The Reds grabbed their third win in succession beating a strong Portsmouth side in a 1-0 victory bursting with confidence. It was man of the moment Adam Hammill, scoring his seventh goal of the season, who netted the decisive goal with a firm, clinical strike from the edge of the box.
In a frenetic game Barnsley seemed in control with Steele tested less than Portsmouth's attacking force suggested on paper. The game started evenly as both Doyle and Nugent failed to capitalise on half chances. O'Connor impressed early on, his movement and understanding refreshing to see. It was his cross which found a lingering Hammill unmarked to add yet another contender for goal of the month to his collection.
Barnsley continued to pressurise through efforts from O'Brien and Hassell but instead referee David Foster took centre stage, putting in a Kettle-esque performance. With reds fans riled Foster made a series of questionable decisions, which helped crank up the atmosphere a notch further. In a complete contrast to their last home game Barnsley’s endeavour was tremendous. Suffering relentless attacks Pompey seemed to slowly fade out the game, with antiheroes Lawrence and Brown receiving traditional Ponty End welcomes.
Some great one touch moves set off more attacks as the settled Barnsley team dominated proceedings. Further strange decisions from the Referee did not distract the free flowing reds, who created good openings for the blossoming partnership of O'Connor and Lovre. As the reds tired the inevitable Portsmouth chances came right at the death. Ricardo Rocha's ambitious overhead kick only succeeded in worrying the ball boy, while Joel Ward came close from long range and Nugent was denied by the sharp, focussed Steele.
It will have been a long journey back down South in the drizzle for the Portsmouth fans, whilst Barnsley's unchanged side looked good value for the three points. The reds rose to 12th and face a Watford side who haven’t won in their last six games. Dare anyone go with the form book for next weeks encounter?