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

Last updated : 20 April 2008 By Rob Miles (barnsley Boy)

The sooner Leicester depart our division (in either direction) the better. For the third time, The Foxes dealt cruel relegation misery on The Reds. A 2-0 defeat at the old Filbert Street back in 1998 condemend Barnsley to relegation from the Premier League, then last season a 1-0 defeat at Oakwell left fingernails bitten until a goal from Ipswich's Alan Lee sent Leeds down instead. And it was the same story yesterday as a poor game between two poor sides lacking any confidence was settled by a scrappy goal in the away side's favour.

Its probably fortunate that there is only one relegation place left in the Championship to try to avoid as on the showing yesterday, both Barnsley and Leicester could have no complaints if they dropped through the trapdoor.

Seven days ago, a 2-1 win at Preston, on the back of a 3-0 win at Watford had left The Reds needing, realistically to win just one of three home games in a row. It looked a doddle but two defeats on the bounce have set nerves jangling.

Hull were much the better side on Tuesday night but Barnsley dominated this game without ever looking like adding the killer touch.

Daniel Nardiello's daisy-cutter was tipped wide by Leicester keeper Paul Henderson whilst at the opposite end Luke Steele was out quickly to block Iain Hume.

The best chance of the half arrived on 42 minutes and what a chance it was. Leicester failed to clear a cross from Diego Leon and the ball dropped, 25 yards out to Martin Devaney, who hit a terrific shot that cannoned back off the post and Jon Macken stabbed the rebound over.

And then straight after the restart, the woodwork saved Leicester again. Gareth McAuley made a hash of Stephen Foster's cross and the ball fell perfectly for Leon. But somehow, after composing himself, he too smacked the effort off the post.

Nardiello then showed great skill to salomed between to defenders but flashed his effort over, whilst Lewin Nyatanga's flick was cleared off the line.

As so often as happened this season. The Reds profligacy was punished. Leicester had served warning when Patrick Kisnorbo blazed over an empty net when Steele failed to deal with David Bell's freekick and on 73 minutes they hit the hammer blow. A long ball punted forward was dealt with horribly by Nyatanga as the Welshman ballooned the ball up into the air. Barry Hayles then held him off before squaring to Hume who slid the ball under Steele's body.

Just like on Tuesday night, Davey went for broke and as the match ended, Michael Coulson, Kayode Odejayi, Jon Macken and Jamal Campbell-Ryce were all upfront with Foster but despite being denied what looked a cast iron penalty when Odejayi was hauled down by Kisnorbo, the equaliser couldn't come and Barnsley are facing into the relegation abyss.

Next weekend's game with Charlton is must win, no ifs and no buts!

Player Ratings:

Luke Steele: Was at fault for Hull's third goal on Tuesday but could do nothing when Hume bundled home. A quiet afternoon apart from that. 7

Rob Kozluk: Booked again after another late tackle. Unimpressive. Booked. 5

Stephen Foster: Solid defensively and even went upfront as The Reds chased the equaliser. 6

Dennis Souza: Back to his best after Tuesday. Won everything in the air, great display. 8

Lewin Nyatanga: Awful mistake for the goal and struggled with Hayles. 6

Martin Devaney: Agonisingly close with a wonderful effort that hit the post but wasn't at his best. Subbed. 6

Brian Howard: Back in the side after injury and illness but failed to dictate the pace. 6

Bobby Hassell: Nightmare. Never found a red shirt all game. As soon as the ball came to him he just hit it without looking. Subbed. 3

Diego Leon: Looked exciting when on the ball and denied by the woodwork. Wasn't used enough though and plays much better in the middle. 7

Jon Macken: Like his early days at the club. Good link up play but doesn't look like scoring. 6

Daniel Nardiello: Poor in the first half and continually offside. A lot better after the break and was just starting to cause the Leicester defence problems when Davey inexplicably took him off. Subbed. 7

Substitutes:

Kayode Odejayi (for Nardiello 68) Denied a penalty but didn't threaten. 5

Jamal Campbell-Ryce (for Devaney 80) Exciting as ever but should have been on earlier. 7

Michael Coulson (for Hassell 85) Hassell should have been off when Odejayi came on. Coulson deserves a start. Always looks dangerous on the ball. 7

Unused Substitutes:

Kyle Letheren, Istvan Ferenczi

Leicester: Henderson ,Stearman ,McAuley ,Kisnorbo ,Clapham ,Bell (Campbell ,89 ) ,Wesolowski ,Oakley ,Hendrie (Hayles ,43 ) ,Howard ,Hume (N'Gotty ,84)


Subs not used Alnwick,Laczko,

Sponsor's Man of the Match: Diego Leon

BarnsleyBoy's Man of the Match: Dennis Souza. Imposing and unbeatable.

Impressed by Leicester's: Iain Hume. The only player in the Leicester side with any skill. Decided the game.

Ref Watch: Mark Halsey: Another "Premier League" ref trying to show how big a name he is. Poor. 4

Other Reports:

Official Website:

FootyMad

BBC

Coca-Cola Championship Results: Saturday 19th April 2008

BARNSLEY 0-1 Leicester

Blackpool 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday

Colchester 1-5 Coventry

Norwich 1-2 West Brom

Plymouth 2-2 Preston

QPR 1-0 Charlton

Scunthorpe 3-2 Cardiff

Sheffield United 2-0 Hull

Southampton 0-1 Burnley

Stoke 2-1 Bristol City

Watford 0-2 Crystal Palace

Wolves 1-1 Ipswich

Barnsley lie in 19th place in the Coca-Cola Championship with 52 points from 44 games.

We are 16 points off the Play-Offs, 23 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 25 points off First place and 3 points above the Relegation Zone

Up to and including 19/4/08

Next Up:

At Oakwell: Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Forty Five: Barnsley v Charlton Athletic Saturday 29th April 2008 Kick Off 3pm

Tickets:

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

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 0871 2266777. 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.

All ticketing information is subject to change. Check www.barnsleyfc.co.uk for the latest information.

On The Road:

Coca Cola Championship Matchday Forty Six: Cardiff City v Barnsley Sunday 4th May 2008 Kick-Off 2pm:

Tickets:

TICKET information for our season finale at Cardiff City will be announced shortly.

Barnsley Football Club will receive an initial allocation of just over 1,000 tickets for the big game at Ninian Park on Sunday May 4, 2008, KO 2.00pm.

Full ticketing information will be announced on Monday April 21, 2008.