Barnsley 2-2 Blackpool

Barnsley got out of jail in dramatic fashion after turning in easily their worst home performance of the season ( yes even worse than Yeovil).

Two goals in the space of about 45 seconds saw The Reds come back from the dead.

For long periods of this match, Barnsley were second best and never mind not winning the second balls they didn't even win the third or fourth as Blackpool weren't much better but seemed to show more fight.

This was the complete opposite to the previous home match and the two week break seemed to have done The Reds more harm than good. Barring the excellent Paul Reid and maybe Jacob Burns the whole team needs to look at themselves after this and ask themselves if they have the bottle for a promotion fight.

Paul Hayes and Daniel Nardiello seemed anonymous whilst Robbie Williams and surprisingly Bobby Hassell had nightmares in the full back roles.

Barnsley were the first to threaten though after 7 minutes. Good link-up play between Hayes, Devaney and Howard saw a chance fashion for Jacob Burns form the edge of the area. His blistering drive being well parried around the post by Pool keeper Les Pogliacomi.

The game though gradually become scrappy and Barnsley resorted to the long ball ( the departure of Conlon obviously hasn't made a difference).

It was no surprise though when Blackpool took the lead after 28 minutes. The Seasiders had been enjoying plenty of space on the wings and it proved fatal when on-loan Tommy Wright played a ball over to the unmarked Simon Wiles who coolly slotted past Colgan before taking great delight in celebrating in front of the East Stand.

The goal did at least stir Barnsley as Hayes saw a good effort again stopped by Pogliacomi.

The second half was worse if anything as Barnsley struggled to fashion anything worthy of being called a chance, and when Paul Reid had to depart the field to have stitches inserted into an eye wound Blackpool took advantage of the extra man to double their lead after 68 minutes.
Jamie Burns played the ball across the now 3 man defence and Wright raced in to steer past Colgan.

That really should have been it as it was going to take something special or bizarre to haul Barnsley back into this game.

It arrived with 9 minutes remaining.

Pogliacomi attempted to clear a routine ball but succeeded in firing it straight against substitute Marc Richards and into the net.

Still this only looked to be a consolation as The Reds toothless attack didn't look capable of conjuring an equaliser.

But... straight from the Blackpool kick-off Barnsley regained possession with Richards chasing down the left wing before playing the ball straight into the path of Howard who fired past Poglicacomi.

For once in the match The Reds looked dangerous but Blackpool had a great chance to win it. Paul Reid pulled up with a hamstring injury allowing Keigan Parker to race clearly but amazingly with just Colgan to beat he lifted his effort over the bar.

There was one last chance for Barnsley to sneak an unlikely winner but instead of shooting Nardiello attempted to weave around the Blackpool defence several times and was inevitably dispossessed.

A gutting ending for Colin Hendry's side and a real real escape for Barnsley.
This current side amaze and then dismay and there is a real inability to carve out successive wins. Our next league opponents Southend embarked on an 8 match winning run before today, sadly, Barnsley can't find that consistency.

Player Ratings:

Nick Colgan. Saw more of the ball than anybody else due to The Reds continuously playing it back to him. No chance with the goals. 7

Bobby Hassell: An uncharacteristic poor display. Was beaten down his wing on several occasions. 5

Paul Reid: Excellent display. Captain Fantastic and bled for the cause before finally succumbing to a hamstring injury. The defence looked incredibly shaky without him. 9

Matt Carbon: Kept plugging away but couldn't match Reid. 6

Robbie Williams: Struggled today and first bad performance of the season. 5

Chris Shuker: His pace troubled Blackpool at times and always a threat. Subbed 7

Brian Howard: Not as influential as against Oldham but was tigerish in the tackle. Right place at the right time for equaliser. 7

Jacob Burns: 100% every game from the Aussie. Only Reid surpassed him today. Subbed 8

Martin Devaney: As long as he's kept on the left wing we will struggle. Ritchie for some reason can't see that he hasn't got a left foot and always has to cut back. 6

Paul Hayes: Bright start but faded as long ball after long ball came his way. Ball needs to be played to his feet to have an impact. Subbed. 6

Daniel Nardiello: Same as Hayes really. Long balls don't suit him. 6

Substitutes:

Marc Richards ( for Hayes 68) Inspired substitution. Charged down Poglicacomi's clearance for the first goal and set up Howard for the second. 7

Stephen McPhail ( for Burns 75) Good to see Macca back, the team finally started to play football after his introduction. 7

Nathan Jarman ( for Shuker 75) Lost possession a couple of times but always wanted the ball. The fact he was placed on the right could have hampered him. 6

Man of the Match. Paul Reid. Magnificent his hamstring injury is a concern.

Coca Cola League One Results: Saturday 15th October 2005

Barnsley 2-2 Blackpool

Brentford 0-0 Swindon

Bristol City 1-0 Tranmere

Colchester 0-1 Bournemouth

Doncaster 2-0 Southend

Gillingham 0-0 Yeovil

Huddersfield 3-1 Walsall

Milton Keynes Dons 0-0 Chesterfield

Nottingham Forest 2-0 Hartlepool

Port Vale 0-1 Bradford

Scunthorpe 2-2 Rotherham

Swansea 0-0 Oldham

Barnsley lie 12th in League One with 18 points from 13 games. We are 3 points off the PlayOffs, 11 points off the Automatic Promotion Places and 4 points clear of the Relegation Zone.

Next Up:

At Oakwell: Barnsley v Doncaster Rovers LDV Vans Trophy First Round Tuesday 18th October 2005 Kick-off 7:45pm

On The Road: Southend United v Barnsley Saturday 22nd October 2005 Kick-off 3pm

Paul Reid: Man of the Match