The Alex leave it late to seal all three points
Goals from Connor Salisbury and Connor O’Riordan either side of a Jason Sraha goal secure all three points in a 2-1 win at home to Barnsley.
On a soggy afternoon at Alexandra Park, Alex Morris fielded a strong outfit to face the south Yorkshire side featuring the likes of Josh Lundstram, Billy Sass-Davies, and Regan Griffiths. All of whom played their part in securing the three points.
The first opportunity of the game arrived on 10 minutes, Regan Griffiths got in behind the Barnsley backline and despite attempts to gather the ball from the Tykes goalkeeper, Archie Brown the wet conditions meant the ball slipped away from his palms. Griffiths reacted quickest but his effort from 12 yards was well blocked by Jason Sraha.
Moments later, the visitors rattled the woodwork. Barnsley attacker, David Bremang broke away from his man to let fly from 20-yards. It had Richards beaten but the crossbar came to the Welshman’s rescue.
Almost immediately after, the frame of the goal came to the Alex’s rescue again. This time, Bremang curled his effort from the right side of the penalty area only for it to ricochet off the post.
Meanwhile, on 30 minutes, Joe Robbins struck an ambitious effort from range which looked to be heading in, only for the outstretched Brown between the sticks to push it away for a corner. The resulting corner saw Zac Williams connect, but his headed attempt drifted wide of the post.
Morris’ side began to gather momentum as Griffiths twice came close in quick succession. First a headed attempt from the centre of the area after Tabiner did well to find a cross. Then a volleyed effort, which if he directed anywhere else but into the goalkeeper’s midriff then it would’ve seen the Alex take the lead.
Though this wasn’t the last of the first half action, in fact Connor Salisbury sent the Railwaymen in at half time with a one nil lead. The youngster was alert to a loose pass from Brown and he coolly converted into an empty Barnsley net from 30 yards.
The visitors made amends inside the opening two minutes of the second half as they found themselves back on level terms. An in-swinging corner which Dave Richards came to claim was spilt into the path of Barnsley defender, Sraha to flick into the roof of the net.
On the hour mark, the Yorkshire side turned to their bench as they looked to take the lead. Jack Sherlock was replaced by Fabio Jalo who almost had an instant impact. After latching onto a loose pass from Williams, he let fly from 20-yards, but Richards made a strong reflex save to push over.
Tabiner aggravated his opposite number all afternoon and with 15 minutes left to play, he nearly pushed the Alex back in front. He twisted and turned to pull away from his marker before unleashing a low driven effort towards the far post but he could only watch it drift inches wide.
In the final knockings of the wet encounter, Connor O’Riordan came up with the goods to secure all three points. A centre half who finished like a striker. Robbins and Tabiner linked up for the latter to square his cross across goal for O’Riordan to angle his body perfectly and convert the ball across goal and into the far corner.
Three points in stormy conditions can only give the lads confidence going into their next match as they face Peterborough United at Alexandra Park and will look to make it successive home wins.
Starting XI: Richards, Johnson, Sass-Davies, O'Riordan, Williams, Lawton, Lundstram, Robbins, Griffiths, Tabiner & Salisbury