Another fantastic game at Oakwell between two sides desperately fighting for promotion saw the spoils shared with all 4 goals coming in a crazy 15 minute spell just after half-time.
Swansea took the lead but Barnsley who have never won after falling behind stormed back to go 2-1 up before a piece of magic from Lee Trundle saw the men from Wales grab a point.
In truth though The Reds and Martin Devaney in particular could have had this game sewn up by half-time as Swansea without a win in 3 before this game looked extremely toothless in an attack that included former Red Rory Fallon.
Devaney missed two absolute sitters as he struggled to get going all game.
Daniel Nardiello was a surprise starter in place of Paul Hayes but he was outstanding and he raced clear after 9 minutes. Unselfishly he squared the ball to the rampaging Devaney and with Swans keeper Willy Gueret out of his goal, Devaney amazingly rushed his effort and the ball flew over the bar. A type of chance you cant afford to miss if you want automatic promotion.
Swansea had their best chance of the half after 14 minutes when Fallon’s header was superbly parried by Colgan and Fallon fired the rebound into the side netting.
This though was Barnsley’s half.
On 17 minutes a great cross from Paul Heckingbottom was chested down and volleyed by Nardiello but Gueret made a fantastic stop, tipping the ball over for a corner.
7minutes later ex red flop Tom Williams almost volleyed a back-pass at Gueret, his attempted clearance from the edge of his own area flew into the air and came down to Devaney. He lobbed Gueret but the ball dropped agonizingly wide of the post. Another great chance but maybe he was a bit unlucky this time.
Gueret was again at his best on 34 minutes when Nardiello curled in a fabulous free-kick and the French stopper made a fine one handed tip over the bar.
After all those missed chances in the first half it was inevitable that The Reds could be made to pay, and they were just 3 minutes into the second half.
Alan Tate swung over a right wing cross and The Reds defence surprisingly fell to sleep allowing Andy Robinson a free header six yards out and his effort somehow squeezed under Colgan. The power of the header just seeming too much for Colgan to fully stop.
This though kicked Barnsley and the game into life and within 7 minutes Barnsley were level.
Antony Kay's attempt to thread the ball through to Nardiello was blocked but at the second attempt Kay released Nardiello and he galloped clear before slotting past Gueret. ( That goal for me proved that one-on-one there’s no better finisher in this league)
5 minutes later the game had swung full circle as Barnsley went 2-1 up.
Marc Richards raced clear before being shoved down in the area by Kristian O’Leary for a clear penalty. O’Leary was shown red. Another ex red Garry Monk received a yellow for dissent and Richards sent Gueret the wrong way to send the Oakwell faithful into a massive rendition of EIEIEIO.
2-1 up, man advantage, was this Barnsley’s game?
You can never be sure when facing Lee Trundle and he amazingly dragged Swansea level within 4 minutes.
Chris Shuker backed off Trundle allowing him to cut inside and he unleashed an effort that Colgan could only help into the far corner.
That goal finally settled the game down but Barnsley could have won it 4 minutes from time.
Nardiello managed to get in a lob from just inside the area but it agonisingly went just wide of the far post.
Overall a draw was probably a fair result although both Swansea goals could have been avoided.
With Huddersfield only drawing with Doncaster the gap between 3rd place Barnsley and 2nd spot still stands at just a point but a tough away trip to sixth place Brentford awaits Barnsley next weekend, yet another six pointer.
With 10 games left to go and The Reds in a great position, one more big push could see The Reds go up automatic, at least the play-offs should be attained.
COME ON YOU REDS !!!
Player Ratings:
Nick Colgan: Made an excellent stop from Fallon first half, maybe could have done more with Swansea’s goals. 7
Neil Austin: Excellent once again. Marshalled the right wing superbly. 8
Matt Carbon: Strong in the air and didn’t let Fallon have much time on the ball. We need him to stay fit for the run-in. 7
Paul Reid: Combines with Carbon seamlessly and even needed a bandage on his head for the second half. 7
Paul Heckingbottom: Another solid performance. Goes about his job quietly. 7
Chris Shuker: Was a bit off it first half but did improve second half. His decision to back off Trundle though proved costly. 7
Antony Kay: Big groans when it became apparent that he would be in midfield but he was much better than at Belle Vue. Seemed to carry an injury but was strong and even managed a Ronaldinho style pirouette! 8
Stephen McPhail. Was excellent first half and his decisions and range of passing was spot-on. A bit quieter in the second period but his reading of the game is crucial. 8
Martin Devaney: Missed two real sitters and failed to get going. He is a player that is either sublime or woeful. This wasn’t one of his sublime days. 5
Daniel Nardiello: Was a surprise inclusion in place of Hayes but it meant all 4 strikers had a start in the past week. Today he was fantastic. He looked sharp hungry and took his goal magnificently. 9
Marc Richards: Mr Cool for the penalty and was a threat in the air. Amazing how the ref missed some of the pulls and pushes on him! 7
Substitutes:
Paul Hayes (for Devaney 73) Slotted into the right midfield berth and as always gave his best. 6
Antony McParland (for Shuker 85) Last week I said it was hard to judge him on 4 minutes, wasn’t much easier with 5. Volleyed one effort over at the end but needs more time for a fair judgement. 6
Sponsors Man of the Match: Antony Kay
Barnsley Boy’s Man of the Match: Kay played well as did most of the team but for the way he fitted into the team, the way he, for a change, grafted, scored and generally unsettled the Swansea back line the Man of the Match for me was Daniel Nardiello.
Coca Cola League One Results Saturday 4th March 2006
Barnsley 2-2 Swansea City
Bristol City 1 - 1 Nottingham Forest
Chesterfield 0 - 3 Yeovil
Colchester 0 - 3 Southend
Huddersfield 2 - 2 Doncaster
Barnsley lie in 3rd place in League One with 60 points from 36 games. We are in the Play-Offs by 7 points, 1 point off the Automatic Promotion Places and 22 points clear of the Relegation Zone.
Next Up:
On The Road: Brentford v Barnsley Saturday 11th March 2006 Kick-Off 3pm
Tickets:
Seating:
Adults: £17
OAP/Students: £12 (Over 65/Valid NUS card required)
Juveniles: £3 (Under 16)
Standing:
Adults: £12
OAP/Student £6 (Over 65/Valid NUS card required)
Juveniles: £3 (Under 16)
Please Note: This is Pay On The Turnstiles ONLY. No tickets will be on sale at Oak well (only coach tickets)
Official Reds On The Road Coaches will be making the trip to Griffin Park
Tickets: £15. The coach leaves Oakwell at 9:45am on the day of the game.
Hartlepool United v Barnsley Saturday 18th March 2006 Kick-Off 3pm
Tickets:
Adults: £18
Concessions: £9 ( Over 65’s and Under 16’s)
Students: £9 (Valid NUS card required)
Official Reds On The Road Coaches will be making the trip to Victoria Park.
Tickets: £11. The coach leaves Oakwell at 11:30am on the day of the game
At Oakwell: Barnsley v AFC Bournemouth Saturday 25th March 2006 Kick-Off 3pm
This match is a Category B match.
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