Well it was inevitable wasn’t it? Going by Barnsley’s record against top half teams this season, a rousing performance and three points was always on the cards against promotion chasing Nottingham Forest, and, despite a nervy final 12 minutes, The Reds deserved to gain revenge for their desperately late defeat at the City Ground back in October… Even top scorer Daniel Bogdanovic found his shooting boots at home to register his 12th and 13th goals of the season but only his third and fourth in front of the Oakwell faithful that love him so dearly. To cap off a special night, The Reds scored in the first half of a home game for the first time since the 2-1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in January, and won a home game after leading at half-time for the first time since way back on the 3rd October when they defeated Ipswich 2-1.
This wasn’t vintage in terms of chances created, and there certainly were not as many clear cut openings as fashioned in the goal-less draw with Crystal Palace at the weekend but, for once, The Reds were clinical and took their chances.
They scored with their first effort after just 12 minutes. From inside his own half, Nathan Doyle floated a free-kick into the Forest area, Stephen Foster flicked it on and Bogdanovic sent a fantastic looping header that arched over Forest keeper Lee Grant and dropped beautifully into the top corner. It was the start and the breathing space that The Reds needed and that they have failed to garner on far too many occasions in front of their own supporters this season. It should really have been two just four minutes later when Adam Hammill- who had a subdued night before departing injured with less than half an hour gone- curled a lovely effort towards the far corner which Camp did well to palm away.
Forest, despite their woeful recent record away from Nottingham, are not a side in third position by fluke and twice they should have scored through the veteran Dele Adebola- both from identical positions when Ryan Shotton let the target man go and he knocked the ball wide of the advancing Luke Steele. They were two glaring misses and probably show why he has only scored three times in 33 appearances for Billy Davies’ side this season.
That though was the sum of it in terms of chances in the opening period, but The Reds still had the upper hand with Bobby Hassell, Jon Macken and Hugo Colace (yes Hugo Colace) putting in some committed displays.
The second half continued on the same theme, chances were at a premium for both sides but Forest came desperately close to an equaliser within 10 minutes of the restart. Radoslaw Majewski hit a rasping drive that cannoned off the post but by and large, they were restricted to long range efforts that flew high into the stand housing 2,000 noisy away supporters.
Barnsley thought they had sealed the points on 65 minutes when they were awarded a penalty. Teixeira showed superb skill to nip inside Robert Earnshaw and George Boyd and Earnshaw pushed him to the floor. We had been here before though against Forest. 11 months ago, a looping header had put The Reds ahead and then that same man – on that occasion, Jamal Campbell-Ryce- missed a penalty that would have given The Reds a two goal cushion, and Earnshaw grabbed a share of the spoils. There would be no repeat here however as Bogdanovic became the first Barnsley striker to hit double figures in the league since Marc Richards in 2005-2006, and the first at this level since Bruce Dyer in 2001-2002, as he coolly sent Camp the wrong way for his 13th goal in all competitions.
This second goal seemed to finally sting Forest into life and Steele had to be at his best to get down to a Majewski drive but the keeper was finally beaten with 12 minute remaining to set nerves jangling. Majewski was given too much space to swing in a right footed cross from the left and Shotton then misjudged the flight of the ball to give Dexter Blackstock a free header six yards out. Steele produced a stunning stop to deny him, but it was simple for Blackstock to poke in the rebound.
The goal prompted Forest to throw men forward and they finished the match –with was ludicrously extended for five extra minutes- with three forwards on the pitch but they only came close to an equaliser once. Earnshaw and Steele both went up for a freekick, Steele lost control of the ball and Earnshaw stabbed it in, but referee Kevin Friend awarded The Reds a freekick.
This result means that Barnsley have now taken points from every team that occupies the top nine places in the division- a total of 27 points- but they now face back to back away games against Ipswich and Bristol City who occupy places in the bottom 10 places of the division, before they attempt to claim a second successive double over local rivals Doncaster Rovers. It is games like those The Reds need to start winning to prove they belong with the teams at the top who they seem able to beat.
Player Ratings
Luke Steele – Produced a great stop from Majeswki and from Blackstock. Very unlucky to see the rebound go past him. 7
Bobby Hassell – At the top of his game right now. Never put a foot wrong all night. George Boyd has hit 12 goals for a side at the bottom of the league this season so has proved his class, but he had a frustrating 68 minutes against our Bobby before being replaced. 9
Ryan Shotton – Struggled with the power of Adebola and twice let him go in the first half, with only the profligacy of the striker stopping him from really punishing the Reds. Also misjudged the flight of the ball for Forest’s goal. 5
Stephen Foster – Probably one of his best games of the season. Compensated for Shotton’s lapses and even got forward to set up the first goal. 8
Luke Potter – Started a bit shaky, which is understandable for a player making only his third Championship start, but he grew more confident as the game wore on. 7
Filipe Teixeira – A quiet game by his own mesmerising standards, but he still had enough of an impact to show some lovely control and tie up Earnshaw and Boyd in knots to win the penalty. Booked. 6.5
Nathan Doyle – A game of two halves for Doyle. Was solid and composed in the first half, but as The Reds sat back after the break he seemed to panic more than most. Whenever he received the ball in the final ten minutes he just smacked it anywhere when a simple pass out of a danger looked the better option. 7
Hugo Colace – MUCH MUCH better! Why can’t he do this every week? Looked like he relished the battle last night and made some good blocks. Has to perform like this more often! 7.5
Adam Hammill – A poor 25 minutes culminating in a booking for fouling Earnshaw after the Welshman dispossesed him. Booked. Subbed. 4
Jon Macken – May be going through a renaissance. Written off a few weeks ago, he has put in a couple of very good performances. I don’t think he gave the ball away once last night. The instincts that have brought him 70 goals in his career may be on the wane but he can easily reinvent himself as a target man and creator as he has shown in the last two matches. As Ali says in his report, lets hope Robins sticks with two upfront on Saturday and keeps Macken in. 9
Daniel Bogdanovic – Finally produced at home what he’s been producing away all season. A great flicked header for the first and a wonderfully composed header for the second. Now on 13 goals for the season and well on course to beat Brian Howard’s total of 14 in 2007-2008. Subbed. 8
Substitutions:
Emil Hallfredsson (For Hammill 25) – Quiet game. Did the simple things right, like breaking away on the counter. 7
Iain Hume (for Bogdanovic 74) – Not sure what was wrong with Humey! Looked absolutely shattered within five minutes of coming on. None of that energetic, non stop running that he is famous for. Booked. 4
Unused: David Preece, O’Neil Thompson, Anderson De Silva, Jacob Butterfield, Andy Gray.
Sponsor's Man of the Match: Filipe Teixeira
BarnsleyBoy's Men of the Match: Bobby Hassell & Jon Macken: Teixeira had a quiet game by his standards whilst Hassell and Macken were outstanding.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST: Camp, Perch, Morgan, Wilson, Adebola (Blackstock 73), Earnshaw, Cohen, Gunter, Moussi (Anderson 82), Boyd (Tyson 67), Majewski.
Subs: Chambers, Garner, McGoldrick, Smith.
Most Impressed by Nottingham Forest's: Radoslaw Majewski: The Pole has been a real find from his own country and was a constant menace all night.
Ref Watch: Kevin Friend: Certainly a friend to Barnsley, with some dubious decisions. Steele seemed to spill the ball at the death but thankfully Friend awarded a freekick. 7
Coca Cola Championship Results Tuesday 16th March 2010:
BARNSLEY 2-1 Nottingham Forest
Coventry 1-2 Cardiff
Crystal Palace 0-1 Leicester
Derby 2-2 Middlesbrough
Peterborough 1-2 Doncaster
Plymouth 3-2 Bristol City
Preston 2-2 Sheffield Wednesday
Reading 1-0 QPR
Sheffield United 3-0 Blackpool
Swansea 0-2 West Brom
Watford 2-1 Ipswich
Wednesday 17th March 2010
Newcastle 3-0 Scunthorpe
Barnsley lie in 12th place in the Coca-Cola Championship with 49 points from 36 games.
We are 6 points off the Play-Offs, 23 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 27 Points off First place and 11 points above the Relegation Zone.
Up to 17/3/10
Next Up:
On The Road:
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Thirty Seven: Ipswich Town v Barnsley Saturday 20th March 2010 Kick-Off 3pm.
Tickets:
ADULTS - £31.00
SENIOR CITIZENS (OVER 60) - £22.00
STUDENTS (FULL TIME AND NUS*) - £22.00
YOUNG ADULT (16-19 YEARS) - £22.00
JUVENILES (UNDER 16) - £11.00
* Please note that a valid NUS card must be shown at the turnstiles.
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Thirty Eight: Bristol City v Barnsley Tuesday 23rd March 2010 Kick-Off 7:45pm
ADULTS - £25.00
SENIOR CITIZENS (OVER 65) - £20.00
STUDENTS (FULL TIME AND NUS*) - £15.00
JUVENILES (UNDER 16) - £10.00
* Please note that a valid NUS card must be shown at the turnstiles.
At Oakwell:
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Thirty Nine: Barnsley v Doncaster Rovers Saturday 27th March 2010 Kick-Off 7:45pm (ALL TICKET)
East Stand and West Stand Upper Tiers
Adults £22.00
OAP/Juvenile £12.00
Juveniles (U12) £6.00
Family Area
Adults £22.00
OAP £13.00
Juvenile £13.00
Juveniles (U12) £7.00
East Stand Lower and West Stand Lower
Adults £21.00
OAP/Juveniles £12.00
Juveniles (U12) £6.00
CK Beckett Stand (Pontefract Road End)
Adults £20.00
OAP/Juveniles £12.00
Juveniles (U12) £6.00
All Disabled Areas £20.00
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.