Another view of the victory over Peterborough

Last updated : 22 December 2004 By Rob Miles

Barnsley produced probably their best home performance of the season to see of struggling Peterborough.

A hat-trick from on-loan ace Michael Chopra ( the first hat-trick from a Barnsley player for exactly 5 years to the day) and a 25 yard daisy cutter from the equally impressive Chris Shuker saw Barnnsley claim thier fourth successive victory and with Ross Turnbull once again a mere spectator apart from one impressive block near the end thier fourth successive clean sheet.

Peterborough had the better of the opening exchanges pegging Barnsley back and forcing 4 early corners which came to nothing.

Barnsley though took the lead with a bolt out of the blue after 14 minutes Michael Boulding's lovely ball through sent Chopra scampering away where he beautifully lobbed away keeper Tyler.

Peterborough did come close 5 minutes later when Turnbull was forced to make a smart save but then Barnsley took the game by the scruff of the neck.

Jacob Burns came close after 23 minutes before two minutes from the break Boulding somehow spooned the ball over the bar from 6 yards after a great cross from Shuker.

Barnsley though effectively put the game to bed 6 minutes into the second half when a poor clearance fell straight to the dimutive Shuker who took aim and rifled a brilliant low shot into Tyler's bottom right hand corner. He was then mobbed by jubilant Barnsley players and Oakwell went berserk.

From that moment on Peterborough gave up the ghost. Shuker scurried down the right before lifting in a cross which Boulding flicked on to the unmarked Chopra 6 yards out. His first shot cannoned off the post but the ball kindly came back to the on-loan man and he didnt need asking a third time.

The scoring finally ended after 77 minutes when a poor pass at the back presented the ball to subsitute Daniel Nardiello ( who finally got more than 5 minutes on the pitch) to slip Chopra clear and he duly dispatched his hat-trick despite Tyler getting a hand to it.

Nardiello then came close twice in the closing stages but four was enough to see Barnsley march back into the top half for the first time since 14th August.

The Reds are currently on thier best run of form since the glorious promotion season of 1996/1997. Long may it continue.