You don't know why you do it. You just buy one, knowing it will be defeat, but also knowing that you have to buy one because you'll never forgive yourself if you decide not to and they win. Obviously I'm talking about a ticket for Sheffield Wednesday away- something which for the last 11 games and 26 years has been a miserable experience. But FINALLY last night that all changed as Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Bobby Hassell became Barnsley legends by helping The Reds win at Hillsborough for the first time since 1982.
After last season when The Reds played well and still lost 1-0, I had really began to consider whether it would ever happen again. Put your hands up if you genuinely thought that, with the side on a run of five straight defeats, and Wednesday undefeated at home since November, that it would happen last night. Right now put your hands down because your lying.
In Barnsley's first season back in the Championship, 6,000 fans went in hope, last season it was 5,000 and has expectations dropped, 4,000 made the venture last night on a rather mild evening. Those 4,000 will never forget the experience.
There was a small sense of buoyancy before the match due to three new players being in the squad and the return of captain Stephen Foster, Hugo Colace and Daniel Bogdanovic (three players who would all have missed the game if it had been played on its original date, two weeks ago).
What ensued was a typically scrappy South Yorkshire derby, that despite boasting a card happy referee in Russell Booth- failed to produce a red card- Only the third time there hasn't been a red in the last six meetings between the two sides. Unfortunately there was a costly card, as Campbell-Ryce picked up his fifth booking of the season shortly after hitting the all-important goal, for holding up a Wednesday free-kick.
In these type of matches, often one moment of quality can decide it and in Campbell-Ryce, Barnsley had somebody capable of producing it, and after 38 minutes, boy did he ever!
A Wednesday free-kick was cleared to Anderson who fed Bogdanovic in the centre-circle. He in turn slipped the ball to Campbell-Ryce on the left wing, who tricked and turned Tommy Spurr, then drove into the area and beat James O'Connor before rifiling an incredible shot with his left foot into the far top corner!
You seriously had to be there to describe the noise and pandemonium that eruped from the away end.
As is usually expected when The Reds get a lead away from home they retreated into their shells in the second half and implored Wednesday to find a way through. But Bobby Hassell, Stephen Foster and Darren Moore were absolute rocks at the back and although the stats show Wednesday had six shots on target, to Barnsley's four and nine corners to Barnsley's one, they only had two real chances and I'm still trying to fathom how both stayed out.
On 67 minutes,Darren Potter swung in a corner that Heinz Muller missed, and somehow Marciano Van Homoet blocked the ball on the line, before the moment that Reds fans began to dream arrived with two minutes remaining.
All evening Wednesday had failed to get a clear sight on goal but finally one arrived in the 88th minute. Substitute Francis Jeffers slipped Marcus Tudgay in on goal and the Owls top scorer dinked the ball over the onrushing Muller. With a goal almost a certainty, Hassell arrived from seemingly nowhere and managed to hook the ball away from right on the goal-line. The cheer from the Barnsley fans was as loud as if The Reds had scored a goal themselves.
This action came just seconds after Reds sub Jon Macken came close to doubling Barnsley's lead with their only real attack of the second half. Mifsud slipped the ball to Macken but the striker was at an acute angle and Grant beat the ball away at his near post.
Incredibly five minutes of injury time were added on, but it didn't matter. The final whistle signalled scenes reminiscent of Anfield last season. Somehow though this was even better!
Player Ratings:
Heinz Muller: Stood firm like his defence in the second half. Made one very good stop and his punching, whilst giving Reds fans nervous moments, was spot on! When he did make an error, Van Homoet was there to help him out. 8
Marciano Van Homoet: Surely he's more of a winger than a full back? He's like lightening going forward but cannot defend for toffee... apart of course for that great block on the line! Booked. 6
Darren Moore: He's built like a brick outhouse, and he acted like one. NOTHING got past him all night, he won every header and completely froze the muscular Leon Clarke out of the game. Booked. 9
Stephen Foster: This game needed the calming influence of captain Foster, and it got it!. Produced some brilliant blocks and wore his heart on his sleeve. 9
Bobby Hassell: Oh what a match! He's produced some outstanding displays in his near five years at the club but none more so than Tuesday night. Jermaine Johnson was a pain but he never let him rest. Whenever Johnson beat him, Hassell was back to make sure he would have to beat him again... Oh yeah and he cleared a ball off the line or something near the end. 10
Jamal Campbell-Ryce: Often the man for the big occasion, and especially in Yorkshire derbies. Three of his eight goals this season have come in derbies and he wrote his name into Oakwell history by ending the Hillsborough hoodoo! Booked. 8
Anderson De Silva: Wasted some great counter-attacks when he opted to pass when shooting was a better option.. even if his shooting is a bit awry. Was calmness personified on the ball. 8
Hugo Colace: When he plays we are such a much better team. Its surely no coincidence that the last league game Colace played was the last time The Reds picked up a point before Tuesday. Tackling was spot on! 8
Andranik Teymourian: Very impressive debut! Like Anderson and Colace he knows what to do when he gets the ball (even if Anderson picked the wrong option now and again). Can tell he has come from a higher level and although he didn't do much spectacular, if it wasn't for Hassell's performance, Andranik would have been my Man of the Match. Subbed. 9
Daniel Bogdanovic: Not as impressive as against Ipswich, and he didn't really compete in the air. Showed some good touches on the ground however and played a great pass for Campbell-Ryce's goal. Subbed. 6
Michael Mifsud: Looks like one of those players that you hate if he's on the opposition side but love if he's in your team. Was very dangerous in the first half and chased everything. Went quiet after the break, but needs to cut out the silly swan dives. Booked. 7
Substitutes:
Jon Macken (for Bogdanovic 69): Knows he has a challenge to his shirt and performed well when he came on. Certainly competed better in the air than Bogdanovic and was only denied a goal by a smart save from Lee Grant. 7
Adam Hammill (for Andranik 80) Showed glimpses of what he can produce. Very quick and was hitting some cracking volleys in the pre-match warm-up. 7
Unused Substitutes:
Luke Steele, Dennis Souza, Martin Devaney.
BarnsleyBoy's Man of the Match: Bobby Hassell: Had the game of his life, capped by the match winning clearance at the end. Its thanks to him, just as much as Campbell-Ryce that the Hillsborough hoodoo is over! Thank you Bobby!
Sheff Wed: Grant, Buxton, Wood, Hinds, Spurr, Johnson (Small 70), Potter, O'Connor, Gray (Jeffers 62), Tudgay, Clarke (Boden 80).
Subs Not Used: O'Donnell, McAllister.
Most Impressed by Sheffield Wednesday's: Jermaine Johnson: His pace caused problems so it was a surprise and a relief when he was taken off twenty minutes from time.
Ref Watch: Russell Booth: Way too card happy. A derby needs calmness from the ref, not him waving cards like confetti. 4
Coca-Cola Championship Results: Tuesday 17th February 2009
Burnley 1-1 Coventry
Doncaster 1-0 Bristol City
Plymouth 1-3 Crystal Palace
Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 BARNSLEY
Watford 2-0 Swansea
Wednesday 18th February 2009
Derby 4-1 Blackpool
Ipswich 2-1 Nottingham Forest
Barnsley lie in 18th place in the Coca-Cola Championship with 35 points from 31 games.
We are 16 points off the Play-Offs, 25 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 28 points off First place and 3 points above the Relegation Zone.
Up to and including 19/2/09
Next Up:
At Oakwell:
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Thirty Two: Barnsley v Charlton Athletic Saturday 21st February 2009 Kick-Off 3pm.
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Thirty Three: Barnsley v Queens Park Rangers Saturday 28th February 2009 Kick-Off 3pm
Tickets:
East Stand and West Stand Upper Tiers
Adults £21.00
OAP/Juvenile £12.00
Juveniles (U11) £6.00
Barnsley Chronicle Family Area
Adults £21.00
OAP £12.00
Juvenile £12.00
Juveniles (U11) £6.00
East Stand Lower and West Stand Lower
Adults £20.00
OAP/Juveniles £11.00
Juveniles (U11) £5.00
CK Beckett Stand (Pontefract Road End)
Adults £19.00
OAP/Juveniles £11.00
Juveniles (U11) £5.00
All Disabled Areas £19.00
Helpers FREE OF CHARGE
To book tickets for forthcoming matches simply phone the Oakwell Box Office. 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 Thirty Four: Cardiff City v Barnsley Tuesday 3rd March 2009 Kick Off 7:45pm
Tickets:
Seating:
Adult - £24.00
Senior Citizens (Over 60) - £15.00
Juvenile (Under 16) - £15.00
Standing:
Adult - £22.00
Senior Citizens (Over 60) - £15.00
Juvenile (Under 16) - £15.00
Official Reds on the Road coaches will be making the trip to Ninian Park. Price: £25. Coach departs Oakwell at 2:30pm on the day of the game.