Barnsley too strong for Plymouth in season opener

Ten-man Barnsley launched their new Sky Bet League One campaign with a 3-1 win at new-look Plymouth.

Barnsley took a 13th-minute lead when skipper Luca Connell sent a superbly flighted free-kick across the Argyle penalty area from wide out on the left and the ball hit Pilgrims midfielder Brendan Wiredu and flew in at the far post.

Adam Phillips smashed a brilliant 30th-minute volley to make it 2-0.

Barnsley goalkeeper Murphy Cooper made a brilliant 40th-minute save to tip over Caleb Watts’ goal-bound header from Kornel Szucs’ cross.

Watts made it 2-1 in the 50th minute, hammering in from close range as Barnsley’s defence failed to clear Victor Palsson’s header.

Barnsley central defender Jack Shepherd saw red for a second bookable offence after 63 minutes before Davis Keillor-Dunn latched on to a clearance from Cooper to slot home Barnsley’s third after 83 minutes.