BARNSLEY’S first team missed out on a trip to London in their play-off final this weekend but the under 18s will visit the capital in their play-offs.
The young Reds, who finished second in their division, visit champions of the south league Charlton Athletic tomorrow at the Addicks’ training ground.
If they win the one-legged semi-final, they will play the final against either Bristol Rovers and Birmingham City.
Head coach Nicky Eaden said: “The lads are all looking forward to it.
“Some lads struggle in these big games and some grow.
“We don’t mind putting them under pressure to win games.
“It will be tough.
“Charlton are strong. They have good individual players.
“We lost 3-2 at home and could have won it.
“Two or three of their players from when we beat them last season have played for their first team this season.”
The under 18s are in the play-offs for a third successive season, having lost to Charlton in the semi-final two years ago then won on penalties against the Addicks in the final a year ago.
Eaden said: “We’ve done well to get second.
“We’ve had more injuries and more first years in the team this time.
“We don’t have as many big, tall lads so that has gone against us at times but we have good footballers who work hard.
“We’ve punched above our weight which is always the Barnsley way.
“The last time an under 18s team won the league was when I was playing and Eric (Winstanley) was manager.
“We won two in a row.
“It’s only my opinion but I think it benefits you if lads come through the system into the first team.
“They have more affinity with the club.
“Barnsley has a history of producing good young players.”
Hoyland man Eaden – one of the 1997 promotion heroes – is at the end of his second season back in Barnsley as under 18s coach.
“It’s great for me.
“The under 18s are a really good group to work with.
“Sometimes, at first team level, you don’t do a lot of coaching because there is so much match preparation.”
They finished their league season with a 2-0 win at home to Watford on Saturday.
Rafael Monteiro and Geoffrey Lundoloki got the goals.
They finished second, five points clear of those below them and ten behind winners Birmingham City.
Meanwhile, Fabio Jalo scored a stunning free-kick as Barnsley under 21s finished their season with a 2-0 home win over Burnley on Tuesday.
The Portugal under 19s star curled in from 20 yards from just outside the box on 41 minutes then, just after half-time, stole the ball off a defender and won a penalty which was scored by Theo Chapman.
The under 21s have won six and drawn one of their last seven games, scoring 21. They finished fourth, a point off the play-offs.
