The Reds turned in arguably their worst performance of the season on a cold Tuesday evening yet still amazingly finished with 3 vital points that moved them up to 5th and stretched the unbeaten league run to 9 games.
The first half was a real non-event. Tranmere came to Oakwell satisfied to finish with a point and Barnsley played like 11 people who had just been brought together and had never kicked a ball in their life.
It really was that bad!
Aimless high ball after high ball was pumped up to Marc Richards and Paul Hayes who were so poor you had to laugh. If this is the strike-force we have got to take us through Christmas we are in serious trouble.
The midfield, which included the returning Brian Howard from suspension, was continually bypassed, and when they were used more often then not were second to the ball.
Neither team created anything of note in the first half with Matt Carbon once again impressive at centre half before ONCE AGAIN succumbing to injury.
The second half was only marginally better. Martin Devaney was switched onto the right wing, yes that does say Devaney on the right wing! Barnsley now had more influence.
Both teams still resorted to playing long ugly football until the 58 minutes when Barnsley FINALLY played good football and lo and behold it led to a goal.
Chris Shuker’s superb ball released Hayes down the left and with the outside of his right boot he flicked the ball across the front of the Tranmere defence and Martin Devaney raced in on cue to slip it past Keeper Steve Wilson.
Rovers nearly got the equailser after 62 minutes. Old nemesis Delroy Facey's cross shot swirled in the wind and Scott Flinders, who performed a lot better than at the weekend, produced a marvellous one handed save.
Tonge had a great chance to double the lead after 73 minutes after Shuker, Howard and sub Nicky Wroe combined to send him through but unfortunately he couldn’t control it and Wilson made the interception.
The Reds did get the killer second though after 77 minutes and Tranmere can count themselves very unlucky.
Marc Richards turned in the area before going down under a challenge from the impressive Ian Goodsion.
From my position it looked like Goodison had taken the ball first but referee Mike Pike who incidentally was one of the best refs Iv seen down at Oakwell pointed to the spot. Hayes, Richards and Robbie Williams had an embarrassing argument over who was to take it before Richards finally stepped up and placed his shot coolly down the middle.
2-0 and very undeserved.
The second killed off Tranmere but they did get a consolation in stoppage time.
Facey’s first effort was blocked by Flinders but he stabbed the rebound home. Facey and Austin then got into a little scramble in the net as Austin refused to give the ball back.
The Reds could even have thrown it away straight from kick-off as they needlessly gave away possession but Bobby Hassell was back to make the tackle.
3 very undeserved points at Oakwell then but as they say all good teams pick up points when they aren’t playing well, although not all teams will be as merciful as Tranmere. Scunthorpe are the visitors to Oakwell on Saturday. There is hope both Paul Reid and Stephen McPhail will be back with Macca in particular being missed. 3 points and a better performance are once again crucial. There is no room for slip-ups at the top.
Player Ratings:
Scott Flinders: Much improved from Saturday and made one outstanding stop from Facey at 1-0. 7
Bobby Hassell: Stand-in skipper led by example again combined well with Shuker first half. 7
Matt Carbon: Another trojan like display but again the injury curse struck. The Reds lost height at the back after his departure. 8
Antony Kay: Cut out the silly mistakes tonight and did very well in the air. Better. 7
Neil Austin: Caught out down his flank once to often. Good going forward but getting as suspect as Tom Williams at defending. 5
Chris Shuker: Worked his socks off again and looked even more of an influence when he moved to the left at half time. 7
Brian Howard. Tried to play the passing game but the rest of his team-mates didn’t take heed. 6
Jacob Burns: Surprised he even played after a bout of flu gave his all but was off the pace. 5
Martin Devaney. Came up with the finish to break the deadlock and looked especially dangerous when moved to the right ;) ;). 7
Paul Hayes: One moment of skill to set up Devaney for the first but apart from that, awful. 4
Marc Richards: Kept his cool to score the penalty but along with Hayes was very poor. 4
Substitutes:
Dale Tonge ( for Carbon 59) Brought on for the injured Carbon and helped the defence stay strong. 6
Nicky Wroe ( for Burns 65) Impressed me last night tried to pass the ball rather than knock it long. 7
Robbie Williams ( for Devaney 71) Good to see Robbie get his chance again. Put his foot in where it hurt. 6
Man of the Match: Once again Matt Carbon.
Coca Cola League One Results Tuesday 6th December 2005-12-07
Barnsley 2-1 Tranmere
Blackpool 1-3 Bournemouth
Brentford 3-2 Yeovil
Bristol City 0-1 Bradford
Gillingham 1-0 Doncaster
Hartlepool 0-1 Colchester
Milton Keynes Dons 2-2 Huddersfield
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Port Vale
Oldham 2-1 Walsall
Southend 0-0 Chesterfield
Swansea 2-0 Scunthorpe
Barnsley lie 5th in League One with 33 points from 20 games. We are in the PlayOffs on goal difference, 6 points off the Automatic Promotion Places and 13 points clear of the Relegation Zone.
Next Up:
At Oakwell: Barnsley v Scunthorpe United Coca Cola League One Saturday 10th December 2005 Kick Off 3pm (Note: This is a Category A Match)
On The Road: Bradford City v Barnsley FA Cup Second Round Replay Tuesday 13th December 2005 Kick Off 7:45pm Tickets: Adults: £15 Concessions: £10 Official Reds On The Road Coach Tickets: £9. The coach leave Oakwell at 5:30pm on the day of the game.
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