Barnsley took a point back to Yorkshire following a tough battle against Cambridge United. Continuing their impressive away form, the Reds are now three games unbeaten on the road in the Sky Bet League One. The Reds' first attack came from a great run by Keillor-Dunn down the right flank, but the U’s defended well. Despite a positive start from the Reds, the home side took an early lead with a goal from Dan N’Lundulu. Finding himself in space on the left side of the box following a missed clearance, his right-footed shot was fired past Ben Killip. After going behind in the 4th minute, the Reds' manager, Darrell Clarke, made an early substitution just 8 minutes in, replacing Max Watters with Kelechi Nwakali due to what looked like an injury. In the 10th minute, Keillor-Dunn found Jon Russell in space just outside the box, but his shot forced Jack Stevens into a save, giving Barnsley a corner kick. Roberts managed to get a shot off, but it was just wide of the post. Korey Smith almost caught Ben Killip off his line with a shot from inside the box, but the Barnsley Keeper was alert catching the ball. Returning to the starting XI, Humphrys found himself in the referee's book in the 16th minute after pulling the shirt of a Cambridge player. Just minutes later, Georgie Gent joined him, committing a late challenge as United drove down the right wing. Following a short period of pressure from the home side, the Reds found themselves on the counter with Stephen Humphrys picking up the ball in his own half. Driving toward the goal, the striker fired the ball past Stevens inside the box, levelling the score. Barnsley was lucky not to go behind for a second time when Michael Morrison found himself unmarked at the back post. Meeting a cross from Liam Bennett following a corner, his header hit the post, and the chance came to nothing. A brilliant attack down the left flank by Georgie Gent led to his cross almost finding Stephen Humphrys, but the U’s keeper was first to the ball. Liam Bennett made a run towards the Barnsley box, but Jon Russell made a superb recovery run, winning the ball back for his team and then sending Humphrys who was unfortunate to be flagged offside. With 4 minutes of the first half remaining, Barnsley continued to pressure the U’s, but they were unable to create any real chances. O’Keeffe played a teasing ball into the box for Jon Russell but his attempt to win the ball was stopped after the referee blew for a foul on the United defender. Both teams battled hard for another goal, but after the first 45, the teams were deadlocked. Half time: Cambridge United 1–1 Barnsley A driven ball into the box from a Barnsley free kick from the right wing almost reached Joshua Earls's run at the back post, but the ball had too much pace and went out for a goal kick. Marc Roberts took a long throw-in from the left-hand side which fell to Kelechi just outside the box, but his effort curled wide of the post. Barnsley had a good spell of possession, putting pressure on the Cambridge defence. Georgie Gent made a great run down the left flank leading to a fizzing cross into the box, but no Barnsley player was there to challenge the ball. Kelechi Nwakali tried his luck from long-range in the 61st minute but his shot forced the Cambridge United 'keeper to tip the ball over the crossbar. In the 75th minute, Stephen Humphrys had a shot in the box, but his strike was straight at Jack Stevens. Jon Russell was there to get the deflection putting the ball in the back of the net, but it was quickly ruled out as he was offside. Barnsley displayed some great link-up play when Humphrys played a superb pass through to Adam Phillips whose shot was dragged just wide of the goal. Shortly after, the Reds found themselves in the box again but could not capitalize on the chance. Following some great footwork from Nwakali, his pass found Humphrys who shifted the ball onto his right foot, but his shot deflected, and the U’s goalkeeper tipped the ball over the crossbar. Corey O’Keefe put a brilliant ball into the box which found Adam Phillips rising high, but his header was just wide of the left post. It was the Reds who looked more threatening in the attacking areas. Keillor-Dunn almost made it 2-1 to Barnsley by getting on the end of an O’Keeffe cross from the right-hand side, but the effort was narrowly wide. Cambridge attempted to disrupt the flow of the Reds' possession with a few attacks and shouts for a penalty, but their efforts were not enough, and the home side had to settle for a draw. Full time: Cambridge United 1–1 Barnsley Barnsley FC: Killip, Russell, Roberts, De Gevigney, O’Keeffe, Phillips, Gent, Earl, Watters (Nwakali, 8’), Keillor-Dunn, Humphrys. Subs unused: Smith, Cotter, Pines, Jalo, Lofthouse, Craig. Continue reading...
