Shamal George: THAT Barnsley performance

In 2024, the Ravens beat Harrogate Town 2-0 on their League Two debut, with goals from Michael Cheek and Kamarl Grant securing the win. Fast forward to 2026, and both players were in the starting XI for Bromley’s League One debut against Barnsley, but while they had an important part to play, Saturday’s stand-out performance came from a new signing, goalkeeper Shamal George.

Many fans assumed the arrival of Shamal George was to fill the void created by Sam Long’s departure, and they might have been right. However, an injury to Grant Smith in pre-season opened the door for George, and his impressive performances have secured him the #1 shirt for Bromley’s season openers.

In the FBWL match preview, Machel highlighted that Barnsley have finished in a lower position each season during their last four campaigns. Even so, League One quality was very evident in the home side’s youthful lineup; particularly the front four of Noslin, Kelly, Alker, and Cleary, who posed a real threat as they fluidly interchanged positions, opening space for each other to drive into. 

Games won’t be smooth-sailing in League One, and as expected, Bromley had to dig in.

The Reds were playing without an out-and-out striker, yet they still managed to record 22 shots. The last time Bromley allowed more was when they visited Harrogate Town last February. 

Barnsley’s barrage aside, Bromley’s first real test was Cameron McGeehan’s strike inside the penalty area. As the ball flashed towards the top corner, George was well positioned to get across his goal line and palm it way.

It was evident that if Barnsley were to score, Reyes Cleary would play a part in it. The 22-year-old has plenty of admirers, and it is rumoured that Barnsley have received bids around the £3 million mark (though they’re supposedly holding out for £5 million). 

After several attempts to get past Marcus Ifill, who had an exceptional defensive performance, Cleary finally earned a clear-cut opportunity in the 63rd minute. The winger was played through on goal in a similar situation to Mitchell Pinnock’s miss earlier in the game, and once again the crowd held their breath.

Where Pinnock tried to slide the ball under the keeper, Cleary opted to dink the ball over Bromley’s 6’3” guardian. Shamal George lowered his centre of gravity as Cleary approached, but stayed large enough to block the shot up high and nimble enough to dive on the loose ball. It made Cleary’s chip seem like a tame effort, when in fact it was a textbook piece of goalkeeping.

Soon afterwards, George stopped a shot from Tyrese Noslin, then went on to deny a Luke Alker strike that was heading into the bottom right corner. Yet more great goalkeeping, but Bromley looked like they were hanging on and in need of fresh legs.

To maintain a grip on the game, Andy Woodman introduced three attack-minded substitutes: JJ McKiernan, Ethon Archer, and Victor Adeboyejo. This exemplified the strength in depth that Bromley have acquired in this transfer window, and it was perhaps no coincidence that the latter two combined to score the winner. 

In a similar vein, it is important to note the role that summer signings Shamal George and Kamarl Grant played in the goal. Had George’s long ball and Grant’s ability to win first contact not occurred, then Victor Adeboyejo’s joy of scoring against his former club wouldn’t have come to fruition.

The direct play that led to the goal also shows how quickly the new signings have settled and adapted to Bromley’s style.

From that point on, it was evident that Barnsley were frustrated, and as a result they began to concede more fouls as their intensity faded. Cleary managed another shot at goal, but for one final time, George denied him, getting down quickly to block his drilled effort.

Besides Bromley, only Bradford City and Huddersfield Town kept clean sheets in League One’s opening matchday. And while the statistics table is only one game old, Shamal George leads the way for saves made (8) and goals prevented (1.80).

Andy Woodman is a former goalkeeper and goalkeeping coach, so has unique insight into the talent available in the UK. But in his post-match interview with FBWL, the manager conceded that it was actually goalkeeping coach Brannon Daly who recommended the 28-year-old. The move was also aided by George’s agent, who just so happens to be the former Arsenal and Bromley goalkeeper Ryan Huddart.

When speaking about his new goalkeeper post-match, Woodman said: “He’s got big saves in him. What I think Shamal needs now, in my opinion, is to be consistent with everything he does and to be clean, and with today’s showing, he’s definitely on course.”

One standout display doesn’t define a season, and consistency will be key for Shamal George if he’s to become Woodman’s long-term starter. But if he continues in this fashion, a selection headache is inevitable when Grant Smith eventually returns. 

We should also pay attention to the club’s recent permanent signing of Owen Mason from Mansfield. What role will he play? 

As Machel said in his season preview: “Three number ones do not go into two.” And they certainly don’t go into one.