Conor Hourihane hails hard-working midfield duo after Barnsley victory

Barnsley head coach Conor Hourihane thought his side’s performance in a 3-2 victory at home to Reading was “a bit flat” – but praised midfield duo Luca Connell and Jonathan Bland for their performances.

The hosts took the lead early in the first half as Josh Earl headed home from a Caylan Vickers corner.

Jack Marriott scored his first league goal for the Royals to equalise after Lewis Wing’s through ball was misjudged by Murphy Cooper in the Barnsley goal.

Davis Keillor-Dunn restored Barnsley’s lead in the 55th minute, heading in a Nathanael Ogbeta cross before Adam Phillips made it 3-1 from the penalty spot four minutes later.

Daniel Kyerewaa halved the deficit in the 66th minute and Wing almost levelled in stoppage time but his free-kick was expertly saved by Cooper.

The result leaves Barnsley third, one point off top-of-the-table Cardiff, while Reading dropped back into the relegation zone.

Hourihane said: “I asked the lads for a big start and I thought we started the game really well. Overall I thought we were a little bit flat, if I’m honest.

“I always want my players focused and being relentless.

“I just thought we were flat.”

He added: “I think Luca and Blandy were top today as a pairing.

“Luca is performing at a high level so far this season and Blandy, ever since I’ve got the job, has been so reliable.

“I’ve mentioned this so many times. I thought the two of them were the foundation in the team.”

Noel Hunt believed his Reading side should have taken something from the game, but admitted the goals they gave away were “too soft”.

He said: “I thought we started the game slow and caused ourselves our own problems in the first 15 minutes.

“We went a goal down and after that I think they had one shot on target in the first half.

“After we scored we started believing and controlling the game.

“Then in the second half we started a bit slow and again the goals are too soft.

“You can’t come away from home and score two goals and create the chances we created and then lose the game.

“It’s something that we’ve got to work really hard on.”