[BFC SITE] Watters equaliser secures point for the Reds at Oakwell

A late equaliser from substitute Max Watters secured a point for Barnsley FC at Oakwell, as they drew 1-1 with Charlton Athletic.

The Addicks produced the first chance of the game in the opening minutes of the game, with Miles Leaburn hitting a close-range effort straight at Barnsley stopper, Gabriel Slonina. The Reds responded well with two good crosses into the box from Georgie Gent, but Charlton defended well to deny the approaching Reds forwards a chance to capitalise with a potential opener.

The visitors had the majority of possession in the opening stages of the content, but were unable to move play beyond midfield. After 17 minutes, Georgie Gent made a great run down the left flank, taking on two defenders in the process, but the left wing-back was taken down and awarded a free kick, which was cleared out of harm’s way by an opposition defender.

Josh Earl came close for Darrell Clarke’s men in the 31st minute, hitting a powerful shot from 30 yards out which forced a diving stop from Will Mannion in the Charlton net.

The Reds were now firmly building some momentum in the final third, and this paid dividends after 34 minutes, as they took the lead through Davis Keillor-Dunn. The forward responded with a follow-up to a shot from distance by Stephen Humphrys, dispatching with aplomb from close-range for the opening goal of the contest.

The Reds were then able to comfortably see out the remainder of the half, to go into half time with a one goal lead.

HALF TIME: Barnsley FC 1-0 Charlton Athletic

Barnsley started the second half on the front foot, with Keillor-Dunn hitting a shot from just outside the box in the 52nd minute, but only being able to direct his shot over the crossbar. Luca Connell found himself in a similar position just minutes later, but he was also unable to hit the target.

Vimal Yoganathan, making his first EFL start for Darrell Clarke’s men, almost made it two for Barnsley after 57 minutes, when Humphrys put a ball into the box from the left flank, but the young midfielder’s header was directed off-target. Four minutes later, Jon Russell rattled the crossbar with a thunderous effort in the centre of the box.

Brilliant defending from de Gevigney denied the forward Leaburn a one-on-one opportunity from Slonina in the 63rd minute.

The Reds responded well six minutes later, with Humphrys driving on the outside of the box, before hitting a curling shot on the edge of the area which deflected off an opposition defender for a corner kick. Marc Roberts rose highest at the back post from the resultant set piece, but his header could only reach the arms of Mannion.

However, the visitors continued to press the Reds’ defence as the closing stages of the game approached, and equalised in the 77th minute, with Luke Berry hitting home past Slonina with a shot from just inside the eighteen yard box.

The Reds continued to fight for a second goal, and three minutes to go, Roberts almost came to the rescue again with a header following a Gent cross, but Mannion made a good save to deny the defender.

Charlton produced a second goal three minutes into stoppage time, with Slonina palming a cross into the path of the midfielder Berry, who was able to direct his effort into an unguarded Barnsley net to allow the visitors to take the lead.

However, the Reds were not done there, and with a minute to go, substitute Max Watters turned hero with an equaliser. Reds’ stopper Slonina hit a long ball from deep in the Barnsley half, with Roberts flicking on for Watters, who prodded home from close-range, ensuring that Darrell Clarke’s men came away from the game with a point.

FULL TIME: Barnsley FC 2-2 Charlton Athletic

Barnsley: Slonina, Russell, Roberts, De Gevigney, O’Keeffe, Gent, Earl, Keillor-Dunn (Jalo, 87), Humphrys (Cosgrove, 87), Yoganathan (Craig, 64), Connell (Watters, 78)

Subs not used: Cotter, Pines, Lofthouse

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