Lincoln saw their efforts unfortunately fall just short against a strong Barnsley U18 side, with the Tykes winning in extra-time.
Fabio Jaló was electric for the Tykes and forced a good save out of Isaac Allan with the first chance of the game The Imps went the other way a few minutes later, with Bailey Adamson’s effort being saved well by Rogan Ravenhill.
In a game of very few chances, it looked like the goal may never come for both teams. Going in at the break at 0-0 was a sign of the spirited performance from Ash Foyle’s side up to this point.
In the 53rd minute Barnsley took the lead when Emmaisa Nzondo stole the ball from Allan and slotted into an empty net. Lincoln nearly responded instantly, but Charlie Parks’ headed effort was comfortably saved by Ravenhill in the Tykes goal.
The Imps were then given an opportunity to level when Zane Okoro was fouled in the box, with the referee awarding a penalty. Bailey Adamson stepped up and left Ravenhill with no chance, finding the top left corner.
Lincoln had a huge chance to wrap the game up late on, but Okoro saw his effort saved after some fantastic work by Russell Berko creating the chance for the Imps.
With the 90 minutes up, the teams could not be separated, and extra-time would follow.
Allan made a huge save to deny Barnsley goal scorer Nzondo, keeping the Imps cup chances alive. Unfortunately, Barnsley took the lead again in the 113th minute, with the fantastic Jaló striking his effort in off the post.
Lincoln had one more chance in the dying seconds, but Parks’ headed effort crashed off the bar, and with that, Lincoln were out of the FA Youth Cup.
After the game, both Parks and Foyle said they were “gutted” to bow out in the manner that Lincoln did, but proud of a spirited performance against a side in the youth category above that of the Imps. Foyle ‘couldn’t be more proud’ of the way that his team executed their game plan.
