Sport

Hill backs McEveley after Lions pounce on Reds

Barnsley boss Keith Hill had to defend Jay McEveley on Saturday after the left-back was booed by his own fans towards the end of the 3-1 home loss to Millwall.

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Jay McEveley and Keith Hill.

Monday 23rd January 2012

Barnsley boss Keith Hill had to defend Jay McEveley on Saturday after the left-back was booed by his own fans towards the end of the 3-1 home loss to Millwall.

McEveley was singled out for abuse by the Reds' fans everytime he touched the ball after his mishit clearance allowed Lions' striker Darius Henderson to complete his match-winning hat-trick.

“I wish people would bite their lip at times when they are on the crest of criticising one of the players because it doesn’t help," said Hill.

"There should be a little more patience and understanding and at no point should we have any of the crowd booing one of our own players."

It was referee James Adcock was the first person to attract the ire of the Oakwell crowd as he awarded Millwall a 36th-minute penalty when Miles Addison tangled with Liam Trotter in the box.

Former Sheffield United striker Henderson stepped up to give his side the lead then doubled it when he chested down Nadjim Abdoun’s long ball and slotted past Luke Steele into the bottom right corner.

McEveley's wayward pass allowed Henderson to complete his treble on 75 minutes and Jimmy McNulty's decent finish in the 88th minute was just a consolation for the Reds.