Despite the morale sapping defeat suffered by the Reds on Wednesday, against a team that looked to have taken a leaf out of dirty L****'s book by kicking everything in sight as hard as possible, Barnsley still had 11 fit players to face Swindon.
Barnsley lined up 4-4-2 with Robbie Williams and Neil Austin full backs and Skipper Reid and Bobby Hassell Centre Backs - thats right, Hassell at centre back. Hassell may soon develop Anthony Kay syndrome ("if he is not performing in one position then lets play him in another"). The midfield consisted of Tom Williams and Chris Shuker out on the wings with Dale Tonge and Nicky Wroe in centre midfield. Chopra carried on up front despite missing several gilt edged chances on Wednesday, alongside the ever hardworking Barry Conlon.
The main concern as the teams lined up was the difference in sizes between Swindon and Barnsley. Swindon looked the taller, more physical side, led by the returning Bambi Fallon, Sam Parkin and new recruit from Bristol City(and always scores at Oakwell) Christian Roberts.
Despite the result on Wednesday the Reds seemed to get a good reception from the die hard fans, obviously heeding Mr Ridsdale’s request to get behind the manager/team.
Barnsley started brightly with Shuker going close with a drive which seemed to be tipped over the bar by opposition keeper Evans, although referee Hall pointed for a goal kick. Barnsley were playing nice and tidy football and created another chance on 15 minutes when Robbie Williams’ shot went just wide.
It was then Swindon’s time to attack, Fallon going close with a header going over the bar.
Michael Chopra was looking very sharp and on 18 minutes was denied a 50/50 penalty when defender Ifill barged him off the ball when chasing towards goal. It was one of those that you sometimes see given but with our run of luck at moment we didn’t stand a chance.
One of most positive aspects of the first half was that the Reds were creating chances all over the park: Conlon, both Williams’ and even Neil Austin came close in a ten minute spell in the first half.
Then on 35 minutes came the most controversial moment of the game, Williams crossed a hopeful ball which Conlon and Swindon centre back Nicholas challenged for but keeper Evans came way out of his goal and caught the ball at least two yards outside his area. Somehow the partially sighted linesman failed to notice this but referee Hall had a better view 10 yards away from the action. The Reds fans expected a sending off for a deliberate handball outside the area but referee Evans, seemingly doing his best to be demoted to a conference game next week, waved only a yellow card to the derision of the suffering Barnsley fans. The free kick was a farce and came to nothing.
Just when things couldn’t get worse, the Reds fell one behind. Ross Turnbull has so far done well since coming in to the side but when Igoe attempted a speculative shot from 30 yards Turnbull, with a touch of the "David James’", managed to spill the ball and it rolled behind him for Swindon to take an undeserved lead.
It was a case of here we go again: despite dominating the game and possession we were behind once again down to a stroke of bad luck.
Five minutes later we were on level terms. Bobby Hassell, seemingly excelling in his role at Centre Back, won the ball and carried it out of defence and was allowed to run 30 yards without being challenged. Hassell threaded a pinpoint ball through to Chopra who unlike Wednesday took his chance well, slotting it in to the corner of the net.
Going in at half time we should have really been two or three in front.
The second half started the same way as the first, with shots from Williams, Austin and Chopra nearly giving the Reds a lead. On 66 minutes neat work on the left by Tom Williams resulted in a cross which was met by Paul Reid stooping low to head in the opposite corner, 2-1 to The Reds and fully deserved.
Based on past performances, howeverm it was clear that a third would be needed. Austin limped out of the action after a clash in the box with sub Mcmaster who most have only been on the pitch a matter of seconds. Michael Boulding came on and Tom Williams reverted to full back. After this change we looked less like an attacking force, although whether this was down to Paul Hart’s instruction is open to debate.
Comedy moment of the match happened when Fallon, who won everything in the air but that was about it, was substituted and made his way to sit on the Barnsley bench much to the amusement of all concerned.
On 82 minutes a hopeful down the left was chased down by Howard when it looked like it was going out. Howard kept it in and crossed it in for Christian Roberts to slot home, Swindon scoring their second with their second shot on goal.
To make matters worse, Shuker received a second yellow card on 84 minutes for kicking the ball away a full 5 yards. He will be missed sorely for the upcoming games. The match finished 2-2, Barnsley once again feeling hard down by.
Summing up the first 70 minutes the Reds played really well, maybe the best this season alongside the first 45 minutes at Huddersfield, but the last 20 minutes we seemed to sit back and allow Swindon back in to the game. The referee did his utmost to spoil the game by making really poor decisions and not letting a good open game flow.
The sponsor’s man of the match went to Chopra; maybe a sweetener for him to stop another month. My award must go to Bobby Hassell who won everything at centre back against opponents that were bigger and more physical than him. Another pleasing aspect was the four young Barnsley born players in the side, Tonge and Wroe impressive in midfield and Austin and Williams at full backs. Overall there is no doubt that after recent performances the football seems to be getting better: all we need now is the run of the ball.