Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Forty Five: Barnsley 0-1 Leicester City

Last updated : 12 August 2007 By Rob Miles (barnsley Boy)

Seven years ago Barnsley were beaten 4-2 by Ipswich Town in the Division One Play-Off Final to stop The Reds returning to the Premiership.

Six years ago Leeds were defeated 3-0 by Valencia in the Semi-Finals of the European Champions League.

On the 28th April 2007 Ipswich grabbed an 88th minute equaliser at Elland Road that virtually condemned Leeds to League One and guaranteed another season of Championship football for Barnsley Football Club.

When the afternoon kicked off at 3pm The Reds had destiny in their own hands. Beat Leicester who were level on points with Barnsley and survival was guaranteed. Both clubs knew the rewards at stake with 20,012 filling Oakwell with hundreds locked out. It was the second highest Oakwell attendance of the season. The fans were expectant.

What proceeded though was probably the worst game of football witnessed this season! (yep even worse than the hammering dished out by Colchester)

The first half resembled nothing more than a training match with both teams seemingly content to play for a point which in all likelihood would keep both teams up. Leicester were better. But only marginally.

Brian Howard was named Supporters Player of the Year before kick-off but played like he was carrying the trophy down his socks!

0-0 looked odds-on until Neil Austin got bored and decided to swing the game in Leicester's favour.

Matty Fryatt beat a flimsy offside trap to race onto Shaun Newton's long ball.

Nick Colgan then decided to leave his line for the first time this season leaping like a gazelle out of his area into no-mans land as Fryatt lifted the ball over him. It wasn't a great attempt and the retreating Austin seemed to have it covered. A swift kick over the bar or even out for a throw-in would have been sufficient. Bizarrely though he decided to fling himself at the ball in an attempt to head it away but failed to get enough direction or power on it and he ended up heading the ball into the far corner of the net.

With both teams now embarrassed by the fact that they could be giving Leeds a sniff of survival Barnsley took off their trunks and sunglasses and resembled professional footballers.

Danny Nardiello was denied twice in a minute by the legs of the previously redundant Leicester keeper Conrad Logan.

Istvan Ferenczi and Howard both missed golden opportunities and then it happened….

News filtered through that both Leeds AND Hull were winning, a scenario that at this point was unthinkable.

If things stayed the same, The Reds faced the daunting task of possibly needing to win at the Hawthorns against play-off chasing West Bromwich Albion to ensure survival.

The tension could have been cut with a knife as Oakwell fell silent. Until the scoreboard flashed with 2minutes remaining. Leeds 1-1 Ipswich!!! Championship safety secured.

Job done Simon… but only just!!!

Player Ratings:

Nick Colgan: First time he leaves his line all season and we pay. Made two cracking saves after that though. 7

Paul Heckingbottom: Again tended to drift inside too often, but not one of his worst displays. 7

Paul Reid ©: Unlike his team-mates he still played like this game meant something. Gave his all. 8

Antony Kay: Caught out for the long ball that lend to the goal but unruffled otherwise. Booked. 7

Neil Austin: A committed display but nodded the ball into his own net to give Leicester the points. Had plenty of time to clear it. 6

Martin Devaney: Too subdued. Went through the motions like many of the players. 6

Brian Howard: Named Player of the Year but truly woeful in the first half. A lot more involved after Leicester's goal and tried to gee up his team-mates. 7

Sam Togwell: Hardly figured in the game which possibly sums up his season. 6

Kyel Reid: Probably the best attacking outlet before injury ended his afternoon. Subbed. 7

Istvan Ferenczi: A poor game! Consistently gave away free-kicks. Worst match so far! 4

Daniel Nardiello: Forced two saves from Logan within a minute shortly after Leicester took the lead but due to the lack of ambition from the team to attack he saw less and less of the ball. 7

Substitutes:

Peter Rajczi (for K.Reid 74) Hasn't done enough for me to earn a permanent deal. Barely flickered here. 5

Unused Substitutes:

Grant McCann, David Lucas, Robert Atkinson, Ritchie Jones

Sponsor's Man of the Match: Kyel Reid

BarnsleyBoy's Man of the Match: Kyel Reid was the best attacking outlet but Paul Reid looked to be the only one with any passion for the game.

Most Impressed by Leicester's: Iain Hume was bubbly and always performs against Barnsley.

Ref Watch Richard Booth: A bit fussy but that is actually a compliment for a ref these days. 7

Player of the Year:

Supporters Player of the Year: Brian Howard

Disabled Player of the Year: Brian Howard

Young Player of the Year: Robert Atkinson

Academy Player of the Year: Ryan Jennings

Patrick Cryne Award for Most Promising Young Academy Player: Reuben Lazarus.

Coca-Cola Championship Results Saturday 28th April 2007

Barnsley 0-1 Leicester

Birmingham 2-0 Sheffield Wednesday

Cardiff 0-1 Hull

Coventry 0-1 West Brom

Leeds 1-1 Ipswich

Norwich 0-1 Southampton

Plymouth 2-0 Preston

Southend 1-3 Luton

Stoke 3-1 Colchester

Wolves 2-0 QPR

Friday 27th April 2007

Sunderland 3-2 Burnley

Sunday 29th April 2007

Crystal Palace 2-0 Derby

The Weekend's Ups and Downs

Championship:

Up:- Derby's 2-0 defeat at Crystal Palace saw Birmingham and Sunderland both bounce straight back up to the Premiership.

Down:- Southend's 3-1 defeat at home to Luton saw last season's League One Champions join Luton back in League One.

League One:

Down:- Chesterfield defeat Bradford 3-0 but both sides were relegated as Cheltenham won at Rotherham.

Overall:

Premiership: Relegated- Watford

Championship: Promoted- Birmingham, Sunderland

Relegated- Southend, Luton

League One: Promoted- Scunthorpe (Champions)

Relegated- Chesterfield, Bradford, Brentford, Rotherham

League Two: Promotoed- Walsall, Hartlepool

Relegated- Torquay

Barnsley lie in 20th place in the Coca Cola Championship with 50 points from 45 games. We are 22 points off the Play-Offs, 35 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 36 points off First Place and 4 points above the Relegation Zone.

Next Up:

On The Road:

Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Forty Six West Bromwich Albion v Barnsley Sunday 6thMay 2007 Kick-Off 1pm

Tickets:

Adults - £23.00
Senior Citizens (Over 60) - £14.00
Juveniles (Under 18) - £14.00
Juveniles (Under 16) - £11.00

Official Reds On The Road coaches will be making the trip to West Brom. Coaches will depart Oakwell at 9.00am on the day of the game and the fare is £11.00.

Other Reports:

Official Report

Footymad Report