Reds' Barrow boy now has Wembley in sight

Sent out on loan to the National League earlier this season for first-team experience, the 22-year-old, signed from Worcester City late in 2014, has started the last two Reds games.

Both have yielded victories of vastly different character, the goal-fest that was Rochdale’s 6-1 humbling at Oakwell last Saturday being followed four days later by a gritty, if entertaining, triumph at Bradford City.

Williams was particularly impressive against the Bantams, the full-back not only creating the only goal of the game with a tantalising cross from the left wing that caused sufficient uncertainty between Ben Williams in the home goal and his central defenders for Marley Watkins to score but also coping admirably with the dangerous Mark Marshall.

It was a pressing case to remain involved in the first team at an exciting stage of the season as the Reds bask in the glow of a five-game winning run and have Wembley in their sights courtesy of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

“I wasn’t expecting a chance,” admitted the defender in the wake of Tuesday night’s derby triumph at Valley Parade, a result that moved the Reds eight points clear of trouble in League One.

“But circumstances meant I got that chance so I am just happy to have filled in. This is my opportunity.

“It was frustrating not to play but I got out on loan and got some experience. Since then, I have been playing with the Under-21s and working hard off the field. And I have bided my time.

“I am not a natural left-back so I have taken things from whoever I can. I have also worked hard in training. I have played there for the 21s for the past couple of months and do feel comfortable there now.

“My positioning feels better and now I have the opportunity I just need to keep going.”

Williams’s loan spell was spent at Barrow in the National League. Fifteen appearances with the Cumbrian side helped immeasurably, as has been evident in the recent wins over Rochdale, when he kept quiet the dangerous Peter Vincenti, and Bradford.

With a trip to Swindon Town next up on Saturday for Lee Johnson’s revitalised Reds squad and then that huge Northern Area final second leg tie at Fleetwood Town, these are potentially exciting times.

The Oakwell tie in the Trophy finished 1-1 to leave the return finely balanced and both clubs tantalisingly close to booking a Wembley date with either Millwall or Oxford United.

Barnsley will definitely be without winger Adam Hammill, something that Johnson admits is a big blow. “He will probably be out for four weeks,” added the Reds chief.

“He is a huge player for us, like Real Madrid missing Ronaldo. That is how key he is for us.”

Alfie Mawson could also be absent at the seaside after limping out of the Bradford win with a groin injury, though Johnson is hoping that the central defender’s swelling will come down before the Swindon encounter.

Williams, meanwhile, who has replaced the injured Aidy White, seems certain to retain his place after impressing at Valley Parade.

“It was great to be part of the goal,” said the defender about the second-minute cross that Watkins headed into the net.

“I looked up and saw Marley running so sent the ball over. It was a great finish. It was a very different win to Rochdale.

“I felt we dug in and ground it out. It was a difficult night with the rain but we were just as happy with the three points as in the 6-1 – and the clean sheet.

“As a defender, you love keeping a clean sheet. It is better than scoring a goal for us, as a unit. I enjoyed it up against Marshall.

“We had spoken about Marshall before the game so I had that in my mind. He is a tricky winger so I just tried to keep him down the line and do my best.

“Personally, I am just glad to be back playing. It has been frustrating not to play but that is football.”

Barnsley’s five-game winning run has eased fears at Oakwell over relegation to the basement division.

“The run has been brilliant,” admitted Williams. “You never know where it can lead. If we can keep it going, you just don’t know where you will end up.

“Saturday will be a different challenge but we have to keep grinding it out. We all believe we can keep the run going.

“The Trophy next week could be huge. But we are focused on Saturday first and Swindon.”

Coach Johnson reflected: “We defended like Trojans because we had to, coming to Bradford.

“I thought we had some really good chances even though we had minimal possession for us – we normally have a lot more possession – on the counter-attack we still got four or five chances.

“Sometimes it can be a good thing that you get in that defensive mindset because you’re switched on to runners and everybody is doubling up for each other and that was one of our strengths.”