A round-up of some Barnsley FC related stories this week.
REDS PREPARING FOR CRUCIAL CLASH
Barnsley are preparing for a huge game with promotion rivals Derby County on Saturday.
The fourth-placed Reds are currently six points behind the second-placed Rams with a game in hand.
The Oakwell club are hoping for a large crowd like for the same fixture last year, launching another ’scarf day.’
Barnsley boss Neill Collins said: “It is a big game but it’s just one to look forward to.
“Nothing will be decided for either team by this game but it is a good one.”
Derby’s top-scorer James Collins has picked up a long-term injury but they are reportedly close to replacing him with veteran free agent Dwight Gayle.
TRIBUTES TO BETH ONE YEAR ON
Barnsley fans paid tribute to staff member Beth Sefton a year after she was taken seriously ill.
The head of ticketing was rushed to hospital a year ago last week after a ‘near-fatal aneurysm’ and has recently begun to return home part-time with the hope that she can return permanently soon.
The away end chanted ‘Beth Sefton, she’s one of our own’ in the 12th minute of the game at Fleetwood to mark 12 months since she became ill.
Her husband Kieron told the club website: “Throughout all of this, Beth has never forgot the club, the fans or her colleagues, and has mentioned them often.
“We thank everyone again for their support, well-wishes, touching anecdotes and everything else over the last year.”
WOMEN OFF TOP SPOT AHEAD OF CUP SEMI
Barnsley FC women fell off top spot after a second successive defeat but can reach a cup final at the weekend.
The Reds lost 3-2 at home to Wallsend in the North East Premier, slipping down to second below their visitors.
Wallsend surged into a 2-0 then 3-1 lead after 19 minutes, with Kirstie Nicholls scoring for the hosts. Nicholls pulled another back in the second half.
They now visit Hull United in the League Cup semi-final on Sunday.
ALKER NETS FIRST HALF HAT-TRICK FOR 18S
Luke Alker scored a first half hat-trick as Barnsley under 18s won 4-2 at home to Coventry City on Saturday.
Alker put the hosts in front three times before the break, with the first two cancelled out before he completed his treble on the stroke of half-time.
Owen Warburton added a fourth in the second half.
They are second, ten points off leaders Birmingham City but with three games in hand.
Barnsley under 21s are due to play home to Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday from 1pm.
SHEPHERD VOLLEYS IN FINE FIRST SENIOR GOAL
Barnsley loanee Jack Shepherd scored his first professional goal in Cheltenham Town’s 3-2 win over fellow strugglers Port Vale in League One.
Shepherd smashed in a fine volley to level at 2-2, while his fellow Barnsley loanee Kacper Lopata played for Vale.
There was also a clash of two Reds in League Two where Kyran Lofthouse took advantage of a mix-up between Oakwell club-mate Conor McCarthy and the Swindon goalkeeper to assist the opener in MK Dons’ 2-1 win.
LONG-SERVING PHYSIO HAS LEFT
LONG-SERVING physiotherapist Vikki Stevens has left Barnsley FC.
Vikki, a former footballer with Doncaster Belles, spent more than a decade with the Reds as academy physio then the first team role for the last two and a half years.
She is expected to take up another role within football.
