JOSH Benson’s opening day miss at Plymouth Argyle flashed through his mind when he was presented with a near identical opportunity at Middlesbrough in the EFL Cup on Wednesday.
But, unlike in Devon when his close-range effort was somehow blocked by a defender after he looked certain to score, this time he fired home in injury-time to secure a 1-0 win over Championship Boro.
Benson told the Chronicle: “When I saw it roll out on the rebound, the Plymouth chance came into my head.
“It reminded me of it a lot.
“I thought ‘make sure you put this one in’.
“Lucky enough, I did.”
It was the midfielder’s first goal for the club, having lost form badly last season after having Covid-19 and being injured as Barnsley were relegated from the Championship.
Benson said: “I think it will give me more confidence.
“I want to add goals and assists to my game.
“One of the key points is I am feeling fully fit, confident and raring to go.
“Last season made me stronger mentally. There will always be setbacks in football, and last season was definitely one of them, but we have to take it on the chin and look forward.”
Benson is hoping to continue the momentum from the cup win tomorrow when Barnsley visit Derby County who have signed a series of former Championship and Premier League stars.
“The top ten teams in League One are pretty much Championship sides.
“We’re not going to look at it like they’re better than us.
“We’re going there to win.”
