Moore Finally Makes an "Impact" As Reds Crush Rovers

Darren Moore has often been ridiculed by Barnsley fans this season but he may just have saved boss Simon Davey's job no matter how unintentional it was.

After another atrocious first half performance, bungling centre-half Moore hauled Lewis Guy to the floor in the 47^th minute as he attempted to race clear on goal. Moore was promptly shown a red card by referee Steve Tanner (the fifth red card in the last six meetings between the two sides) and Barnsley changed from relegation certainties into a confident passing side that romped to their first win over Rovers since 1979, ending a run of five straight defeats against their neighbours, and after scoring their first goal in six games they went on to double the amount they had scored this season in one game!

You could not really make it up. Buoyed by recent meetings between the two sides Doncaster brought over 3,000 supporters with them to make it the biggest attendance at Oakwell this season. And Sean O'Driscoll's side- on a run of five straight defeats- started the brighter.

On eight minutes their travelling support thought they had opened the scoring when Lewis Guy headed home from James Coppinger's cross but their celebrations were cut short by the linesman's flag. There was no such luck for The Reds three minutes later as they fell behind in very controversial circumstances.

Martin Woods swung over a cross from the left, Guy dived towards it but only ended up in the back of the net himself and as everybody prepared for a goal kick, Tanner on advice from his linesman astonishingly pointed to the spot. Despite massive whistles from the Ponty End, Brian Stock kept his cool by firing into Heinz Muller's right hand corner although the giant German was not very far away from getting there.

It was becoming increasingly obvious why Barnsley had gone over 450 minutes without a goal as small strikers Iain Hume and Maceo Rigters (making his first league start) struggled to get anywhere near the long balls being pumped forward by captain Stephen Foster. Anderson De Silva was also subdued without injured Hugo Colace alongside him. Whilst Diego Leon looked comfortable on the ball he was beaten in every challenge and too easily knocked off the ball.

The veteran Neil Sullivan had to be at his best though on 38 minutes. Dennis Souza sent a beautiful header towards the top corner but the 38 year old Sullivan somehow managed to claw the ball away.

Not for the first time Barnsley's players trudged off at half-time to the sound of boos.

And it looked like Barnsley's afternoon and Davey's reign as manager was over three minutes after the break as Moore saw red and Barnsley were a man down. Chants of "We want Davey out!" reverberated around the ground as the beleaguered manager stood arms folded in the dugout.

The sending off though may just prove to be the turning point of Barnsley's season. After looking frightened to pay and bereft of ideas it was almost as if the players realised there was now nothing to lose and they began to press. The reward came after 54 minutes when captain Foster ended 504 minutes of drought.

Rob Kozluk whipped in a free kick from the left, Hume flicked the ball on, Souza nodded the ball back into the mixer and Foster just flicked his head at the ball. Sullivan stood stranded and it seemed to take an age before the ball finally sneaked inside the far corner.

The goal lifted the crowd and the players and on 61 minutes Barnsley led a league game against Doncaster for the first time since April 1979 with a goal that will take some beating by anybody this season.

Muller's quick throw released Jamal Campbell-Ryce deep inside his own half but the dimutive winger raced into the Rovers half, skipped past three challenges before cutting inside and curling the ball past Sullivan. Oakwell simply erupted!

After this Doncaster heads dropped and even a striker without a goal in 10 games managed to get in on the act. Jon Macken was dropped to the bench after his barren run but within seconds of being introduced for Rigters he made it 3-1.

Campbell-Ryce was again the instigator with a bamboozling run down the left wing. He drove the ball across the area perfectly for Martin Devaney who came steaming in with a great shot that Sullivan could only push away into the path of Macken. And a man who had missed a free shot from 12 yards last weekend managed to fire the ball home from an acute angle.

Coppinger had a rare chance for Rovers on 80 minutes but his effort was repelled by Muller and three minutes later Kozluk nearly got in on the act when Hume played him in but he showed a defender's touch by blazing over.

Hume got the goal his fabulous work-rate deserved after 86 minutes. And once again it was a beauty from the £1.2m man.

Anderson fed the Canadian International on the edge of the area and he looked up before curling a beauty past Sullivan for his third goal of the season.

This was Hume's last act as he was instantly replaced by record-breaker Reuben Noble-Lazarus who got a great reception by the overjoyed crowd.

Revenge certainly tastes sweet tonight and I imagine Davey can manage his food and sleep a little better too!

Tickets:

Adults - £25.00

Senior Citizens (60 and Over) - £15.00

Juvenile (16 and Under) - £15.00

Accompanied Juvenile (Under 16 with an Adult or OAP) - £1.00

Official Reds on the Road coaches will be making the trip to Selhurst Park. Price: £23. The coaches leave Oakwell at 11:30am on the day of the game.

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.

Man of the Match: Jamal Campbell-Ryce