Is this really going to be our year?
Play like that for the remaining 12 games and it’s a resounding yes.
Barnsley put in undoubtedly their best performance of the season today even eclipsing the 5-2 hammering of Scunthorpe as the best overall team display against a very impressive Colchester United.
Colchester could easily have been 2 or 3 up as unlike most teams that have come to Oakwell this season, they played attractive football and went looking for the win that would move them into 2nd place in the table.
Confidence obviously boosted by the excellent display they put on at Chelsea saw them charge forward and very nearly take the lead on 14 minutes.
One time Red target Chris Iwelumo out muscled Bobby Hassell and skipped round Colgan. Luckily though the angle was too tight and his effort flashed across goal.
Exciting prospect Greg Halford then launched a throw into the area which Garcia toe poked towards goal and Colgan managed to just keep it out.
The Reds did settle down though and could easily have sneaked a couple of their own in what was a real end to end game and a great advert for League One.
Shuker fired just wide and Martin Devaney was presented with a great chance 6 yards out but horribly scuffed it wide.
If the first half just belonged to Colchester then the second half was definitely Barnsley’s as some inspiring words from Rick Holden (in for the ill Andy Ritchie) spurred the Reds on in front of the Ponty End.
Devaney was Ronaldo-esque on the left, Shuker much improved on the right and McPhail absolutely outstanding in the middle (You may find this hard to believe but he actually put in a few excellent tackles).
Colchester did look lively on the break though. A Kevin Watson corner being hacked off the line by Hassell.
Devaney sent a free header over and then referee Brian Curson amazingly missed a blatant handball by Karl Duguid in the area.
Barnsley’s efforts to score did look like being fruitless though until 18 minutes from time when Brian Howard sent the 9,000 plus crowd into absolute delirium.
Devaney did his tricks before floating a beauty of a cross into the area, which was majestically met by Howard. His header was pushed out by U’s keeper Aidan Davison but Howard was quickest to react and stabbed the ball home.
Oakwell literally erupted as fans ran on the pitch with Howard and his team-mates buried between them. Curson duly showed a Howard a yellow card (a rule which is just as stupid as the one for removing your shirt)
Barnsley fans knew though that they would be forced to watch a nail-biting end and Colchester duly pushed forward with keeper Davison coming up for free kicks, corners and throw-ins.
One such event saw debutant sub Antony McParland receive the ball on the half-way line with an open ball but instead of attempting an Alonso-eque goal he tried to square the ball to Devaney and the chance was gone.
Cue Nick Colgan. With 2 minutes left he superbly tipped an Iwelumo header onto the post
Heads then sank as the Fourth Official indicated an extra 4 minutes injury time and in the final minute Colchester looked to have snatched a cruel equaliser.
Richard Garcia found himself 6 yards out and powered a shot towards the bottom corner but an absolute stunning, stunning save from Colgan kept it out and he then blocked Greg Halford’s rebound with his legs as somehow Barnsley held on for 3 very very crucial three points.
After looking over our shoulders 2 weeks ago after a poor defeat at Doncaster, a win on Tuesday at tough opponents Bournemouth will see the Reds move into 2nd (albeit with Colchester still having games in hand) Todays result has proved that the top 2 isn’t out of reach. There are 12 cup finals left to go. Let’s go and do it!
COME ON YOU REDS!
Player Ratings:
Nick Colgan: Was excellent between the posts. Never more so than in the dying seconds when Colchester threw everything forward. His double save at the end is still something I’m coming to terms with! 8
Neil Austin: Excellent once again. Never ducked a tackle and even hurt himself to help the cause. 8
Bobby Hassell: Have to use the word excellent again. Iwelumo only got the better of him once and for his lack of height he is a top defender! 8
Antony Kay: Can’t fault him today. Defence is certainly his best position and he was another one willing to put his body on the line. 8
Paul Heckingbottom: Began to warm to him after his winner at Tranmere and he again impressed me. Stayed strong and got forward whenever possible. 7
Chris Shuker: Improvement on recent games but still looks a little low on confidence. Never stopped running though. Subbed. 7
Brian Howard: Match winner and linked up play great today. Booked. Subbed. 8
Stephen McPhail. Genius today. His passing was immaculate he made some excellent tackles and went extremely close with 2 freekicks. Subbed. 9
Martin Devaney: Resembled something of his elusive best. Showcased his array of tricks but should have scored in the first half. A delight to watch. 8
Paul Hayes: Held up the ball superbly and created chances for his team-mates as usual. 8
Tommy Wright: Still not worth a start when Richards and Nardiello are available. He still put his head in where it hurt though and bled for the cause. Booked. 7
Substitutes:
Jacob Burns (for Howard 80) Mixed reception after his trial in Poland but didn’t do anything wrong. 6
Antony McParland (for Shuker 86) Made his debut for the tiring Shuker. Extremely hard to judge him on 4 minutes. 6
Paul Reid (for McPhail 88) Came into midfield to see the final few minutes out. 6
Sponsors Man of the Match: Martin Devaney
Barnsley Boy’s Man of the Match: Could have been a host of players but for his sheer excellent all-round display I’m going to give it to Stephen McPhail.
Coca Cola League One Results Saturday 25th February 2006
Barnsley 1-0 Colchester United
Blackpool 2-0 Yeovil
Brentford 0-1 Port Vale
Bristol City 3-1 Bournemouth
Gillingham 1-3 Scunthorpe
Hartlepool 1-1 Doncaster
Milton Keynes Dons 2-1 Bradford
Nottingham Forest 7-1 Swindon
Oldham 1-0 Tranmere
Rotherham 0-4 Chesterfield
Southend 0-0 Walsall
Friday 24th February 2006
Swansea 2-2 Huddersfield
Barnsley lie in 5th place in League One with 58 points from 34 games. We are in the Play-Offs by 5 points, 2 points off the Automatic Promotion Places and 20 points clear of the Relegation Zone.
Next Up:
On The Road: AFC Bournemouth v Barnsley Tuesday 28th February 2006 Kick-Off 7:45pm
Tickets:
Adults: £17
Over 65’s: £9
Students: £9
Under 16’s: £7
Official Red On The Road Coaches will be making the trip to Dean Court. Tickets: £19. The coach leaves Oakwell at 12:15pm on the day of the game.
At Oakwell: Barnsley v Swansea City Saturday 4th March 2006 Kick Off 3pm.
This match is a Category A match.
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