Barnsley 4-1 Torquay
Yes you read the scoreline right!
The Reds made up for 3 straight defeats with an emphatic win against probably the poorest team to come to Oakwell this season. Pity it was in front of Oakwells lowest crowd of the season though after the last 3 abject performances you couldn't really blame the fans for staying away
Barnsley knew they owed the fans that did turn up and under pressure manager Paul Hart a result and they duly obliged to ensure that the Reds last 3 wins have come with the Reds scoring 4 goals on each occasion.
Hart made three changes after the shambles at Doncaster. New signing Simon Johnson, Nicky Wroe and Tom Williams came in for the surprisingly dropped Chris Shuker, suspended Tony Vaughan and Neil Austin.
I personally would like to have seen McPhail sent to the bench after tuesday instead of Shuker. He was soon to prove me wrong with a man of the match display ( we've only being waiting 6 months steve) along with scoring and setting up two of the goals.
There was nothing much to write home about in the first 23 minutes with McPhail and Chopra off target for the Reds and Leon Constantines fierce shot being well saved by Ross Turnbull the only real actions of notice.
By the 29th minute though the Reds were 3-0 up thanks to a piece of magic from McPhail and 2 pieces of defending even worse than the reds rearguard at Donny ( well almost)
On 24minutes a mazy run from new signing Simon Johnson (who was mostly quiet) was brought to and end on the edge of the area and McPhail stepped up to curly a beauty beyond the reach of rookie keeper Jarvie.
3 minutes later it was 2-0 as McPhail swept in a corner and Torquay messed up the clearance to leave Chopra with the simple task of prodding home from 7 yards.
2 minutes later it was 3-0 as fans could barely draw breath. Another in swinging corner from McPhail saw a poor defensive header fall to the feet of skipper Paul Reid who lashed the ball home off the crossbar
Torquay couldn't believe what had hit them and Turnbull easily saved from an Antony Pullis freekick.
Barnsley though nearly went 4-0 up from yet another McPhail corner on 37 minutes. The ball looped over to Chopra whos volley was cleared off the line by Cannonville.
Torquay quickly responded by sending on two substitutes but the Reds went in 3-0 to the good at the break.
Fans didn't get too excited though as the Reds have a habit of throwing 3-0 leads away and Torquay came flying out of the blocks in the second half with Russell's effort being well saved by Turnbull.
Barnsley weathered the storm though and should have made it 4-0 on 57 minutes Chopra galloped clear but his shot was well saved by Jarvie ( i believe that was the only save he made)
The Reds did get the inevitable fourth on 63 minutes. A superb cross from the right by Johnson was met by the head of Boulding and he thumped it past a stranded Jarvie.
The fans urged them on for a 5th and Wroe and Chopra both went close without success.
Torquay got the customary consolation with 2 minutes remaining. There was a suspicion of handball from Akinfenwa before he sprayed the ball out to the unmarked Phillips he cut inside Tom Williams before lashing a good shot across Turnbull and in off the far post. Turnbulls frustration at missing out on a clean sheet was evident as he slung his fists on the ground.
This result only masked a mediocre team as Torquay merely put this match on a plate for the Reds and the chants of " we still want Hart out say we still want Hart out" came out loud and clear from the Ponty End. But for now the Reds are 3points closer to the magical 50 mark ( what happened to the play-off talk Hart;) ) and it keeps Hart in a job for another week.
The newest Leeds kid on the block Simon Johnson looked good when he got the ball and ran at the defenders but the key word there is when as the ball wasn't played to him often enough, though he played in a majestic cross for the fourth goal.
Keep it up.
Player Ratings
Ross Turnbull virtually a spectator but was able when called upon. Couldn't be faulted for the goal. 7
Tom Williams better than in recent weeks but still played a few poor balls wasnt really challenged by Torquay though and the jury is still out. 6
Antony Kay fairly solid and dealt well in the air against the burly Akinfenwa. 6
Paul Reid alot better than at Doncaster and looked at home at the back not much got past him. 6
Bobby Hassell Played well and got forward whenever possible. After his early season jitters he now looks a good signing. 7
Nicky Wroe a shock inclusion in the starting lineup but gave his all was dependable if not spectacular. 6
Jacob Burns Again was tremendous in the midfield went in for all the 50-50 balls and won most of them Strong contender for Player Of The Year surely. 7
Stephen McPhail Tremendous today scored a peach of a freekick and curled in the two corners that led to the 2nd and 3rd goals. was everywhere for the Reds. Its only taken 6 months hey Steve. 9
Simon Johnson Looked good on the ball and seems to have good pace. Surprisingly though seemed to be playing right wing and this maybe restricted his talent. A superb cross for the fourth goal. Subbed. 7
Michael Chopra Again gave his all.Easy tap in for his goal and should have had another when he broke clean through in the second half. He will definitely be missed next season. 7
Michael Boulding A marked improvement from recent performances. Won his fair share of headers and was in the right place at the right time for the fourth. alot better Michael. Subbed. 7
Subs
Shuker ( for Johnson 77) was Surprisingly dropped and his appearance at 4-0 had the fans drooling of more goals... but was very poor and seemed to lose the ball at every touch Hopefully a one off Chris. 5
Nardiello ( for Boulding 86) got his customary few minutes and looked lively went close with one shot that hit the side netting. 6