Barnsley Friendly Report

By: Paul Holmes
Date: 05/12/2000

In this afternoon's friendly reserve match between the Mariners and Barnsley , a mixture of young pros and trialists went down two goals to one against a similar the Tykes team. In the Town team were 19 year old Argentinean striker Franco Vottola and his compatriot defender Maximiliano Ginobili

Also in the team were Alan Pouton, Adam Buckley, Andy Smith, Steve Croudson and Matthew Bloomer. Town started the better of the two and a long range effort from Vottola just sailed over. It was Barnsley however who controlled the game pretty much after that and a excellent through ball by Geoff Thomas was slotted underneath the advancing Steve Croudson.

Almost instantly after the break good work by Adie Moses down the right resulted in Matty Appleby heading in the cross. To their credit Town fought back and Ginobili looked excellent alongside Matthew Bloomer. Ten minutes later Town pulled a goal back when a scramble following Adam Buckley's corner resulted in a clearance hitting Andy Smith which flew past the keeper. Moments later the ball was passed back to Croudson who's touch let him down and he had to bring down the Tykes striker. If this had been a proper game he would have walked without a doubt.

The free kick was easily saved but seconds later a spot kick was given for no apparent reason, however Croudson dived left and easily saved a poor effort. 5 minutes from the end Alan Pouton worked his way past 3 defenders and was pulled down on the edge of the box, Buckley took the free kick which was headed wide by Bloomer.

Overall both Ginobili and Vottola looked very good and probably have a very good chance of being signed permanently. In the Main stand directors box sat Lennie Lawrence, John Cockerill, Jason Batty, Menno Willems, Knut Anders Fostervold, scout Steve Thompson, both Vottola's and Ginobili's agent Steven Firth, David Nielsen, Barnsley manager Dave Bassett and Barnsley goalkeeping coach Andy Roades (who also coaches towns keepers for one day a week) Also sat in the main stand was Town legend Ron Cockerill, he joined the other dozen non players/officials at the game.

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