Six second half goals sunk Weston-super-Mare today (Saturday) after Championship side Barnsley made the long trip down south.
Weston 0
Barnsley 6 (Payne 50, 59, 63, Hourihane 72, Hammill 78, Bradshaw 80)
WESTON: Purnell, Withey, Camper, Cane, Pope (Jordan 45), Fortune (Mawford 45), McClennan (Davis 90), Powell (Barnes 45), Richards, Mullings (Wring 90), Kington
BARNSLEY: Townsend, Yiadom (Winnall 71), Cowgill, Nyatanga, Evans, Moncur (Bree 71), Scowen (Hourihane 45), Jackson, Watkins (Hammill 45), Payne (White 71), Tuton
The two clubs have had a good relationship since former Weston striker Bradley Ash signed for the Tykes last season.
However, Ash did not travel due to under-21 commitments.
Weston can take positives from this encounter- despite the margin of defeat - as they held their own in the first half.
The match may have been all Barnsley in terms of possession but, just as they did on Wednesday night against Bristol Rovers, Weston worked extremely hard without the ball.
The Seagulls were dealing with the pressure well in the opening stages and limited the newly-promoted Tykes to half chances.
Jason Pope was looking like a stalwart in defence as he headed away numerous crosses.
Weston were not looking to make up the numbers and Joe Mclennan combined well with Lewis Powell, after 23 minutes, only for Powell’s touch inside the box to let him down and allow the visitors to easily clear.
Callum Evans’ fierce shot just two minutes later was the first real save Luke Purnell had to make as the Seagulls continued to keep Sky Bet Championship side at bay.
As the half hour mark approached, the match sprung into life. Luke Purnell produced a standout performance, as he tipped a fantastic shot from Kayden Jackson over the bar.
As half time loomed, Barnsley continued to pile on the pressure and George Moncur’s brilliant shot from a dangerous free kick seemed to be goal bound.
But Luke Purnell had other ideas.
He dived to his right excellently and ensured the score was level at the break.
Both sides unsurprisingly made changes at half time and the vistor’s substitutions changed the game.
After just five minutes, Barnsley took the lead. Stefan Payne slotted home after making a charge inside the box and Purnell was finally beaten.
But almost immediately after, Joe Mcclennan hit the bar with a fantastic shot from a corner. Townsend got nowhere near it and the National League South side could only rue their bad luck.
Just before the hour, the visitors doubled their advantage.
Purnell did well to save a volley from Moncur but could only watch on as Payne hammered home the rebound.
Two of Barnsley’s best players on the day then combined as Adam Hammill’s cross found Payne, who headed home for his hat trick.
Tom Bradshaw then neatly played the ball through to Hourihane who coolly slotted home for Barnsley’s fourth, nine minutes later, and the floodgates had well and truly opened.
Substitute Adam Hammill was next to get in on the act with a 30-yard stunner.
Bradshaw then scored himself, just two days after signing for Barnsley from Walsall.
He headed home ten minutes from time thanks to a perfect cross from Aidy White.
While the scoreline was emphatic, Weston can now turn their attention to more realistic opposition as they head to Mangotsfield on Friday, with a 7.45pm kick off.
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