Reds lose play-off first leg 1-0

17/05/21 • By Doug O'Kane

Barnsley lost 1-0 at home to Swansea City in the first leg of their play-off semi-final at Oakwell on Monday evening.

The hosts took the lead near the end of a first half of few chances then the Reds were far better in the second half but missed key chances.

The second leg is at Swansea on Saturday at 6.30pm.

Valerien Ismael made three changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Norwich City in the last league game nine days earlier. Alex Mowatt returned to the side in place of Jasper Moon while Daryl Dike and Dominik Frieser replaced Carlton Morris and Conor Chaplin.

Swansea lined up in a 4-3-3 formation with former Reds captain Conor Hourihane one of their central midfielders while forwards Jamal Lowe and Andre Ayew, who caused the Reds problems in the two league wins for Swansea this season, were the wide forwards either side of Liam Cullen.

There were about 4,500 fans at Oakwell as supporters were allowed to attend for the first time since March last year. There were plenty of powerful moments before kick-off with the supporters reacting to the entrance of Ismael and his players.

Romal Palmer had the first shot of the game, curling over from just outside the box in the fifth minute.

Barnsley shaded most of the first half, without creating any real chances, then Swansea took the lead in the 38th minute.

Andre Ayew latched onto a pass by Kyle Naughton on the right of the box, cut past Michal Helik and bent a fine shot into the bottom left corner.

Barnsley responded well and almost levelled but Helik headed Palmer's right-wing cross too close to goalkeeper Freddie Woodman who saved.

Frieser was replaced at half-time by Morris whose shot was spilled by Woodman and Callum Brittain should have scored his first Barnsley goal but put his close-range rebound too close to the goalkeeper who made a fine save.

The Reds were on top early in the second half, with Woodrow's free-kick also saved by Woodman diving down to his left then the impressive Morris sliced a 15-yard volley over the bar.

Barnsley then had several men over on the counter-attack after a corner was cleared, but Dike's pass was just in front of Morris who would have been clean through on goal.

Dike's good pass almost put Morris through but Woodman just got there first then, at the other end, Lowe twice beat Toby Sibbick before curling wide from the right of the box.

Matt Grimes' 25-yard swerving effort was beaten away by Collins in the 85th minute. The Reds almost levelled in the 93rd minute when Woodrow's low left-wing corner was cleverly flicked by Morris and it looped onto the crossbar.

Barnsley (3-4-3): Collins; Sibbick, Helik, Andersen; Brittain, Mowatt, Palmer (J Wiliams 79mins), Styles; Frieser (Morris HT), Dike (Adeboyejo 88), Woodrow. Unused: Walton, Kitching, Chaplin, Halme, Sollbauer, Moon.

Swansea (4-3-3): Woodman; Naughton, Guehi, Cabango; Fulton, Grimes, Hourihane, Bidwell; Ayew, Cullen (Routledge 69mins), Lowe. Unused: Hamer, Bennett, Manning, Smith, Whittaker, Dhanda, Latibeaudiere, Roberts. Yellow cards: Ayew. Goals: Ayew 38.

AS IT HAPPENED

2 These 4,500 fans are certainly filling Oakwell, at least sound-wise. The Reds have given away an early free kick about 50 yards out, and it's played over to Conor Hourihane on the left who whips it into the box. Brad Collins collects.
8:20pm

5 Cauley Woodrow plays a well-weighted ball over the top to Dominik Frieser, who can't quite direct it inside to Daryl Dike. Decent chance from a frantic start.
8:20pm

5 Romal Palmer has time but hits his effort from the edge of the box over the cross bar. It was well-struck but he was just leaning back. First real moment of excitement for the home fans.
8:22pm

7 A long ball almost catches the Reds out as Jamal Lowe chases, but Michal Helik's confident header back to his 'keeper is held by Brad Collins on the edge of the box.
8:24pm

9 Conor Hourihane finds Jamal Lowe on the left and the forward cuts inside onto his right foot, trying a shot - but it's blocked by Callum Brittain.
8:24pm

10 Corner for Barnsley.
8:25pm

10 A training ground routine gone wrong for the Reds. Callum Styles runs short and dummies for Daryl Dike, but his flick backwards from the front post is misjudged and goes out of play.
8:27pm

12 A tussle between Daryl Dike and Ben Cabango as the ball over the top from Mads Andersen goes out for a goal kick. A little bit of shirt pulling going on.
8:27pm

12 Calls for a foul as Cauley Woodrow is tripped 20 yards out while cutting inside from the left, but the referee says the defender got the ball.
8:30pm

15 Daryl Dike pulled back for a foul on Marc Guehi, which the Reds feel was harsh. Dike was through if not for the whistle.
8:31pm

16 Toby Sibbick nearly finds Cauley Woodrow on the left of goal with a very direct long ball from the centre circle, but it's just a yard in front of him and collected by Freddie Woodman.
8:34pm

19 Mads Andersen's looping header is caught fairly comfortably by Freddie Woodman after a set piece.
8:35pm

20 minutes gone and Romal Palmer's long-range effort is probably the best chance for either side. Moments before his header on goal, Mads Andersen stopped Liam Cullen with a superb sliding tackle that sent the forward sprawling to the right of the box.
8:37pm

22 Daryl Dike is blown up for another foul and stamps his feet on the turf. He's getting very frustrated with some of these calls.
8:39pm

24 Brad Collins takes a free kick just behind the centre circle, which all three Barnsley centre-backs go up for, but it's too far and Cauley Woodrow can't get to it on the right post.
8:42pm

27 A long ball is dealt with very poorly by Marc Guehi as the centre-back trips over himself, and the chasing Dominik Frieser clatters into him. Swansea come away with the free kick.
8:45pm

29 It's getting a little heated here. The linesman flags for a Swansea throw but the referee waves the other way - an angry Valerien Ismael semi-sarcastically claps the ref and gets told to settle down.
8:46pm

31 Great play down the left sees Dominik Frieser wriggle free and cut it across for Daryl Dike, but the striker can't get to it and it's picked up by Freddie Woodman.
8:48pm

32 Two decent crosses from either side for the Reds, first Cauley Woodrow who's found with a great dink on the left by Mads Andersen. His left-footed ball is picked up by Callum Brittain who takes on his man with a dummy before firing it into the box. It's cleared as far as Romal Palmer, whose loose sideways ball is hoofed clear.
8:51pm

36 Liam Cullen gets some space to the left of goal and crosses it for Andre Ayew. He feels he's fouled as he jumps for the header, but nothing's given and Cauley Woodrow is back to clear.
8:53pm

38 Callum Brittain tries to dribble his way through but is dispossessed and Liam Cullen picks it up on the left wing. He spots Brad Collins off his line, but his attempt to chip him is awful and rolls across the floor to jeers from the fans.
8:54pm

GOAL!

39 Andre Ayew with a left-footed strike that sails into the far corner.
8:54pm

39 Andre Ayew was given time to cut in from the right and curled his effort well past Brad Collins. Possibly against the run of the half which Barnsley have had the better of.
8:56pm

40 Nearly an instant reply as Cauley Woodrow advances and plays it inside to Alex Mowatt, whose cross towards Dominik Frieser is picked up by Marc Guehi and Freddie Woodman collects. However, he takes it over the line for a corner.
8:59pm

44 Michal Helik with a header from right in the middle of goal, on the end of Romal Palmer's outswinging cross from the right. It's caught by Freddie Woodman fairly comfortably.
9:00pm

ADDED TIME

1 minute added time
9:01pm

HALF-TIME: Barnsley 0, Swansea City 1.
9:18pm

SUB OFF

Half-time substitution. Dominik Frieser off.
9:18pm

SUB ON

Carlton Morris on for the second 45.
9:19pm

46 We're underway.
9:21pm

47 Romal Palmer controls a lofted ball and turns, hitting a quality pass across to Callum Brittain. The wing-back just can't quite get to it to play it into the box.
9:22pm

48 Callum Brittain still can't find his first Reds goal. Carlton Morris drifts to the left and then cuts inside, placing a low shot towards the far post which is parried by Freddie Woodman. Brittain follows up but his effort is blocked for a corner.
9:23pm

50 Callum Brittain follows up his effort with some skilful footwork that foils the defender. His cross is blocked for a throw, and the ball eventually makes its way to Alex Mowatt who drives towards goal and wins another corner from the opposite side.
9:26pm

YELLOW CARD

52 Carlton Morris dribbles through and is winding up a strike but Andre Ayew drags him down, receiving a yellow.
9:27pm

53 Cauley Woodrow and Alex Mowatt both stand over the free kick 20 yards out, and it's the striker who takes - it's collected by Freddie Woodman who goes to ground, clutching the ball to his chest.
9:28pm

55 Carlton Morris swings a wild left at the ball after a free kick is pinged into the box. His strike from 12 yards is well over the bar.
9:31pm

57 The Reds are well on top this half, but have yet to make their dominance felt on the scoreline. Carlton Morris has been exceptional since coming on at half-time and looks most likely to be involved in any of his side's more dangerous chances.
9:37pm

63 The Reds break from a corner and have what almost looks like a five-on-one situation with a single defender backpedalling. Unfortunately Daryl Dike's crossfield pass is wayward and Carlton Morris on the left can't reach it. What a chance.
9:41pm

67 Toby Sibbick gives away a free kick on the visitors' left side, which Conor Hourihane takes. He almost bends it under the cross bar but Brad Collins sweeps it clear.
9:42pm

SUB OFF

69 Liam Cullen.
9:42pm

SUB ON

69 Wayne Routledge.
9:44pm

70 Callum Brittain is called upon to clear a cross as Jay Fulton breaks past Michal Helik and into the right channel. The defender did well to get his left boot to the ball.
9:45pm

71 Daryl Dike holds off his man well and chests down Callum Brittain's clearance on the right. The striker then turns it on for Carlton Morris, but Freddie Woodman does well to rush off his line.
9:46pm

72 Jamal Lowe nutmegs Toby Sibbick over and over again as he picks up on a long pass, and the striker bends his right-footed effort wide of the far post from the left of the box. Sibbick won't want to see that on a replay.
9:47pm

74 Cauley Woodrow feels he's tripped as he cuts inside onto his left foot, but nothing from the referee who has been lenient to a lot this evening.
9:51pm

SUB OFF

78 Romal Palmer.
9:51pm

SUB ON

78 Jordan Williams.
9:52pm

78 Callum Brittain will move into centre midfield in place of Romal Palmer, who's played very well. Jordan Williams to right-back.
9:57pm

83 Conor Hourihane gives away a free kick after going in very hard on Callum Styles in the air. Alex Mowatt takes from a central position 35 yards out, but it's dealt with easily by the Swansea defence.
9:59pm

85 Andrew Ayew tries his luck from the right having broken clear of the defence, but his powerful shot with his left is blocked. Matt Grimes then shoots from long range and Brad Collins parries before catching the ball at the second attempt.
10:00pm

86 Swansea corner from the left. Toby Sibbick had to give it away after Jordan Williams lost his battle with Wayne Routledge, but Sibbick's sliding tackle was an excellent one.
10:01pm

SUB OFF

88 Daryl Dike gets a great reaction from the Reds fans as he walks off the pitch.
10:01pm

SUB ON

88 Victor Adeboyejo on.
10:03pm

89 Conor Hourihane seemingly takes an age to take a set piece from well out on the right, and when he does it sails over the far post.
10:04pm

90 Jordan Williams whips a dangerous cross in for Cauley Woodrow, but he's beaten to it by Freddie Woodman. The away keeper's been very solid when called upon.
10:04pm

ADDED TIME

3 minutes added time
10:04pm

90+1 A corner is won by Victor Adeboyejo on the right.
10:05pm

90+2 The corner is just about dealt with by Swansea's low line. The Reds win another after some good work from Callum Styles on the left.
10:06pm

90+3 Cauley Woodrow takes the corner on the left. He plays it short to Carlton Morris on the near post, and his flick on touches the cross bar and is cleared.
10:07pm

FULL-TIME: Barnsley 0, Swansea City 1. The first leg goes to the visitors.

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