By Harry Jones
October 31 2025

Barnsley host York in the FA Cup first round at Oakwell on Saturday at 3pm.

The Reds will be hoping to advance to the second round and bounce back from a disappointing home defeat against Rotherham.

In terms of injury updates Conor Hourihane confirmed that Georgie Gent could make a first-team return for the first time since March.

Hourihane said “We’re hoping for him to be involved in the squad at the weekend.”

Additionally, Hourihane confirmed Josh Earl is back available after a back spasm, but Adam Phillips will miss out again.

“Phillo won’t be here this weekend in terms of availability, it’s more focusing on can we get him back for Donny.”

The two clubs have faced off in a competitive fixture 30 times, with Barnsley having won 20 and York two.

The last time the two clubs met in a competitive fixture was in November 2015 in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, in which Conor Hourihane started, and the Reds won 2-1.

York will arrive to Oakwell in high spirits, currently unbeaten in five in all competitions and they have not lost on the road all season.

The Minstermen are expected to bring a large following, with 2,300+ tickets having been sold at the time of writing.

York have Ollie Banks, whose father used to play for Barnsley, and the 33-year-old scored a stunning 30-yard free-kick at Oakwell for Barrow in the extraordinary game which Barnsley won 5-4 in the FA Cup in January 2022.

Conor Hourihane is expected to name a strong side for this fixture, and it will be a chance for some members of the squad to impress and potentially work their way into the starting XI for the trip to Doncaster such as Patrick Kelly and Maël De Gevigney did after impressing against Bradford.  

The two sides met at the LNER Community Stadium in a friendly back in July, with the game ending in a 2-2 draw.

York have changed manager since then, with former Notts County boss Stuart Maynard replacing Adam Hinshelwood.