Barnsley boss Keith Hill and his assistant David Flitcroft are set for an emotional return to Spotland after Barnsley were drawn away at Rochdale in the First Round of the newly named Capital One Cup.
The draw, which took place at 9:30am today, sees The Reds face Dale at this stage of the competition for the second time in three years. They met at the first hurdle of the then Carling Cup in 2010-2011 and Rochdale, then under the stewardship of “Hillcroft” won 1-0 at Oakwell through an Anthony Elding goal.
Hill told the club’s official website:
"I really can't wait. It is an exciting draw and I have great memories from my time there.
"It couldn't have been a better draw. Flicker and myself still have good friends there and the game will be great for us just ahead of the league season starting.
"Rochdale will be trying hard to get one over on us, but this presents us with an opportunity to do what we have failed to do in the last two seasons and get into the second round of the Capital One Cup.
"I want to do well in the Cups this year and our first round draw gives us that opportunity to start well.
"That's not to say it will be an easy game. It will be a tricky fixture, but we will be looking to successfully navigate it and get our name into the hat for the second round when Premier League clubs get introduced."
As Hill says The Reds are looking to advance past the first round for the first time since 2009, and it will be the third time the two sides have met in this competition. As well as the meeting two years ago they were drawn against each other in the first round of the 1996-1997 competition with The Reds triumphing 3-2 over two legs.
Source: FOOTYMAD
