FC HALIFAX TOWN 2 - 0 BARNSLEY

The last time I saw my beloved Barnsley play football was the day we were relegated in Middlesbrough some ten weeks ago. I felt as low as ever that afternoon, you end up questioning what the point of it all is. I actually felt glad that it was over, that I could perhaps enjoy my weekends for a few months without the inevitable misery that is watching the reds. The appalling display from England at the World Cup only added to my gloomy outlook regards football. 

Yet here I am, compiling a report on the reds first friendly of pre season. Why do I do it? I have no idea. However, being a resident of Bradford made this trip away a short one for me and after finishing my shift at work I was at The Shay an hour later, in the pleasant sunshine, ready to be reinvigorated by Danny Wilson's exciting, young squad. What could be better? What could go wrong? 

The East Stand of The Shay Stadium

The first thing I couldn't help but notice was just how many reds supporters had turned out. A remarkable following everything considered. And in buoyant mood throughout the first half, rattling out the full repertoire of BFC songs and anthems, as well as the old classic 'Pineapple' ditty once reserved for Nottingham Forest's former striker and Fantasy Football favourite, Jason Lee but now aimed at our own Tom Kennedy, sporting his new 'ponytail in a bunch' hairdo. It was to prove the one and only thing that 'TK' pulled off on the day.. 

The reds lined up in what appeared at first glance to be a conventional 4-4-2 shape, but after a while it seemed clear that we had no real left winger as such. We had Luke Steele in goal, a back four (R to L) of Darren McKnight, Martin Cranie, Jack Cowgill and Kennedy, a midfield of Reuben Noble-Lazarus (right wing), Paul Digby, Brad Abbott and Conor Hourihane (all pretty much central), and Danny Rose partnering trialist Will Hoskins up front (who did offer some width on the left). 

This isn't a proper match report. I'm sure there'll be some of those knocking about online somewhere. This is me giving you my two penneth on events from a Tarn perspective, so if it doesn't read well, like a proper match report it's because it isn't one. 

BFC Flags

We looked quite relaxed initially. There were neat passages of play and save for the odd direct foray forward from the hosts it was a standard pre season game between sides of differing quality/levels of ability. New signing Hourihane looked neat and composed on the ball, Noble-Lazarus was dangerous coming inside and Rose was a constant menace in between the Town defence. There were clever touches here and there from Hoskins too and young Cowgill at centre half (a real unit he is) was dominant in the air. Pleasant, relaxed and a matter of time until we opened the scoring. I was enjoying it. It had been a while.. 


The first chance I can recall came from Noble-Lazarus as he ghosted in at the near post and his well hit volley with his weaker foot was well saved by home keeper Glennon. Soon after, Rose did everything right as he latched onto Hourihane's ball through, rounded the keeper with good footwork but his finish lacked purpose and was cleared off the line. He was to be denied again just moments later when Hoskins' shot/cross fell kindly for him at the far post but he couldn't make a decent connection and it went wide. 

Pre match handshakes

The home side forced Steele into a fine save with a rasping drive from Pearson, tipped over for the corner. Halifax offered a threat in a direct manner. No nonsense, got within range and let fly on numerous occasions. 
They took the lead though in bizarre fashion. Both Cowgill and Abbott seemed to think the other would deal with a loose ball in the box, Pearson nipped between them, and his clever touch and then poked finish was too good for Steele in goal. Great goal for them. Comical from us. All too familiar. But these things happen. 

It was about five minutes later that I left Shane, the pal I was with and disappeared off for a toilet break and to see if I could get a pint. Unfortunately, they told us they weren't selling any at half time. Not sure if they'd sold out. I doubt they were expecting such a big turnout to be honest. So that disappointed me, just as the news of a second Halifax goal did upon my return to my seat.. 

I'm told by Shane that it was a simple route one goal, where the keeper's goal kick reached Scott Boden who outmuscled McKnight before firing past Steele to double the hosts lead. Half time. 

The sizeable BFC contingent

The second half saw seven changes immediately, as Adam Davies, Jean-Yvés M'Voto, Lewin Nyatanga, James Bree, George Smith, Dale Jennings and Chris O'Grady came on. The players departing being Steele, Kennedy, McKnight, Cowgill, Digby, Rose and Noble-Lazarus. 

The system employed changed, too. We went to a 3-5-2 shape with Bree and Smith as wing backs, Jennings in the free role behind Hoskins and O'Grady. From our perspective, there was little in the way of chances created, especially early on. In fact, it was Halifax who looked most likely to further affect the scoreline. 

Our best chance came from a poor Jennings corner which somehow fell kindly for Bree whose reactionary effort from just yards out was clawed away by Glennon only to fall for others in red inside the six yard box but after a scramble or two the Town keeper grasped onto the ball. 

We had other 'opportunities'. There was one instance where O'Grady was practically one on one with a defender, got into the box and looked to go down easily in an attempt to get a penalty. Nowt doing. 
There were glimpses of the undoubted skills possessed by Jennings, but both his and O'Grady's speculative efforts were always poor and never threatening. 

TK and the 'pineapple'

There were three further subs made, as McKnight reappeared to take up a position in midfield replacing Hourihane, Nana replaced Hoskins and Dominic McHale came on in place of Cranie. The reds then reverted back to a 4-4-2, with Nana now O'Grady's partner up top. He and McHale would go on to show up well in their 20 minutes game time, both looking to go forward whenever possible, retaining possession and offering a threat as the game fizzled out. 



But the last real chance was to be Halifax's, as they twice looked certain to score but a blocked shot and a save at the death from Davies kept the result from matching last years trip to the same ground. It ended 2-0, and many of the supporters had already left by now having seen little in the way of excitement. 

Full time debriefing

So what did I make of it then? Well, before that, just another mention for the terrific backing given by the supporters who made the journey over today. There were no boos, no abuse of players, just good, solid support for the lads although it did somewhat die out in terms of singing in the second half. 

Such were the numbers that turned out, the stewards had to open a gate in the first half to allow a hundred or so reds into the terraced stand behind Steele's goal. However, in doing so this encouraged another hundred or so fans to leave their seats and join the others. There wasn't any aggro. They took up their positions by the marvellous BFC flags and immediately began to sing from the rafters about their beloved Barnsley.. 

BFC fans moving behind the goals

Singing loud and proud

As for the reds players, it's difficult to find many positives. I'm 32 (next month) and not daft. I know that these 'games' aren't anything more than glorified training sessions. They're meant to help with fitness, to build up understanding etc. The result is rather meaningless when all's said and done. 
But you do look for something as a supporter. Something to give you hope for the season ahead. Especially after the season we've just suffered.. 


But the bright and positive signs were few and far between. The negatives much more prominent. So forgive me if what I'm about to say is deemed unnecessary at this point. But I'm only saying it as I saw it. 

The performance of Kennedy at left back was frankly embarrassing. In a team full of kids, you expect the older heads to offer something in the way of experience and bravery, a guiding hand so to speak. To take some responsibility. None of that was forthcoming from TK. I think Shane summed it up best when saying his first thought always seems to be 'go backwards'. It's always negative. He can't lack confidence. I've heard him speak, I've seen the tattoos, the hairstyle. So why is he so damned negative? There's very few things I'd like more than to see Kennedy prove me and a lot more of us wrong. But if today was owt to go on, expect another year of disappointment.

To balance that up, I thought George Smith did well once replacing Kennedy. The fact he's not Tom Kennedy helps, but at last we had a left back who won headers, had some pace and ability to try and beat a man, and a lad who played like he cared. He'd be first choice for me if those two are our options in that position. 


I don't think Cranie was up to much either. I'd say both Nyatanga second half and Cowgill first half were better in that position. Big Jean made simple passes look impossible, often finding the stands rather than a teammate. It was the M'Voto we feared under Flitcroft, not the M'Voto we grew to appreciate under Danny. 

Three of the kids were quite poor for me this afternoon. I will qualify that by saying that yes it's just one, meaningless game. I'll say that for every player who appeared. But that's not stopping me giving an opinion on their efforts today. 
I think Digby, Abbott and McKnight need to improve. The latter looked okay initially at full back, but got lost in no mans land once or twice. They are three central midfielders though by trade, and on this showing, had little in their lockers barring an ability to sit in the centre of the park and play simple balls. All were too easily dispossessed. All offered nothing of note in either an offensive or defensive setting. Credit however to Abbott who was the only player to complete 90 minutes and never gave in despite having little joy all afternoon. He was no worse than the likes of Dawson, Perkins et al. Just a thought there for the doom mongers. 

Halifax strike

As I say, there were decent cameos from both McHale and Nana. The latter came in for some rough treatment from Town number six Ainge who was eventually booked. But the lad stood up well for himself, looked strong but quick and was probably the highlight in terms of individual displays for me. 

I thought Noble-Lazarus did ok first half without being too impressive. I still wish we'd play him through the middle but yes, he was our main threat aside from Rose. On Danny, I prefer to commend him for his work rate and getting into positions from which to miss chances than actually slate him for those misses. He'll do us proud when called upon. I thought he was decent today. 

I'm hoping that if we do have to sell O'Grady he plays for his new club as he did when coming on for us today. Shadow of the colossal figure of last season. Again, it's just one game and I've seen Chris have more good days than bad. Can't say that about many others at the club, so I'm not going to hammer him for being terrible in a friendly for 45 minutes.. 

Young James Bree was like a fish out of water on occasion, muscled off the ball here and there and looks every bit the kid that he is. None of that surprised me. It's a steep learning curve for him and the other kids. But he's got talent, and these sort of games will do him (and the others) the world of good. He made one terrific raid forward from right back but was eventually schooled by his opponent who saw him off and the ball out of play for a goal kick. 

I wasn't really impressed with Hoskins. He tried, and does have good technical ability and attempted some clever runs but he obviously lacks any kind of sharpness and looked slower than I remember him. Maybe that'll come, in time? But I think he's a gamble that I'd not bother taking if I was basing it on that one game. All of Nana, Noble-Lazarus, McHale and Rose looked more promising in terms of forwards. But, I repeat, it was just one game and that is all I've reported on. A meaningless, boring friendly. That we lost. The only way is up, right?



It was pretty awful to watch on the whole, I can't pretend it didn't disappoint me and I admit that the lack of recruitment is now a worry for me. More so in the knowledge that they're off to Italy this week so any further strengthening of the squad will surely be put on hold until they return? 

But we all knew it was going to be difficult didn't we? I know that more than I did before 3pm today... 



Quick comment on the kit - I actually don't mind it now I've seen it in 'action'. It's growing on me. And in terms of squad numbers, here are the ones I can remember: 



Smith 20 
O'Grady 9 
Hemmings 10 (was on the bench but not as a sub.. injured I believe) 
McHale 22 
Noble-Lazarus 19 
Jennings 11 
Hourihane 8 
Digby 14 
Abbott 17 
Kennedy 4 
Cranie 6 
Nyatanga 5 
M'Voto 15 
McKnight 21 
Rose 16 
Nana 23 (I think) 




And that's about all for this update. Big thanks to Spencer Davies for providing most of the photographs in this post. Much appreciated. My phone's useless.

Thanks for reading. Feel free to comment below. 


Whitey