Reds Are Masters Of Yorkshire!!!

A superb night of football at the Hallam FM Arena saw Barnsley clinch their first ever Yorkshire Masters championship and head to the UK Finals in Liverpool in September.

On the previous occasion a Barnsley side had competed- in the 2001 event- they lost every game and finished bottom of the group. Eight years later and with former stars such as Kevin Miller, Nicky Eaden, Dean Gorre and Neil Thompson in the side, they won three out of three and will head to the Echo Arena in two months time.

It was another player who stole the show though- in the form of Wayne Biggins. Biggins hit 16 goals in 47 appearances when playing for the proper Barnsley team at the start of the 1990s, and he continued that form into the Masters, winning the Golden Boot award for scoring three goals.

Two of those goals came in the first game as The Reds got off to a flyer against Masters' debutants Hull City.

Each half was eight minutes long and Biggins had netted twice in the first three minutes of the first half, his second an impressive finish from an acute angle.

Duane Darby -who is still playing for Hednesford Town- pulled one back in the fifth minute after Gorre was caught dallying on the ball and Darby burst past Eaden's challenge to fire under Miller.

The Reds produced a terrific rearguard action in the second half, culminating in a brilliant low save from Miller in the dying seconds to ensure Barnsley had their first ever Masters victory.

A 2-2 draw between Leeds and Hull elsewhere in Group A, meant that a draw against their West Yorkshire rivals would put Barnsley in the final. Victory for the Whites though would see them pip The Reds.

But the dream looked to be over in the first 30 seconds as ex Barnsley trialist Clyde Wijnhard fired Leeds in front. Three minutes later however Biggins had notched his third goal in two games and The Reds were level. That goal sparked a run of three in the space of about 90 seconds.

30 seconds after Biggins goal, Thompson hit a cracker to put Barnsley in front, but within a minute Scot Sellars had made it 2-2.

The next goal would be crucial, and thankfully it went Barnsley's way. On the stroke of half time, Deniol Graham who often led the line superbly fired The Reds 3-2 in front.

Once again Barnsley showed their defensive resolve in the second half to keep Leeds out, but Biggins nearly hit the goal of the tournament. A long throw from Miller was caught on the volley by Biggins but it just dropped over the bar. Barnsley hung on and they were through to the Yorkshire Masters Final!

It set up a showdown with Sheffield Wednesday, who the current Barnsley side had secured a first double against in 76 years back in February, but it was not going to be easy. Whilst Barnsley had won their group with odd goal victories, the Owls had cruised through Group B, thumping Doncaster 5-2 and Sheffield United 4-1. (Incidentally the Blades were the only team to lose both their games)

The final was an incredibly tense affair with Wednesday enjoying the most of the possession, and it would take on a strangely familiar path- of the 2006 League One Play-Off Final against Swansea. The main difference was that it wasn't Barnsley who took the lead, Wednesday finally making their possession pay with a strike, one minute before half time. Nigel Jemson- who bagged a brace for Oxford in their 5-1 win over Barnsley in the final game of 1996-1997- was given enough space to fire past Miller.

The Reds were level at the start of the second half with their first real chance of the game. Jim Dobbin hitting a lovely shot past Kevin Pressman, and with three minutes remaining Barnsley thought they had won it when fans favourite Dean Gorre, ended a lovely passing move with a smart finish past Pressman.

Agonisingly for the strong Barnsley contingent in the stands, Wednesday equalised almost immediately through Efan Ekoku.

With no extra time in the Masters it was straight to penalties. A 2-2 draw, penalty shootout? Haven't we been here before? As the shootout progressed there would be a stronger feeling of déjà vu.

Biggins, Jon McCarthy and Nicky Eaden had all scored to leave the shootout 2-1 in Barnsley's favour. Next up was Ekoku. And, like Adebayo Akinfenwa three years ago, he lifted his effort over the bar to give The Reds the advantage. This was hammered home by Gorre who coolly despatched his spot kick.

O'Neil Donaldson, and David Reeves for Wednesday (despite Miller getting a hand to both penalties) and Dobbin for Barnsley left the score at 4-4 with The Reds having one penalty left.

It was left to Adrian Viveash- the player with the least amount of Barnsley experience in the side having made just two appearances for the club whilst on loan from Swindon- to dispatch the winning penalty and send Barnsley to the UK Finals!

They will be joined there by the winners of the Northern Masters- Middlesbrough, the Midlands Masters- Wolves, the London Masters- QPR, the Mersey Masters- Tranmere, the Scottish Masters- Celtic, and the Central Masters- Leicester.

There is still one more heat to go and that is in the North West Masters at the M.E.N Arena in Manchester, where Manchester United, Manchester City, Oldham, Burnley, Bolton and Blackburn will all compete.

Player Ratings:

Kevin Miller: Looked nervy in the first half of the first game against Hull but was magnificent after that, making crucial saves in the second halves against Hull and Leeds. Was unlucky not to save two of the penalties in the shootout. 8

Nicky Eaden: Not changed a bit. Composed as ever and often the last line of
defence. 7

Adi Viveash: Had a quiet tournament before stepping up to score the winning penalty. 6

Neil Thompson: Still has the quality that shone through the Premier League promotion season of 1996-1997. Scored a wonderful goal against Leeds and captained the side to glory. 8

Deniol Graham: Was often left as the lone forward but his height and control meant he led it very effectively. Got the goal his efforts deserved against Leeds. 8

Jim Dobbin: Fairly quiet until the final when he scored the equaliser. 6

Dean Gorre: Always a fans favourite and made sure he acknowledged the crowd. Probably the most skilful player on the pitch, and made some wonderful runs. One did cost a goal against Hull but he fully deserved his Player of the Tournament award. 9

Wayne Biggins: A player before my time, but one I would dearly have loved to see judging by his performances last night. Three very good goals were vital. 8

Paul Cross: Quiet game from the Barnsley born lad. Was often the main substitute. 6

Results

Group A

Barnsley 2-1 Hull City

Hull City 2-2 Leeds United

Barnsley 3-2 Leeds United

Barnsley group winners

Group B

Sheffield Wednesday 5-2 Doncaster Rovers

Doncaster Rovers 3-2 Sheffield United

Sheffield Wednesday 4-1 Sheffield United

Sheffield Wednesday group winners

Final
Barnsley 2-2 Sheffield Wednesday
Barnsley win 5-3 on penalties

Other Awards
Player of the Tournament: Dean Gorre (Barnsley)
Golden Boot: Wayne Biggins (Barnsley)