Heinz Muller proved again he has the safest hands in the Championship with his second penalty save out of two, but even he was upstaged as hero of the hour by a performance that deserved ten goals never mind one.
In September last season Barnsley beat Wolves 1-0 at Oakwell but on that afternoon it was only the heroics of Wolves goalkeeper Matt Murray that kept the score line down. Last night it was the same story. With Murray out for the season with injury step forward 20 year old Wayne Hennessey. Already installed as the No.1 for the Welsh national team, he produced a string of superb saves to deny Istvan Ferenczi, Dominik Werling, Stephen Foster and Jamal Campbell-Ryce last night.
Wolves came into the contest with just two defeats on the road this campaign and on a run of six games without defeat and five clean sheets in a row!
Barnsley though were buoyed by ending Ipswich's incredible home run at the weekend and set out extending their own after a nervy opening 15 minutes.
Brian Howard and Campbell-Ryce were back in the side after suspension and JCR proceeded to turn in probably the best match of his career! He tortured former England cap Michael Gray and very nearly put The Reds in front on 40 minutes when he cleverly danced inside and out of the Wolves defence before unleashing a wonderful curling effort that just flew past the post.
It should have been all over before that anyway. With Wolves aim clearly to utilise the long ball to lone striker Andy Keogh, The Reds decided to play attacking, passing football and Wolves simply couldn't cope.
On 15 minutes another lovely turn from Campbell-Ryce allowed him space to run in the area and produce a great strike that Hennessey did well to beat around the post.
Anderson De Silva had another 25 yarder well held by Hennessey before the Welsh stopper produced the save of the match on 42 minutes. A foul by Karl Henry on Howard, gave Werling his opportunity from 30yards. He didn't disappoint. Arrowing a great free kick that was destined for the top corner but out of nowhere Hennessey somehow palmed it over the bar! World class save!
The second half started in the same fashion with Wolves looking nothing like the side that had rose to 3rd in the Championship.
Foster came from the back to hammer a drive that Hennessey beat away before he thwarted Ferenczi's header.
On 47 minutes though the Hungarian found a way through. And after all the superb efforts produced throughout the game it was a scrappy goal that settled it.
Martin Devaney nipped past Gray on the right hand side before delivering a delicious cross into the area. Ferenczi rose to meet it and missed, but Karl Henry, in attempting to head the ball out for a corner headed it straight to Ferenczi who stabbed in from 6 yards.
Relief more than anything filled Oakwell but the joy nearly turned to despair with seconds as Wolves were awarded a penalty at the other end on 48. Lewin Nyatanga harshly adjudged to have held back Stephen Elliott.
But Andy Keogh suffered the same fate as Preston's Neil Mellor at the start of November as Muller beat away the penalty before Werling completed the clearance!
That was to be the closest Wolves were to get to an equaliser despite throwing Freddy Eastwood into the fray and it became a case of whether The Reds could extend their lead.
A lovely flick from Ferenczi released the again excellent Jon Macken on 69 minutes but his first touch let him down and Hennessey was able to pounce whilst Anderson De Silva miscued his shot when Hennessey's flap had presented the Brazilian with an open net.
The Reds thought they had a penalty at the death when Campbell-Ryce's drive clearly struck Henry on the arm but referee Graham Salisbury was having none of it.
It didn't matter Barnsley secured their fourth successive home win to move to 8th. The promotion dream isn't dead just yet….
Player Ratings:
Heinz Muller: Was a virtual spectator most of the night, but boy did he prove his worth when it mattered! Wolves had once chance- a penalty and Muller just refuses to be beaten with those! 8
Dominik Werling: The best I have seen him play, especially in a defensive capacity. Whenever Wolves tried to break down the wings he stuck to his man like a leach! Denied another one of his Roberto Carlos goals by an excellent Hennessey save. 8
Dennis Souza: Wolves main ploy was a long ball up to Keogh. Souza snuffed that out from the first minute. 8
Lewin Nyatanga: Very harshly judged to have fouled Elliott for the penalty. But it didn't affect his game. Another excellent performance. 8
Stephen Foster: Privately may be disappointed to lose the captaincy back to Howard but didn't show it. Worked extremely well with Campbell-Ryce on the wing. 8
Jamal Campbell-Ryce: Finally came of age last night. A truly faultless display. His pace and vision bemused Michael Gray totally. Wolves simply couldn't hold him. Unplayable! 9
Brian Howard: Got The Reds going forward through the middle but did pick the wrong options now and again. Quiet but still effective. 7
Anderson De Silva: I've said it before; this boy will go to the top, with or without Everton. The most talented boy at the club, we look a different team with him. 8
Martin Devaney: Probably upstaged by Campbell-Ryce but he still had his moments. A great cross led to the winning goal. Subbed. 7
Istvan Ferenczi: Back amongst the goals and would have had a hat-trick but for Hennessey. Also tracked back superbly as well! Subbed. 8
Jon Macken: Still needs that goal and then he's got everything. His first touch and link-up play is outstanding. He knows where he's going to put the ball before its even come to him. Subbed. 8
Substitutes:
Sam Togwell (for Devaney 69) For once Togwell was the right substitution. Oakwell legend Mick McCarthy brought on Eastwood to play "in the hole". Davey brought on Togwell to track him and Eastwood never got a sniff. 7
Miguel Mostto (for Macken 88) and Kim Christensen (for Ferenczi 90) Both Ferenczi and Macken had run themselves into the ground. The fresh legs of Mostto and Christensen just killed time. 6 & 6.
Unused Substitutes:
Paul Reid, Grant McCann
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS: Hennessey, D. Ward, Collins, Olofinjana, Henry, Keogh, S. Ward (Eastwood 67), Potter (Gibson 56), Jarvis (Elliott 45), Foley, Gray.
Subs: Edwards, Ikeme.
Sponsor's Man of the Match: Jamal Campbell-Ryce.
BarnsleyBoy's Man of the Match: No disagreements with the sponsors this week. Everybody played superbly but Campbell-Ryce was something else!
Impressed by Wolves': Wayne Hennessey: Wolves only performer on the night. A series of world class saves kept the score respectable.
Ref Watch: Graham Salisbury: Gave a harsh penalty to Wolves and missed a blatant one for The Reds but kept the game under control. 5
Other Reports:
Coca-Cola Championship Results: Tuesday 4th December 2007
BARNSLEY 1-0 Wolves
Bristol City 2-0 Ipswich
Burnley 1-1 Leicester
Cardiff 0-2 Charlton
Colchester 2-3 Watford
Norwich 2-1 Plymouth
Preston 3-0 Hull
QPR 1-2 Crystal Palace
Sheffield United 0-3 Stoke
Southampton 0-0 Sheffield Wednesday
West Brom 2-4 Coventry
Monday 3rd December 2007
Scunthorpe 1-1 Blackpool
Barnsley lie in 8th place in the Coca Cola Championship with 30 points from 20 games.
We are 3 points off the Play-Offs, 5 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 9 points off First Place and 12 points above the Relegation Zone.
Next Up:
At Oakwell:
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Twenty One: Barnsley v Crystal Palace Saturday 8th December 2007 Kick-Off: 3pm
This game has been designated a "Community Day" therefore ticket prices are:
Adults: £15.00
U18s and Senior Citizens: £10.00
U11s: £4.00
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.
On The Road:
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Twenty Two: Sheffield United v Barnsley Saturday 15th December 2007 Kick-Off 3pm
Tickets:
Adults: £24
Senior Citizens: £14
Students (With Valid NUS): £14
Juveniles (U16) £14
Official Coaches will be travelling to Bramall Lane.
Price: £8
Departure Time: 1pm on the day of the game.
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