Barnsley 1 Millwall 0: Youngster shows the way for Barnsley’s new crop

The youngest player in Football League history at just 15, his star appeared to be falling, however, as first-team opportunities dried up. Now, after coming off the bench to score Barnsley’s winner against Millwall this weekend, Noble-Lazarus is arguably ‘back from the dead’.

Manager Mark Robins says the Huddersfield-born winger should never have been plunged into first-team action at such a tender young age.

It was September 2008, in a Championship game at Ipswich Town, when the club’s former manager Simon Davey handed Noble-Lazarus his debut, aged just 15 years and 45 days.

Although it was only a six-minute appearance, it grabbed the attention of the national media and turned an unknown schoolboy into the talk of the game.

Since then, he has made a further 10 substitute appearances and only one start for the Tykes, sparking fears that he had possibly lost his way.

Saturday’s performance against Millwall, however, delivered a reminder of his growing talent and also helped bring the curtain down on the season in style.

His first senior goal, a 25-yard drive which beat Millwall goalkeeper David Forde at his right- hand post, not only secured victory for Barnsley but secured the club’s highest league finish for a decade, 17th in the Championship.

Although his current deal is about to expire, manager Robins has already decided that he wants the 17-year-old to stay.

Robins will announce who is staying or going as soon as club owner Patrick Cryne, who missed Saturday’s game, has clarified the club’s spending budget.

But commenting on Noble-Lazarus, Robins said: “In my opinion, he was thrown in a little bit too soon. He was hailed as a ‘wonderkid’ when he was just 15 and that is a lot to take on board for a youngster.

“He wasn’t ready for it at that stage and we had to set him back a million miles,” he added. “When that happens, there is a danger they can go out of the game.

“But he has responded and matured and he is still only 17. The talent is undoubtedly there and he is starting to come good but we still need to give him time. This is not the finished article yet.”

Robins is urging all the club’s up-and-coming players to keep their feet on the floor if they want to enjoy successful careers.

Defender John Stones, only 16, was on the bench for the first time on Saturday while other teenagers such as Danny Rose and Jordan Clark have been involved over the last few weeks.

“Nowadays, there is a tendency for players to want too much too soon and, when they don’t get it, they sulk and tail off,” warned Robins. “The youngsters have got to take note of players like Bobby Hassell and Andy Gray – who have been at this level most of their careers because they work hard. That’s got to be a lesson.”

With nothing at stake for either club on Saturday, there was inevitably an ‘end-of-season’ feel about this game for long spells.

Only in the second half, after the introduction of Noble-Lazarus and a change of attitude from both sides, did things liven up.

The Tykes had shown only glimpses of real hunger in the first half; Hassell poked a half-chance wide, Stephen Foster headed a Kieran Trippier free-kick over, and a Jason Shackell header was clawed from under the bar by goalkeeper Forde.

Millwall, whose bid for play-off qualification had ended the previous weekend, initially looked the better side but wasted decent openings and allowed their standards to slip.

With on-loan striker Marlon Harewood failing to shake off a hamstring injury, Robins had stuck with the same eleven who picked up a point in the 2-2 draw at Sheffield United. His formation was slightly different, reverting to a 4-4-2 after going 4-5-1 against the Blades.

Millwall were unable to test Luke Steele in the first 25 minutes but Barnsley’s goalkeeper then made low stops in quick succession to deny Steve Morison and Alan Dunne.

There was a growing urgency in Millwall’s game by the half hour mark while the Tykes appeared to be going through the motions.

Had it not been for a series of good blocks by Foster and Shackell, the visitors could easily have gone ahead by the interval.

Millwall should probably have salvaged a point and midfielder Tamika Mkandawire struck the post with a header deep into added time.

A hefty police presence at the final whistle ensured there were no problems between rival supporters.

Millwall’s supporters went home happy, celebrating a successful first season back in the Championship, and left the locals to indulge in the traditional end-of-season party on the pitch.

Jay McEveley lost his shorts, Jacob Butterfield posed topless for the ladies, and Robins posed countless times for photos while shaking hundreds of hands.

Another season over.

Now, let’s see what the summer brings.