Barnsley 3-2 Colchester United

Last updated : 15 November 2014 By Alastair Limb (tykesmad)

God they don't half make heavy weather of stuff that Barnsley FC.

But the Reds did continue their current surge up the Sky Bet League One table with a 3-2 victory over Colchester United, moving them up to 11th.

Recent loan signings Ryan Williams and Marcello Trotta were both unavailable for the visit of the U's, due to being on international duty with Australia U23s and Italy U21s respectively. Devante Cole and Kane Hemmings were their replacements.

Barnsley began the game as they finished the last, swarming all over their opponents and it wasn't long before that man Sam Winnall had found the back of the net again.

Luke Berry's pass was cut out by a Colchester defender, but the ball broke to Winnall, on the corner of the 18-yard box and he showed unbelievable technique to drill an angled shot right into the bottom left hand corner to leave U's keeper Sam Walker with no chance. It was Winnall's eighth goal in as many games.

The Reds smelt blood and carried on flying forward with pace and purpose. Devante Cole skinned two Colchester defenders and got into a shooting position but his goalbound shot was really well saved by Walker.

But then, with their first real attack of the game, the visitors were level. Elliot Hewitt teased Joe Dudgeon before putting over a cross, which really should have been dealt with but the ball fell to Sanchez Watt and the former Leeds and Arsenal winger found the bottom corner via a deflection.

This saw the Reds enter a crazy 15 minute spell, where the passing which had been so confident and crisp in the opening quarter of an hour, became weak and wayward. However, they thought they had regained the lead only to see Peter Ramage's header from a Hourihane free-kick ruled out for offside.

James Bailey gave the ball away in midfield and Freddie Sears got free on the right but his stinging shot was brilliantly saved at his near post by Ross Turnbull. Winnall then wasted a good chance at the other end when he scooped Martin Cranie's cross over the bar.

The Reds came out in the second half and looked the sharper side and after a rather anonymous first half, Cole came to life, turning Sean Clohessy, who then clumsily upended the young striker for a penalty.

Why Clohessy wasn't then sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity, I don't know, but Conor Hourihane coolly sent Walker the wrong way to move into double figures for the season and to put the Reds back in front.

Turnbull then grabbed a Moncur shot at the second attempt after the ball slipped out of his grasp, and then saved well from Sears as the visitors sought a second equaliser.

The game was then seemingly put to bed on 70 minutes when Hourihane's left wing corner was powerfully met by the towering Peter Ramage, who headed into the ground and into the top corner of the net.

But, Barnsley being Barnsley, they let their opponents in to set up a arse-twitching last 15 minutes. Rhys Healey slipped in the dangerous Sears and the former West Ham man slammed past Turnbull.

In fairness, Colchester didn't really look like scoring in the last fifteen minutes, but Dale Jennings was introduced for Barnsley in place of Kane Hemmings. Jennings drew criticism from the stands for a weak shot instead of heading for the corner as the clock ticked down.

Healey then directed a header straight at Turnbull as the Reds saw out the game to record their third win in a row.

So, in summary a good win. There were dodgy moments but on the whole, a good display from Danny Wilson's side. Still very much a work in progress, but it looks like it's heading in the right direction.

Player Ratings

Ross Turnbull: Impressive. Commanded his goal well and made two or three vital saves to keep out Freddie Sears. 7

Martin Cranie: Great display from the skipper at an unusual right back berth. Went forward really well and was solid defensively. Super. 8

Peter Ramage: A few wayward passes but a rather impregnable wall. And bagged the Reds' third goal. 8

Lewin Nyatanga: Complimented Ramage well. Just did his job. 7

Joe Dudgeon: Looked uncomfortable first half with Gavin Massey. But firmed up second half. 6

James Bailey: Saw a lot of the ball, which is bound to mean there will be a few errors. Gave the ball away which nearly led to a Colchester goal but otherwise pretty good. 6

Luke Berry: Hmm, a weird one. He either seemed to pick out a stunning pass or give it away. Worked his little socks off again though. 6

Conor Hourihane: What a player we have on our hands here. Bossed the midfield and set up Ramage and bagged his tenth of the season from midfield. In November! 8

Devante Cole: Didn't really see the ball in the first half other than the run that forced a save from Walker. But came alive in the second half, and won the penalty that led to the second goal. 7

Kane Hemmings: A little anonymous really. His link up play was good, but didn't really get involved as much as Winnall. 6

Sam Winnall: Another tireless display from a guy who is rapidly turning into a club legend. Techinically perfect strike for his ninth goal of the season and worked ridiculously hard. Held the ball up fantastically as well. 8

Subs: Dale Jennings (for Hemmings 86), James Bree (for Winnall 90+3).
Unused: Davies, M'voto, Brown, Treacy, Lita.