Advantage Swansea City after captivating first-leg in South Yorkshire

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Barnsley and Swansea City played out the first-leg of their play-off semi-final tie at Oakwell, with the Swans coming out on top in an enthralling encounter.

The hosts started the more lively out of the two teams, with USA international Daryl Dike imposing his presence from the get-go on Swansea’s young defensive duo of Ben Cabango and Marc Guehi.

From the very start of proceedings, the Barnsley faithful made their presence felt after a 13-month absence from Oakwell, producing a raucous atmosphere that has been absent from the game for so long.

In spite of the positive start for Barnsley, the visiting Swansea took the lead against the run of play. A piece of solo excellence from Andre Ayew who bent a beautiful strike into the corner of the goal past a stranded Brad Collins.

This would prove to be the key moment of the first-half, after an impressive first 45 minutes from Steve Cooper’s side who dug deep, fending off a barrage of pressure from the Tykes before hitting them on the counter-attack.

Barnsley started the second-half with even more intensity and had a huge chance to level the game when Freddie Woodman produced a double save to deny substitute Carlton Morris and Callum Brittain.

Substitute Morris continued to pile the pressure on Swansea’s defence and his solo run earned the Tykes a free-kick on the very edge of the 18-yard box. While Cauley Woodrow saw his subsequent strike saved it was another indication that Valerien Ismael’s side were going to continue to terrorise the visitors.

The second 45 minutes continued with the fast-paced nature that had become the theme of the game and Swansea once again stood forward and revealed their credentials. An incredible piece of skill from Jamal Lowe worked an opportunity to shoot at goal but the former Portsmouth winger’s attempt failed to trouble Collins.

At this point, Barnsley were being dragged into a precarious situation as Steve Cooper’s Swansea attempted to take the sting out of the game and see out what would be a mightily impressive result.

In stoppage time, the hosts came agonisingly close to rescuing what would have been a vital draw. Carlton Morris’ flick at goal clipped the crossbar to prevent the South Yorkshire side from a draw that you could argue they deserved.

Ultimately, Steve Cooper’s Swansea saw the game out to take an important victory, which gives them an advantage ahead of the reverse fixture in South Wales on Saturday evening.

Man of the Match – Andre Ayew

There were a handful of players who sparkled in the melee in South Yorkshire, but perhaps none more so than former West Ham winger Andre Ayew who put in a mightily impressive display which included a moment of solo excellence that would ultimately separate the sides.

In such a hard-fought encounter it was always going to take something special to take the advantage out of the first-leg and it was the most high-profile player on the pitch, who produced this moment of inspiration to put Swansea one-foot into the play-off final.

Ayew really stepped up once again when the Swans really needed him showcasing all his pedigree and talent that makes him one of the best players in the league, and it’s certain that Barnsley will have to do a better job of combating his threat in the second-leg.

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