Last-gasp Lewis to the rescue for Hourihane

By Nick Johnson

BARNSLEY 1

Lewis 90+2

BARNSLEY: Flavell 7, De Gevigney 7, Pines 5 (Russell 63, 6), McCarthy 7, Benson 6 (Bland 19, 7), Nwakali 7, Connell 6 (Jalo 62, 7), O’Keeffe 7, Phillips 6 (Lewis 77, 7), Watters 6 (Humphrys 62, 6), Keillor-Dunn 7. Subs not used: Hayton, Rodrigues.

CAMBRIDGE U 1

Brophy 9

CAMBRIDGE: Bishop 7, Gibbons 7, Morrison 7, Watts 7, Malone 6, Digby 6, Stevenson 6, Brophy 8, Kachunga 6, Stokes 6 (N’Lundulu 79, 6), Ballard 7. Subs not used: Stevens, Bennett, Okedina, Hoddle, Kaikai, Loft.

Att: 10,790 Rating: ★★★★★ Ref: Richard Eley 7/10

CONOR Hourihane, who was taking charge of his first home game as Barnsley’s interim head coach, was enthusiastic after their draw against Cambridge.

A dramatic stoppage-time equaliser from Jon Lewis rescued a point for the hosts after the U’s took an early lead via James Brophy.

Hourihane said: “It’s good how we finished; we kept at it and kept going, which is pleasing.

“Full credit goes to the academy lads. It was refreshing to see – they excited me – but we need to see more from the older lads, and I’ve told them that.

“The early goal kills the plan in terms of they sat back, and they’ve got something to hold on to. It’s a poor goal from our point of view.

“Ninety per cent of the crowd stayed behind afterwards and clapped because they had a bit of a go at the end. I’ve just told the lads that’s the effort they want.”

Discussing the tactical changes that led to the equaliser, Hourihane added: “Brilliant for Jon, credit to him for being there and attacking the back post.

“Top-class delivery from Fab. An opportunity has come along, and they have both taken it.”

Hourihane’s side got off to a nightmare start when Cambridge took an early lead. Dom Ballard fashioned a reverse pass through to Brophy, who finished low and hard past Kieran Flavell.

The visitors could have doubled their lead shortly after, though somehow, the ball did not find the back of the net after a goalmouth scramble. After the break, the hosts pressed for an equaliser, with Adam Phillips and Max Watters both going close to scoring.

Barnsley had two appeals for a penalty waved away in quick succession.

Davis Keillor-Dunn crashed an effort into the bar in the dying moments before the hosts scored an equaliser in stoppage time.

Fabio Jalo’s deep cross was headed in by Lewis as the substitutes combined to rescue a point.

Cambridge boss Neil Harris was frustrated at the concession of the late goal, but was proud of his side’s display. He said: “We were so close, weren’t we? I’ve just said to the players that I don’t need to go in and rant. I’m not going to criticise the players today. Outstanding.

“We played with real structure and discipline. We scored a really good goal and could have got a second before half-time. But it just shows if you don’t get that second and third goal, it comes back to bite you.”