A round-up of Barnsley FC related stories coming out of the weekend.
CONOR ‘GUTTED’ FOR INJURED BENSON
Conor Hourihane said he was ‘really gutted’ for Josh Benson who picked up another injury over the weekend.
Benson has been plagued by muscle problems during his four-year spell with the Reds and came off after 19 minutes of the home draw with Cambridge on Saturday.
Interim head coach Hourihane told the Chronicle: “Josh has been a big positive for me over the ten days – he’s been refreshing, energetic, he’s taken all the information on board. I am really gutted for him.
“It’s been really frustrating in terms of injuries and we’re down to the bare bones. But young lads are champing at the bit and we will go again this week.
“I think it’s a hamstring injury and he has a history of muscle injuries.”
Neil Farrugia missed the Cambridge game through injury but Hourihane was hopeful the left wing-back would return for this Saturday’s game at Wigan. Centre-back Marc Roberts could also be in contention to return after concussion.
WIGAN AND EXETER UP NEXT
Barnsley are due to face two sides next week who are in a cluster of clubs hovering just above the relegation zone.
The Reds first go on Wigan on Saturday, who are 18th and seven points above the drop zone, while they are the lowest scorers in the league but only the top six have better defensive records. The Latics sacked Shaun Maloney earlier this month and replaced him with Ryan Lowe. Barnsley will look for an 11th away win of the league season and a third in a row in their trips to Wigan.
The Oakwell club then play next Tuesday, April 1, at home to Exeter who are 16th and nine points clear of the relegation zone – eight behind the 11th-placed Reds.
Barnsley will look for a sixth home league win of the season against a side currently unbeaten in six while Jack Aitchison and Angus MacDonald could play at their former club.
WOMEN SAFE AFTER BEATING LEEDS
Barnsley FC women are safe from relegation in National League Division One North after a 3-2 win over Leeds United on the main Oakwell pitch on Sunday.
After Louise Biggins’ penalty – won by Jodie Gregory – was cancelled out, second half goals by Gregory, from long-range, and Alayna Millard secured the win despite a late consolation.
The Reds are seventh, four places and nine points clear of the relegation zone with two games left.
They were promoted in each of the previous two campaigns into the fourth tier in England.
Coach Jess Horsley said: “The second half was the best performances we’ve had in the time I’ve been doing this.
“The girls wanted it a lot more than Leeds and that’s what gave us the edge.
“It was one of the best games I’ve seen, from both teams.
“In the first half Leeds probably had the upper hand but didn’t take their chances then we had so much desire in the second half.
“It was a good game to have on the big pitch. Quite a few of the Leeds players are local so their families were there.
“This season we’ve won three from three on that pitch which is brilliant.”
YOUNG REDS IN INTERNATIONAL ACTION
Barnsley’s Bayley McCann made his debut for Northern Ireland under 21s and captained them in the second half of a 1-1 draw against Moldova. They are now due to face Uzbekistan on Tuesday.
Conor Barratt came on for the final minutes of Republic of Ireland under 21s’ 2-0 loss against Scotland on Friday. It was the defender’s debut. They are now due to face Hungary on Monday evening.
Vimal Yoganathan started for Wales under 19 in the 1-0 loss against Portugal on Saturday in Rhyl. He had also started a loss to England last week. They face Turkey on Tuesday.
Dexter Lembikisa started and had a goal disallowed in Jamaica’s 1-1 draw with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in the CONCACAF Gold Cup qualifiers. The teams are due to play again on Tuesday.
