Barnsley 1 Norwich City 3

Last updated : 03 March 2007 By Footymad Previewer
Darren Huckerby produced a five-star performance as Norwich City romped to a welcome win in a four-goal thriller at Barnsley.

Huckerby was given the freedom of Oakwell as the Tykes allowed him to roam free and he destroyed them with a sizzling first-half display.

Pre-season promotion favourites Norwich made a dream start as they surged into a two-goal lead after only 26 minutes.

Huckerby's solo goal gave the visitors the lead after only seven minutes - his fifth strike of the season.

Huckerby burst down the right and left Paul Heckingbottom trailing with his neat footwork. He cut inside before unleashing a superb left-foot shot from just inside the area and found the top right-hand corner as keeper Nick Colgan dived full stretch in a desperate attempt to turn it wide.

The goal settled Norwich and they could have gone further in front soon afterwards when Huckerby and Lee Croft combined down the right but Paul Reid provided an important block to clear.

Barnsley's Hungarian strike duo of Peter Rajczi and Istvan Ferenczi , who have scored five goals in three games between them, saw quick-fire shots blocked before Grant McCann almost beat debut keeper Tony Warner.

The Barnsley midfielder, who had seen an earlier shot easily held by the keeper, on-loan from Fulham, struck a sweet 25-yard dipping shot but Warner finger-tipped over.

But it was Norwich that struck again after 26 minutes as they punished Barnsley for sloppy work at the back. As the Tykes failed to clear, the ball broke to Croft who was in space on the penalty spot and he drilled in a low shot for a simple finish.

McCann was Barnsley's best hope of a way back and he went close again with a dipping 25-yard free-kick.

But five minutes before half-time, the Canaries put themselves out of sight of any possible Barnsley revival with a third goal.

Huckerby was again left to roam unhindered on the right and, after Croft had found him with a good pass, his pinpoint cross was headed in by Chris Martin.

Barnsley produced a reply seconds before half-time when Martin Devaney crossed from the right and Ferenczi claimed his fifth goal in four games with a super glancing header.