Missed chances and a couple of poor refereeing decisions cost the Reds all the points in a pulsating South Yorkshire derby.
Sheffield United, decimated by injuries- which would be added to by another two in the first half- were there for the taking but the form of United’s first half keeper Ian Bennett and two very poor penalty decisions by referee Mark Clattenburg ensured the Blades took a share of the points back down the M1 with them.
Bennett was in inspired form for the Blades in the first half before departing at the break with a broken thumb as The Reds, with Anderson and Daniel Bogdanovic in fine form, creating numerous chances. United to their credit were always in the game and had the first real chance after eight minutes when Darren Moore made a complete mess of clearing the ball in his own area, but somehow he, and Luke Steele foiled Jamie Ward.
From the breakaway Anderson played a glorious pass to release Bogdanovic, but just as the Maltese man was about to notch his third goal in as many games, Matthew Kilgallon came out of nowhere to block.
Once again, Barnsley’s central midfield was a cause for concern. Hugo Colace must have bought himself a place in the team because despite a series of poor performances he is continually picked, whilst alongside him, Nathan Doyle did a job, anybody in the ground could have done. Doyle’s night consisted of standing around in the middle and then when the ball came to him, just smacking it in any direction… genius stuff!
The Reds were denied two goals in the space of four minutes by two more breathtaking saves from Bennett. First on 16 minutes, Anderson’s looping header was clawed away by the United keeper but he produced an even better stop on the 20 minute mark, turning away a cracking volley from Bogdanovic.
Then came the game’s first flashpoint. Jon Macken seemed to drape his arm across United defender Andrew Davies and the defender retaliated by nudging his head into Macken’s face. Clattenburg however was lenient with both players.
The opening goal finally arrived after 54 minutes and it nearly blew the roof off Oakwell. Rob Kozluk’s corner was won by Colace, who nudged the ball in the direction of Anderson and the Brazilian hit a beautiful strike into the far corner of substitute keeper Mark Bunn’s net! It was a cracking goal and gave the Reds faithful hope that justice could be done after last year’s events.
Macken should have really made it two just a couple of minutes later but somehow turned a great cross from Carl Dickinson wide before United grabbed an equaliser in very controversial fashion.
A long ball up field was left by Moore and Luke Steele cleanly claimed the ball before clattering into Ched Evans. Amazingly Clattenberg pointed to the spot and Darius Henderson slammed the penalty straight down the middle.
The Reds though must surely have thought they had won it with 15 minutes remaining. Macken did brilliantly to hold the ball up and then outmuscle Davies before squaring the ball to Bogdanovic who simply couldn’t miss. The goal though heralded probably the first confusing moment of Mark Robins reign as manager as he immediately changed his strikeforce including taking off Bogdanovic. In the lead up to the goal, Iain Hume was stood waiting to make an emotional appearance against the Blades but it was a massive surprise to see Bogdanovic also hauled off in favour of Andy Gray, as Hume replaced Macken.
Neither sub made an impression and United grabbed another equaliser with eight minutes remaining after another awful penalty decision. Kyle Walker tricked his way inside Dickinson and as Hammill came across, Walker threw himself to the floor. Clattenberg bought it hook, line and sinker, pointing to the spot and this time Henderson sent Steele the wrong way.
From then on The Reds seemed to be clinging on for the point.
A familiar theme has run through Barnsley’s last three home games, missing chances and refereeing blunders, it has to be hoped one if not both of those changes soon.
Player Ratings:
Luke Steele: Had very little to do but face two penalties. Was harshly adjudged to have conceded the first. 7
Carl Dickinson: Had a terrific game at left back. Was brilliant in the tackle and his crossing was also dangerous. 8
Darren Moore: Nearly gifted United a goal in the opening ten minutes but was solid thereafter. Won everything in the air as usual. 7
Ryan Shotton: Looks far more comfortable at full-back but still gave an assured display. Booked. 7
Rob Kozluk: Has to be back in the stands when Foster returns next week. Really bizarre how one week he plays and the next he’s not even in the squad. Continually gave the ball away tonight. 4
Adam Hammill: The game needed him to come to the fore and he didn’t really perform. Ran into too many blind alleys and never looked a goal threat. 5
Hugo Colace: Our central midfield is crying out for a ball winner- last season it was Colace, this year he’s been a waste of space. 4
Nathan Doyle: Very poor. His only aim was getting rid of the ball as quickly as possible. Amazing he stayed on for 90minutes. 2
Anderson De Silva: Caused United problems all night and scored a splendid goal. 8
Jon Macken: Maybe lucky to stay on the field after his clash with Davies but worked hard all night. Played a great ball across for Bogdanovic’s goal. Subbed. 7
Daniel Bogdanovic: Was excellent and totally destroyed Davies and Derek Geary. Unlucky not to get more than one goal and then bizarrely taken straight off after scoring. Subbed. 9
Substitutes:
Iain Hume (for Macken 75) An emotional appearance for Hume but his impact was minimal. 5
Andy Gray (for Bogdanovic 75) Couldn’t get into the game. Bogdanovic should not have been brought off. 5
Unused Substitutes:
David Preece, O'Neil Thompson, Bobby Hassell, Emil Hallfredsson, Jamal Campbell-Ryce.
Sponsors Man of the Match: Daniel Bogdanovic
BarnsleyBoy's Man of the Match: Totally agree with the sponsors. Top performance from Boggy.
SHEFFIELD UNITED: Bennett (Bunn 45), Killgallon (Geary 45), Henderson, Evans, Harper, Ward, Davies, Treacey (Camara 79), Quinn, Fortune, Walker.
Subs: France, Cotterill, Williamson, Little.
Most Impressed by Sheffield United's: Ian Bennett: Some top class saves in the first half kept the score level before he departed with a broken thumb
Ref Watch: Mark Clattenburg: Had three major decisions to make- the two penalty ones and the Davies/Macken situation. Was sensible with the latter but made horrible mistakes on the penalties. 2
Coca Cola Championship Results Saturday 7th November 2009
Blackpool 4-1 Scunthorpe
Crystal Palace 1-0 Middlesbrough
Leicester 1-2 West Brom
Newcastle 3-1 Peterborough
Nottingham Forest 1-1 Bristol City
Plymouth 2-1 Doncaster
Reading 1-1 Ipswich
Sheffield Wednesday 1-2 QPR
Swansea 3-2 Cardiff
Watford 2-0 Preston
Friday 6th November 2009
Derby 2-1 Coventry
Monday 9th November 2009
BARNSLEY 2-2 Sheffield United
Barnsley lie in 15th place in the Coca-Cola Championship with 18 points from 16 games.
We are 9 points off the Play-Offs, 13 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 15
points off First place and 4 points above the Relegation Zone.
Up to 9/11/09
Next Up:
At Oakwell:
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Seventeen: Barnsley v Cardiff City Saturday 21st November 2009 Kick-Off 3pm.
East Stand and West Stand Upper Tiers
Adults £21.00
OAP/Juvenile £12.00
Juveniles (U12) £6.00
Family Area
Adults £21.00
OAP £12.00
Juvenile £12.00
Juveniles (U12) £6.00
East Stand Lower and West Stand Lower
Adults £20.00
OAP/Juveniles £11.00
Juveniles (U12) £5.00
CK Beckett Stand (Pontefract Road End)
Adults £19.00
OAP/Juveniles £11.00
Juveniles (U12) £5.00
All Disabled Areas £19.00
Helpers FREE OF CHARGE
Please note that Juvenile U12 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 Eighteen: Plymouth Argyle v Barnsley Saturday 28th November 2009 Kick-Off 3pm
Tickets:
ADULTS - £24.00
SENIOR CITIZENS (OVER 65) - £16.00
YOUNG ADULT (UNDER 23) - £16.00
JUVENILES (UNDER 18) - £10.00
FAMILY TICKET (ONE ADULT AND ONE JUVENILE IN A DESIGNATED FAMILY AREA) - £26.00