………… the game was a tale of two goalkeeping errors with first Reds Adam Davies and then Hull’s Eldin Jakupoviæ gifting the game’s two goals.
Barnsley approached the game giving youth a chance as trialist Reece Brown, and rising prospects Paul Digby, Danny Rose, Brad Abbott, George Smith (who signed his first professional contract last month), and Nana Boakye-Yiadom starting with summer signings Ross Turnbull, James Bailey and Sam Winnall all on the bench. Only Conor Hourihane from the new recruits started the match with Kane Hemmings missing through injury.
There was a surprise omission as Will Hoskins, who was expected to play before Danny Wilson decides his future at the start of next week did not make the squad.
The Reds faced a Hull City side fresh from an FA Cup Final in May and just five days before they start their first ever European campaign against AS Trencín. This impending historic moment did not stop Tigers boss Steve Bruce sending out a team with a combined total of 920 Premier League appearances.
It was errors between the posts that decided the match, first after 48 minutes Reds stopper Davies fired a clearance against Shane Long and the ball flew into the net. 15 minutes later Hull keeper Eldin Jakupovic was not to be outdone as Dale Jennings’ long ball totally caught the Swiss out and as the ball flew over his head Hourihane tapped home.
The 23 year old signing from Plymouth was clearly delighted with his Oakwell debut goal tweeting:
“First home game first goal”
Barnsley:
Adam Davies
Reece Brown
Lewin Nyatanga
Martin Cranie
Conor Hourihane
Dale Jennings
Paul Digby
Danny Rose
Brad Abbott
George Smith
Nana Boakye-Yiadom
Subs:
James Bailey (for Digby 45)
Sam Winnall (Abbott 45)
Reuben Noble-Lazarus (for Boakye-Yiadom 45)
Ross Turnbull (for Davies 71)
Rhys Oates (for Rose 71)
Dominic McHale (for Jennings 77)
Unused Subs:
Darren McKnight, George Maris, Jack Cowgill.
Hull:
Harper (Jakupovic 71), Rosenior (Brady 71), Elmohamady, Chester, Ince, Huddlestone, Long (Dudgeon 71), Snodgrass (Boyd 71), Livermore, McShane, Aluko (Quinn 71)
Unused Subs:
Brady, Sagbo, Townsend.