Dan The Man Scores Again But Its Dannys Boys Who Enjoy the Point

Last updated : 19 March 2005 By Rob Miles (barnsley Boy)

The sooner this season ends the better.

The injury list gets bigger and a few "stars" are all packed for their summer holidays on the evidence of today.

Stephen McPhail was handed the captains armband in the shock absence of Paul Reid who finally succumbed to his foot injury but Macca has never looked like he'd left the beach last summer and he spurned a glorious chance to win it for the Reds.

It wasn't all doom and gloom though as there were quite a few plus points. Tom Williams looks a far better bet at centre back than left back, Bobby Hassell is now turning man of the match performances in on a regular basis, four academy graduates started the game and another three lined the bench. The future does indeed look bright.

The biggest plus point in my opinion though is the reamergence of Daniel Nardiello, who scored while looking offside had two "goals" wrongly ruled offside and spurned a very good chance. Hasn't got anything to do with the departure of a certain Paul Hart has it?

Many people have questioned this lads work-rate but today along with strike partner Simon Johnson he worked his socks off and Nardiello-Johnson is looking an extremely good partnership.

This partnership set up a "goal for Nardiello after 15minutes as Johnson flicked the ball through for the on-loan Man Utd youngster to run onto before planting the ball past Baker in the Dons goal. It was harshly ruled offside.

The Mk Dons were the first out of the blocks though after 6minutes. A free-kick curled towards goal by Lewington needed three or four attempts for Flinders before he got control of it. That was a jittery moment for the young keeper he was magnificent after though rarely called into action.

The game then descended into a "pump it long" battle until 5 minutes before half-time. Johnson burst through the middle of the MK Dons defence before playing in Nardiello, the flag stayed down he went for the same corner as the previous "goal" but somehow slipped it wide.

He wasn't to be denied though with the last kick of the half.

McPhail finally did something right playing a glorious ball through for Nardiello yet again to run onto, the flag stayed down and he finished with a aplomb before blowing a kiss to the Barnsley fans to thank them for their continuous support.


The chances kept flowing in the second half with Nardiello again wrongly frustrated by an offside flag after 50minutes. Robbie Williams smashed the ball to wards the keepers left hand corner it deflected off a Dons defender and Nardiello slid in to divert it into the opposite corner. But no goal.

Five minutes later the Dons were level. Barnsley’s lack of height at the back proved costly as the Dons sent up their big guys for a free kick and when it was only half cleared Pensee Bilong headed past a stranded Flinders.

Barnsley continued creating the chances though with McPhail standing two yards out with keeper and defenders having fallen over each other. Ludicrously he tried to do a trick it went wrong and the ball was cleared.

At the final whistle the Dons were ecstatic with the point whilst Barnsley fans had to deal with once again sharing the spoils.

Ratings:

Scott Flinders: looked a bit nervy at first but improved immensely handled crosses impressively. 7

Dale Tonge: committed as they come put in some crunching challenges lack of height only bad point. 7

Tom Williams: asked to play centre half in the absence of Reid stuck at his task well. 6

Bobby Hassell: again impressed and wasn't scared to bring the ball out from the back. 8

Robbie Williams: was beaten for pace a few times in the first half but coped well in second half. booked 6

Chris Shuker: caused so many problems gave a performance that mirrored the one in the 4-0 crushing of Peterborough. 9

Jacob Burns: again got through tons of work. Tired towards the end though. 8

Nicky Wroe: gives 100% but often looked uncomfortable. 5

Stephen McPhail: given the captains armband failed to stir him from his slumber though. Trying to be clever made him miss an absolute gift of a chance. His corners the only plus point. Is waiting for the summer hols. 4

Daniel Nardiello: looks like a new signing since the departure of Hart scored one had two wrongly ruled out and was a constant menace. subbed 8

Simon Johnson: was quiet for first 20mins but then sprang to life and the Dons couldn’t handle him as he created chance after chance. Saw a superb header somehow tipped over in first half. 8

Subs. Michael Boulding ( for Nardiello 75) worked hard as usual but couldn’t really muster a chance. 6