Its quite hard to put into words how the majority of the 13,000 in Oakwell felt come 5 o’clock this afternoon but Ill try.
10 seconds away from a win that would have left The Reds 3 points off the top with a game in hand on joint top Southend.
From ecstasy to agony from unbridled joy to utter dismay.
The Reds had lets say a poor second half and in truth were lucky to come away from this one with anything but to be so close to a vital 3 points against a fellow Championship hunter before letting it slip sticks in the throat to say the least.
The Reds were marginally the better side in a first half where both teams seemed to just feel each other out.
Huddersfield created hardly anything of note whilst Chris Shuker was continually frustrated in raids down the right wing.
Barnsley did lead at the break for the fourth successive league game courtesy of a deceiving Jacob Burns free-kick 3 minutes before the break similar to the one that Bobby Hassell headed in against Scunthorpe.
On this occasion Burns in swinger deceived everybody and curled past Huddersfield keeper Paul Rachubka and into the far corner.
The Reds could in truth been ahead as early as the 5th minute.
Paul Hayes played in Shuker who was literally thrown to the floor by Danny Adams but amazingly referee Eddie Ilderton waved the appeals away.
Andy Booth also spurned a half chance for the Terriers but 1-0 to The Reds at the break was just about right.
The second half once again was a completely different story.
The Reds lost their shape totally, were second to every ball and were left camped back in their own half.
The one respite Barnsley got came after 51 minutes .
Hayes’ ball across the area found it’s way to Martin Devaney who slammed it into the roof of the net. His celebrations were cut short though at the side of the linesman’s offside flag.
From then on it was almost no contest as Huddersfield must have spurned at least half a dozen gilt-edged chances.
Sub Dale Tonge blocked Chris Brandon’s goal bound shot whilst keeper Nick Colgan pulled off a totally world class save. Brandon’s effort was deflected off Paul Reid and Colgan somehow got down and across to claw away the ball from almost on the goal-line.
Booth was then given a free header which he amazingly put wide and at least 2 teasing crosses went un opposed across Barnsley’s six yard line with no Huddersfield player on hand to punish The Reds.
Barnsley could though have gone 2-0 up with a break-away on 74 minutes.
Disco Devaney went on a mazy run where he flicked the ball past an opponent before racing back on to it, doing this particular trick to 3 players before he was clearly blocked off on the edge of the area by towering centre half Nathan Clarke. Referee Ilderton was again unimpressed.
Within a minute Huddersfield were level.
Adnan Ahmed who was excellent in midfield for Huddersfield swung over the umpteenth corner and who but Booth managed to power it past a startled Colgan.
The game though amazingly swung back in Barnsley’s favour 5 minutes later.
Howard’s fine through ball this time saw Nardiello onside and he raced in to flick the ball past Rachubka. The keeper got a slight touch to the ball and it seemed to take an age and also look like it was just going wide before it finally slipped inside the post.
Cue absolute pandemonium as Reds fans thought they had got that vital win. Nardiello raced away to the East Stand where he and fellow players were mobbed by a jubilant crowd.
Second best but a vital 3 points?
You should know by now its never that simple when concerning Barnsley Football Club.
As 90 minutes struck the board went up to show 4 additional minutes and after 3 minutes 50 seconds Huddersfield grabbed an heart-breaking equaliser.
Matt Carbon had a clash of heads with Booth ( him again) and whilst his aerial presence was missing and The Reds a man short, a free kick was swung in and Gary Taylor-Fletcher managed to scrape it through Colgan’s legs and over the line to cue pandemonium from the away end.
In truth this could be looked at as a point gained with Barnsley’s performance certainly not worthy of the 3 points, but when just 10 seconds away from glory, one does feel slightly aggrieved.
Monday’s match against Chesterfield is now equally important. The Reds sit 6th in the league whilst The Spirerites lie 7th, both teams have 38 points. A defeat for Barnsley will see them slip out of the play-off places for the first time since entering them with a win over Walsall on the 29th October.
A win meanwhile could keep those automatic places within sight.
Its one NOT to be missed.
Player Ratings:
Nick Colgan: Made one world class save in the second half and couldn’t be faulted for the goals. His time-wasting certainly riled the Huddersfield fans though. 7
Neil Austin: Excellent once again today, put his foot in where it hurt and gave 100%. 9
Paul Reid: Actually he had a pretty poor game today, wasn’t bad on the deck but Booth beat him every time in the air. 6
Matt Carbon: Was the man that could compete with Booth in the air and gave a commanding display. Was off the pitch for Huddersfield's last gasp second goal and was clearly missed. 8
Bobby Hassell: Good first half from Bobby but substituted with a foot injury at half time. Subbed 6
Martin Devaney: Again not used as much as he should have been but when on the ball he terrified the Huddersfield players. “ Lets all have a disco”. Subbed 8
Brian Howard: Worked extremely hard and his exquisite ball laid on the second goal for Nardiello. Amazingly booked after Ahmed dived. Booked 8
Jacob Burns: A real Trojan again covering every blade of grass, really showed his defensive qualities in that one-sided second half. Booked 8
Chris Shuker: Didn’t get much change out of the Huddersfield left back today but was denied a stonewall penalty in the fifth minute. 6
Paul Hayes: Excellent again today. Held the ball up superbly and it often looked like he was on his own upfront. Forced off with a knock. Subbed 8
Marc Richards: Poor display today. Failed to win the headers, continually caught offside and looked uninterested. 4
Substitutes:
Dale Tonge (for Hassell 45) Slotted into the right back spot seamlessly always looks assured of himself. 7
Daniel Nardiello ( for Hayes 71) Was caught offside a few times but there’s no better goal poacher at the club. His 80th minute goal should really have won it. 7
Robbie Williams (for Devaney 83) Only got a cameo appearance again but didn’t do anything wrong. 6
Match Sponsors Man of the Match: Jacob Burns
Barnsley Boy’s Man of the Match: Neil Austin. No gripes about Burns receiving the award but today I thought Austin just edged it.
Coca Cola League One Results Saturday 31st December 2005
Barnsley 2-2 Huddersfield
Brentford 0-2 Colchester
Gillingham 3-0 Milton Keynes Dons
Nottingham Forest 0-0 Chesterfield
Oldham 2-1 Hartlepool
Port Vale 0-2 Tranmere
Rotherham 1-0 Doncaster
Scunthorpe 0-0 Bradford
Southend 2-1 Bournemouth
Swindon 0-0 Swansea
Walsall 2-0 Blackpool
Yeovil 1-1 Bristol City
Barnsley lie 6th in League One with 38 points from 24 games. We are in the Play-Offs on Goal Difference , 5 points off the Automatic Promotion Places and 12 points clear of the Relegation Zone.
Incidentally The Reds now have the third highest goal difference in the league and the second best defensive record
Next Up:
On The Road: Chesterfield v Barnsley Coca Cola League One Monday 2nd January 2006 Kick Off 1pm ( note the earlier kick off time!)
Tickets: Cross Street Terrace ( Uncovered Standing) Adults: £16 OAP: £9 Juveniles: £6. Cross Street Far Wing ( Seating) Adults: £18 Concessions: £12 Official Red On The Road Coach Tickets: £8 The coach leaves Oakwell at 10:45am on the day of the game
At Oakwell: Barnsley v Walsall FA Cup Third Round Saturday 7th January 2006 Kick Off 3pm
Tickets: Adults: £15 Concessions: £8