Barnsley head coach Conor Hourihane praised his team's performance after a nail-biting 5-4 penalty shootout victory against Fleetwood in the Carabao Cup. However, despite the win, Hourihane insists he's always striving for more from his squad.
The game ended 2-2 after regular time, with Barnsley goalkeeper Murphy Cooper becoming the hero by saving crucial penalties from Ryan Graydon and George Morrison, securing the win for the Sky Bet League One side.
"I thought there were some really, really good passages of play, good opportunities, and some good performances," Hourihane stated. "Yes, we won and we got through and the lads have done great. But it would just be nice to have seen that out and just come away with a 2-1 victory."
Key Moments in the Match
- Jon Russell opened the scoring for Barnsley in the 15th minute with a header from a Reyes Cleary cross.
- Fleetwood's Liam Roberts equalized just before half-time with a direct corner kick.
- Cleary's cross was deflected into the net by Fleetwood defender Toby Mullarkey in the 59th minute, putting Barnsley ahead 2-1.
- Owen Devonport leveled the score for Fleetwood in added time, forcing the penalty shootout.
Despite the loss, Fleetwood boss Pete Wild remained optimistic. "When they got the second goal, we could have easily crumbled. There was just so much desire and determination to stick to the task and understand how to solve problems."
What's Next for Barnsley?
Barnsley fans will be eager to see if Hourihane's drive for improvement translates into even stronger performances in upcoming matches. The team's resilience and ability to secure victory under pressure are promising signs for the season ahead. Keep following NewsRPT for all the latest updates on Barnsley FC!