm on Sunday – with victory securing their safety in the English fourth tier.
The eighth-placed Reds are three places and seven points clear of the two-team relegation zone in the National League Division One North, with three games left.
A win over fourth-placed Leeds would secure their safety as would a draw between bottom two Doncaster and Fylde. Tickets are on sale and cost £3 for adults and £1 for under 19s. Coach Jess Horsley said: “A local derby at Oakwell is really good for everyone. Hopefully we can get a few fans there and a good atmosphere. The girls love playing there and it’s a privilege.”
The Reds won 3-1 at home to Doncaster Rovers reserves in the last 16 of the Sheffield Senior Cup on Sunday.
They fell behind but Horsley, Kirstie Nicholls and Louise Biggins scored.
They are now due to face Sheffield United under 21s in the quarters on April 20.
TRIO AWAY ON INTERNATIONAL DUTY
Connor Barratt, Bayley McCann and Dexter Lembikisa are set to miss Barnsley’s home game with Cambridge United on Saturday due to international call-ups.
Lembikisa is in the senior Jamaica squad for their games with St Vincent and the Grenadines. The wing-back is yet to start since being loaned from Wolves.
Defender Barratt has been called up for the Republic of Ireland under 21s who play Scotland on Friday and Hungary on Monday, both in Spain. He broke into the team recently and has appeared in the last four games.
Barratt’s absence leaves Barnsley very low on centre-backs with Donovan Pines and Josh Earl nursing injuries while Marc Roberts came off at the weekend with a blow to the head. If Roberts cannot face Cambridge at the weekend, Barnsley will only have Conor McCarthy and Mael de Gevigney as fit centre-backs so may have to change to a back four or play someone out of position or blood another youngster.
McCann, a left wing-back who made his Reds league debut off the bench last week, is in the Northern Ireland under 19s squad.
Teams can call games off for three call-ups but the players have to have played more matches than the above.
VIMAL NETS FIRST LEAGUE GOAL AND NOW COULD FACE ENGLAND
Barnsley loanee Vimal Yoganathan scored the first league goal of his career for loan club Oldham Athletic on Saturday.
He headed in a late leveller in a 1-1 draw with neighbours Rochdale.
That left Micky Melon’s team fourth and on course for the play-offs.
Yoganathan has also been called up for Wales under 19s who play against England on Wednesday.
WIN FOR U21S AHEAD OF BLADES DERBY
Barnsley under 21s won 1-0 at home to Hull City on Friday.
Josiah Dyer got the only goal.
They are now due to visit Sheffield United on Tuesday from 2pm.
Barnsley under 18s lost 2-0 at home to Burnley.
The under 18s’ next game is at home to Colchester United on Friday, March 28.
