Lincoln City rounded off a double-header of friendly action with many more questions than answers in Yorkshire.
After a promising but ultimately meaningless game earlier in the day with six trialists, a full XI of City players were beaten 3-0 by League One Barnsley.
A completely different XI lined up for the second game of the day, and it felt very familiar. George Wickens, Tendayi Darikwa, Adam Reach, Ryley Towler, Reeco Hackett, Conor McGrandles, Rob Street, Callum Elder, Tom Hamer, Ivan Varfolomeev, and Deji Elerewe made up the starting XI. Ben House and Freddie Draper were among the subs, the former his first outing in public this pre-season.
City made a bright start, creating the first clear opening after three minutes. McGrandles released the Imps down the left-hand side, where Elder and Towler combined before the latter pulled the ball back for Varfolomeev. His effort beat the goalkeeper but struck the crossbar.
Barnsley immediately broke up the other end and took the lead. Despite Varfolomeev recovering his position, Kelly found space inside the area and scored from around 12 yards.
Elerewe required treatment for a head injury following a long throw after eight minutes, although he was able to return to the action. City continued to play some decent football, with Varfolomeev driving a free kick into a crowded penalty area before the ball was cleared.
McGrandles, Hackett and Reach were all involved in another promising passage of play after 19 minutes, although the resulting cross came to nothing. The Imps continued to move the ball well without creating too much, with Hackett, Street and Varfolomeev combining during another attack shortly after the half-hour mark.
Hackett received the first booking of the afternoon after 28 minutes, arriving late on Connell and prompting several Barnsley players to shout that it was only pre-season. Connell was then shown a yellow card two minutes later following a late challenge on Varfolomeev.
Street took a boot to the face after 32 minutes, although no foul was awarded, with the contact appearing accidental. Towler became the third player booked six minutes later after pulling Richards down on the right flank.
City came close again shortly before the interval. A deep corner was met by Elerewe, whose header was cleared off the line, although the referee had already blown his whistle.
After two Barnsley corners, a big Wickens punt upfield found Street, who cleverly used his body to beat Earl, but could only stab at goal, leaving Slicker to scramble back and collect.
There was still time for a second, and a soft one at that. City looked comfortable, but a long ball to the back stick was nodded into the danger zone, and Kirk headed home from six yards.
Towler made way for Draper at the start of the second half.
City won an early corner. Hackett pulled the delivery across goal, but Barnsley hacked the ball clear.
Richards then latched onto a long ball over the top at the other end, although he scooped his effort well wide. City responded with another neat move as Elerewe and Street combined to release Draper, but he was tackled before he could shoot, earning a corner.
Barnsley created an opening after 52 minutes through a smart move which began with the goalkeeper. McGeehan eventually received the ball in a shooting position, but his effort was deflected over. Connell also saw a shot blocked inside the area five minutes later as City became a little sloppy during the opening stages of the half.
Alker was replaced by Cleary on the hour mark before City fashioned a half-chance. Darikwa delivered from the right and Hackett headed towards goal, but Slicker held comfortably. Hackett then made way for House shortly afterwards.
City threatened again from a corner after 68 minutes. The ball dropped loose inside the area, but Elerewe could not adjust himself to make contact before Darikwa’s return into the danger area was cleared.
Kirk was replaced by Town for Barnsley before the visitors attacked down the right. Elder read the danger well and stepped in to cut out the cross.
Barnsley were reduced to ten men after 74 minutes when Earl was shown a red card for a professional foul. Street beat him for pace before Earl leaned into the striker and bundled him over, although the decision appeared debatable.
Reach rolled the resulting free kick into the path of Varfolomeev, who struck powerfully past the post. Shepherd then replaced Richards for Barnsley, with further changes following as Gale made way for O’Keefe and Connell was replaced by Bland.
Cleary escaped down the left after 82 minutes and sent an effort wide. The shot prompted a cheer and a few noises from the crowd, although it was never particularly close.
McGeehan and Street then came together, leading to some pushing and shoving. It had not been a bad-tempered game, but there had been an element of pettiness. Wickens sent the resulting free kick forward towards Street, only for the ball to be taken off his toe before he could bring it under control.
Barnsley added a third late on as Cleary outmuscled Hamer and finished across Wickens, adding gloss to a scoreline that perhaps didn’t fully reflect the play.
City still had chances: Street drew a save for Slicker, which brought a corner, but the delivery was headed down and wide by Draper. That was the final meaningful action of the game, and as the whistle sounded, Lincoln City fans could be forgiven for wondering what the next few weeks hold.
Attendance was 2012, 170 City fans.
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