Saturday 20th December 2003.
That date probably doesn't mean much to Barnsley fans apart from a chance to get some last minute Christmas shopping in but that date was the last time Barnsley scored a winning goal in the final minute of a game.
Antony Kay's strike at Luton grabbed Barnsley a last gasp 3 points and new boy Grant McCann did exactly the same today.
New care-taker Simon Davey started his first game in charge by playing 3 of the players brought in on loan on Thursday.
McCann started on the right wing in place of Martin Devaney who didn't even make the squad and promptly stormed out of the ground. Ronnie Wallwork replaced Brian Howard who made the bench and Leon Knight replaced Tommy Wright, who joined Walsall, alongside Danny Nardiello upfront.
Michael McIndoe's absence was tended to by a recall for Paul Hayes.
After the week's extraordinary events there was a wave of cautious optimism around Oakwell with the new recruits but the first half failed to live up to the billing.
This game was the first time the two sides had met since contesting this league's Play-Off Final in 2000. It will probably be more than another 6 years before either team makes it there again.
Ipswich were by no means the worst team The Reds have faced this season, that “accolade” still goes to Leeds, but they were very limited.
Two seasons ago Jonathan Macken scored twice as his then side Manchester City trounced Barnsley 7-1 in the Carling Cup. He barely had two touches for Ipswich today and promptly through a huge hissy fit when substituted after 58minutes. Kicking the bench THREE times!.
Barnsley weren't much better. Ronnie Wallwork's debut turned into a bit of a nightmare as his touch always let him down and he resembled something of a pub player throughout the game! To cap it he was booked in the second half and will miss Saturday's crucial visit to Leeds through suspension as he had 4 booking already for West Brom. No great loss in my opinion.
Leon Knight was often starved of service but made Swansea manager Kenny Jackett's claim that he doesn't work hard enough seem extremely false as the young striker gave a lung busting display and could have scored with The Reds only real chance of the game bar the goal.
On 31 minutes a dreadful back header from Town skipper Jason De Vos allowed Knight to nip in, he was sent sprawling by Town keeper Lewis Price but referee Eddie Ilderton waved away the penalty appeals.
The second half was no explosion either with both teams seemingly happy to get a point and Barnsley only their 2nd clean sheet of the season, Ipswich's 3rd.
The Reds shaded possession but too often aimless long balls were flown forward and Nardiello and Knight aren't the biggest partnership to say the least. The game actually improved when Marc Richards entered the fray (Don't ever expect me to say that again)
Ipswich could have won it on 76 minutes when Gavin Williams attempted a chip from the edge of the area that Colgan just managed to turn over.
And so the board went up to indicate 5 minutes of added time with a quite decent point in the bag. Until probably the 3rd of the 5 minutes.
Kyel Reid was simply electric when he came on with 9minutes to go and after his right wing cross was poorly cleared McCann stepped up to rifle the ball into the corner. Price never even moved.
BarnsleyBoy's Verdict: Priceless win today with Leeds also winning, Hull drawing and Southend losing.
The next two games (Southend and Leeds) are now vital to our survival chances. This could well be the week everybody looks back on in May as been pivotal to keeping us up or sending us down.
I would have taken 7 points from the 3 games before today Ill happily take 9 now. Something tells me it wont be that simple though. Nothing ever is with Barnsley Football Club.
Player Ratings:
Nick Colgan: Had very little to do all game bar turn over a Williams chip in the second half. Steady and dependable. 7
Bobby Hassell: Not on the top of his game after returning from injury. Seemed to pick up another knock in the second half which forced him off. Subbed. 6
Antony Kay: Dealt well with Lee and Macken. Starting to look like a Championship player. Booked. 7
Paul Reid ©: Won a lot in the air which he hasn't been doing recently. Hopefully getting back to his best. 7
Paul Heckingbottom: Still the weak link. Got caught out a couple of times but thankfully Ipswich didn't threaten him enough. 5
Grant McCann: Solid, neat and tidy if unspectacular until he popped up with that great finish in injury time! Before goal. 7 After goal 9!!!
Sam Togwell: Had to shoulder a lot of the work with Wallwork having a nightmare. Never stopped running. 7
Ronnie Wallwork: Started in place of Howard but was woeful. His passing and tackling were off the mark. I hope Shepherd hasn't signed a dud. Booked. 4
Paul Hayes: Started on the wing where he was so effective in last season's Play-Offs. No where near the same here. Looked uninterested and his replaced Reid did more in 9minutes. 4
Leon Knight: Totally starved of any proper service but he worked his socks off. Should have score when he was poleaxed by Price. 7
Daniel Nardiello: 2nd start in a row. Missing the bench. Subbed. 5
Substitutes:
Marc Richards (for Nardiello 63) Amazingly his introduction lightened up the game. Mainly because we now had somebody to win those high balls. Jury's still out though Marc. 7
Neil Austin (for Hassell 73) Replaced the injured Hassell and looked solid. 6
Kyel Reid (for Hayes 81) Made an instant impact as his pace frightened the Ipswich backline. Easy to see why he's so highly rated at West Ham. A new but better Martin Bullock. 7
Unused Substitutes:
Brian Howard, Kyle Letheren
Sponsors Man of The Match: Sam Togwell
BarnsleyBoy's Man of the Match: Togwell was solid but didn't particularly stand out. it's a tough call but Ill choose Kay.
Most Impressed By Ipswich's: Jason De Vos. Apart from his poor back-pass that let in Knight he was head and shoulders above anybody else/
Ref Watch: Eddie Ilderton: Not the worst by a long shot. Wasn't good at all but one of the best we've had which says a lot. 6
Coca Cola Championship Results: Saturday 25th November 2006:
Barnsley 1-0 Ipswich
Burnley 1-2 Birmingham
Colchester 3-0 Southend
Derby 1-0 Leicester
Norwich 1-1 Hull
Plymouth 1-2 Leeds
Preston 0-0 Crystal Palace
QPR 0-1 Coventry
Sheffield Wednesday 0-0 Cardiff
Southampton 2-1 Luton
Stoke 1-0 West Brom
Friday 24th November 2006:
Wolves 1-1 Sunderland
Barnsley lie in 22nd place in the Championship with 18 points from 19 games. We are 12 points off the Play-Offs, 19 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 19 points off First Place and 1 point in the Relegation Zone.
P.S
Tommy Wright scored on his debut for League Two leaders Walsall in their 2-1 win over Notts County.
Impressive hey, until you hear he was also booked for an altercation with County goal-keeper Kevin Pilkington.
Something's never change do they…
Next Up:
At Oakwell:
Coca Cola Championship Matchday Twenty: Barnsley v Southend United Tuesday 28th November 2006 Kick-Off 7:45pm
Tickets for the big game are priced at:
East Stand and West Stand Upper Tiers
Adults £22.00
OAP/Juvenile £13.00
Juveniles (U11) £7.00
Barnsley Chronicle Family Area
Adults £22.00
OAP £13.00
Juvenile £13.00
Juveniles (U11) £7.00
East Stand Lower and West Stand Lower
Adults £21.00
OAP/Juveniles £12.00
Juveniles (U11) £6.00
Enterprise PLC Stand (Pontefract Road End)
Adults £20.00
OAP/Juveniles £12.00
Juveniles (U11) £6.00
All Disabled Areas £20.00
Helpers FREE OF CHARGE
To book tickets for forthcoming matches simply phone the Oakwell Box Office on 01226 211200. Alternatively call at the Box Office in person; contact the Box Office by fax on 01226 211444 or e-mail
boxoffice@barnsleyfc.co.uk. Please note that Juvenile U11 tickets must be purchased in advance from the Oakwell Box Office and this price will not be on sale on the turnstiles under any circumstances.On the Road:
Coca Cola Championship Matchday Twenty One: Leeds United v Barnsley Saturday 2nd December 2006 Kick Off 12noon. PLEASE NOTE EARLIER KICK-OFF TIME!!!
Tickets for the game are priced at:
Adults: £26
OAPs (over 60): £15
Juveniles (U16): £15
Barnsley have received an allocation of just over 4,800 tickets for the game at Elland Road.
Official Reds On The Road coaches will be making the trip to Leeds. Coach tickets are also on sale, priced at £19.00 and coaches will depart Oakwell at 10am on the day of the game.
A Few Snaps
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