It wasn't easy, it wasn't pretty but they did it, for the first time in 6 years Barnsley's season will continue past 46 games after an extremely hard fought victory against bottom club Walsall.
Our strikers scoring goals are like buses, you wait 9 games for one to put the ball in the net and then another does it!
Not since Tommy Wright nodded in at Brentford on the 11th March had a striker scored for The Reds, but just like in the game before Brentford, Marc Richards and Daniel Nardiello scored to give Barnsley the win that sets up a mouth-watering double header with Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield in the Play-Off Semis on Thursday and next Monday.
Huddersfield draw with Swindon ensured that Barnsley must play their home leg first and sorry to bring in the negatives but they MUST improve if the season is to finish at the Millennium Stadium.
Maybe nerves and the pressure of having just 1 win in 11 games had got to the players but it wasn't vintage and in my opinion if Barnsley hadn't got that penalty they probably wouldn't have won the game.
First half the Reds looked up for it and could have gone ahead early on.
A snapshot from Nardiello was parried by Saddlers keeper Andy Oakes, straight to the feet of Brian Howard. It looked a simple finish but somehow Oakes flung himself across to palm Howard's effort away. It seemed like it was going to be one of those days.
That was until Richards headed Barnsley in front just after the half hour.
Richards must have read my match report from last weekend because he actually looked something like a striker today, although was still harshly penalised by the referee nearly every time he challenged for the ball.
Howard swung over a great right wing free-kick and Richards met it perfectly to head low past Oakes.
Cue pandemonium from the 2,500 Red Army at the opposite end of the ground.
This was distinctly similar to the reverse fixture at Oakwell as Barnsley seemingly cruised the first half and the relegated Walsall barely even breathed around Nick Colgan's area, never mind created a chance.
Like at Oakwell though the second half was a different story.
Nardiello squandered two half chances early on but The Reds seemed to retreat into their shell and after Paul Heckingbottom was lucky not to concede a penalty, he did so minutes after.
On 59mins Kris Taylor sailed into the area before being wrestled to the floor by Heckingbottom and the referee pointed to the spot. Correct decision.
Dean Keates promptly stepped up and fired past Colgan.
1-1 and The Reds looked like ruing missed chances once again.
Scuffles broke out on the pitch. Rick Holden and Walsall caretaker manager Mark Kinsella fought on the touchline whilst Saddlers skipper Ian Roper was shown a second yellow after a tussle with substitute Tommy Wright
A draw would in the end have still sealed a play-off place albeit in 6th place but with 7 minutes to go Nardiello ( who had been really poor up to this point) earned himself the hero tag and cemented 5th place.
He collected the ball on the right hand side of the area and twisted and turned but failed to go anyway until he burst forward and was brought down by Craig Pead right in the view of the referee. As soon as the finger pointed to the penalty spot the away end erupted! A chance to grab the win.
Nardiello immediately picked up the ball and stated he would take it.
Oakes was booked as he tried to delay the penalty and to me Nardiello didn't look confident.
He strode up though and planted the ball past Oakes to start celebrations that haven't been seen by people in a Barnsley shirt for a very long time. I went tumbling over seats as unbridled joy cursed through the stand.
Martin Devaney strode through minutes later and saw his shot touched on to the post by Oakes and he showed his full array of fancy tricks in the corner that brought along the famous chant of “It's Just Like Watching Brazil”
Walsall were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the area in the 4th and final minute of injury time. The moment it flew over the bar the celebrations began. Seconds later the referee blew the full time whistle and fans of both side poured onto the pitch.
Unlike last weekend however this was a very respectful occasion as Walsall fans came up to Barnsley fans shaking hands and wishing good luck in the play-offs. A touching and excellent show from fans who must have gone through a wretched season.
The team and Andy Ritchie came back out to applaud and celebrate with the fans.
Today was the start of the job, it wasn't pretty it wasn't easy but as we all know the play-offs aren't pretty or easy either!
Player Ratings:
Nick Colgan: Virtual spectator first half, but pulled off a great save at 1-1 that probably kept the Reds in the game. 7
Dale Tonge: Much improved from last weekend, his tackling was strong and he drove forward whenever possible. 7
Antony Kay: Struggled a little second half and his clearances were a bit hasty and nervous. 6
Bobby Hassell: Pulled his defence through that second half, was magnificent. 8
Paul Heckingbottom: Was taken apart down the left side, conceded one penalty and was lucky not to give away another. Booked. 5
Chris Shuker: Out of sorts. His crossing, corners and runs failed to beat the first man. Subbed. 5
Brian Howard: Gave his all again his face after the 2nd goal was a picture. He was utterly delighted!. Booked. Subbed. 7
Stephen McPhail: Not as great as in previous games but he still had an air of authority about him. 7
Martin Devaney: Came more to life in the second half and showcased his box of tricks in the closing stages to the away followings delight, was unlucky not to score at the death when his strike was turned onto a post. 7
Marc Richards: A big improvement and did get a good goal. I wont forgive him completely yet though!. Subbed. 7
Daniel Nardiello: Utterly lazy and anonymous. But due to his cult hero status it was inevitable he would end up the hero. Booked. 6
Substitutes:
Tommy Wright (for Richards 73) His tussle with Roper saw the Saddlers man dismissed but he did a good job when he came on. Booked. 7
Antony McParland (for Shuker 81) Again didn't have much time to make his mark although impressed more than Shuker… 6
Robbie Williams (for Howard 87) Replaced the tiring Howard and helped calm the game down. 6
Unused Substitutes:
Scott Flinders, Barry Conlon (Good to see Big Baz back, unlucky not to get on)
Barnsley Boy's Man of the Match: Nobody stood out significantly but for his calming authority Ill give it to Bobby Hassell.
Coca Cola League One Results Saturday 6th May 2006
Blackpool 3-3 Gillingham
Bournemouth 2-2 Brentford
Bradford 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Chesterfield 0-4 Swansea
Hartlepool 1-1 Port Vale
Oldham 1-1 Scunthorpe
Rotherham 0-0 Milton Keynes Dons
Southend 1-0 Bristol City
Swindon 0-0 Huddersfield
Tranmere 0-2 Doncaster
Walsall 1-2 Barnsley
Final Ups and Downs from Coca Cola League One:
Champions: Southend
Promoted: Colchester
Play-Offs: Brentford, Huddersfield, Barnsley, Swansea
Relegated: Hartlepool, Milton Keynes Dons, Swindon, Walsall
Barnsley finish in 5th place in League One with 72 points from 46 games. We are in the Play-Offs by 3 point , 7 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 10 points off First Place and 22 points clear of the Relegation Zone.
Next Up:
At Oakwell:
Coca Cola League Play-Off Semi Final First Leg Barnsley v Huddersfield Town Thursday 11th May 2006 Kick-Off 7:45pm
Tickets: TBC
On The Road:
Coca Cola League One Play-Off Semi Final Second Leg Huddersfield Town v Barnsley Monday 15th May 2006 Kick-Off 7:45pm
Tickets: TBC
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