Barnsley 1 Swindon Town 1

Last updated : 20 September 2003 By Mick Bastow

There are normally two‘dead certs’ when watching a Barnsley home game, they are that the match officials are the best comedy threesome since the Three stooges, and that Kevin Betsy will go on a mazy dribble skipping past numerous players (falling down , getting back up - still with the ball) and when bearing down on goal, proceeds the frighten the living daylights out of the the various local photographers encamped near the corner flag, While the former still rang true, the latter was not, yes , Kevin Betsy not only had one but two shots on target!!!!!!!

Barnsley went into the match with virtually an unchanged side , Thordarson bring in O’Callaghan for the suspended Kay. Resorting back to the 4-1-4-1 formation (having previously tried 4-4-2 in the first half against Oldham, Barnsley Set off well, with Steve Haywood going close with a diving header. Swindon Quickly replied with a header from Mooney, easily saved by Illic

Lumsdon, again having a good game, was a constant danger to Swindon and was always looking to shoot at every opportunity. Barnsley could feel aggrieved when they had a penalty decision turned down when ex-red Adrian Viveash looked to have felled Fallon, but waved play on despite a BAFTA winning performance from Fallon.

A lack of pressure from Barnsley’s midfield allowed Swindon to progress deep in to Barnsley’s half and they were allowed to cross for Parkin to score with a half Volley.

Barnsley were then rocked by an injury to Steve ‘sicknote’ Haywood, who limped off with what looked like a hamstring injury, to be replaced by Austin who slotted into the unaccustomed role of central midfield.

A good start by Austin saw him involved in early tangle with Swindon’s midfield, Austin then continued with a good performance which saw him stake a good claim for a place in the starting line up.

Barnsley started the second half well and should have equalised on 55 minutes when a good downward header from Ireland was put wide. The reds continued to push on and finally levelled on 71 minutes when good play by Gorre sent Betsy off on a run which saw a Betsy shot cannon of the cross bar only for Fallon to blast the ball in from around six yards.

The reds continued to pressure but very nearly lost a share of the points when Illic chased a long ball only for Mooney to smash a shot against the post.