Barnsley: Matty is made-up

The 19-year-old has been at his boyhood club for 11 years, rising through the youth ranks displaying bags of potential.

And having made two substitute appearances away from home this season, he got the nod from the bench at Oakwell for the first time in Monday’s match against Blackpool.

With the Reds holding a slender 3-2 heading into stoppage time, the left-footer fired in his first for the club to seal the win, a feat he’s aspired to achieve since he was a child.

“You dream of it all the time when you’re young, scoring in front of the crowd,” he beamed. “Celebrating in front of the crowd is one of the best noises you can ever hear because it’s like silence in a way and then bang - the cheering is unbelievable. I was dreaming about it driving to the ground and it’s actually happened. I don’t know what to say.

“I just tried to get everybody up the pitch and then it fell to Ben [Pearson]. Then I got it back but I slipped and then got my feet, took a touch and I knew where the goal was. Then it was like slow motion, it rolled in and I couldn’t believe it.”

Barnsley boss Lee Johnson was equally delighted for the talented teenager as he saw his side register their first home win since September to haul themselves out of the relegation zone. And Johnson sees plenty of potential in Templeton after handing him the chance to shine in front of his own fans.

“It was a great moment for him and one that sits very nicely with us as a club because he’s one of our own,” smiled the Reds manager. “How can I describe him? He’s a great kid, he deserved his chance.

“He’ll be walking round town proud as punch because he’s a local lad. It’s great to see and I don’t think he could believe it, we are well chuffed for him.

“He’s very direct, and he’s very bold in the way that he drives at people, looks to get crosses in and looks to shoot early.”