October 2006
After finishing September with 3 straight defeats, October was not to get much better as Barnsley endured a winless month for the first time since March.
And it started in heart-breaking fashion with a last gasp defeat at hated rivals Sheffield Wednesday.
Barnsley were by far the better side at Hillsborough after falling behind to an early Glenn Whelan goal (4) and the sending off of ex Owl, Paul Heckingbottom (24).
Brian Howard dragged the Reds level on 56 minutes and dominated the game before falling to a last gasp thunderbolt from Chris Brunt. Six thousand red hearts were crushed in an instant!
Things didn't improve despite an entertaining home draw with Plymouth.
Antony Kay scored a stunning 40yard stunner within 2 minutes to set the tone for the match but Barnsley in at half time 2-1 down after fine strikes from Sylvan Ebanks-Blake (29) and Barry Hayles (34). A tap-in from Marc Richards within 5 minutes of the restart earned Barnsley a point…. The only one we would get that month.
Barnsley travelled to the Stadium of Light next with Roy Keane just settling into the job and showing early of signs on how he would eventually lead the Black Cats to the Championship title.
Sunderland ran out comfortable 2-0 winners with goals from Dean Whitehead and Chris Brown in the final 8 minutes. Only the heroics of Nick Colgan prevented Sunderland scoring earlier.
A disappointing home defeat to Coventry finished off the month as Wayne Andrews struck with 6 minutes remaining just 10 seconds after coming on to the pitch.
The signs that Barnsley might not be Championship class were starting to show.
October Record: W:0 D:1 L: 3
Record 28/10/06
W:3 D:3 L:8 F:18 A:28 GD: -10 Points: 12 Pos: 21st