So-called Premiership referee Mike Dean cost Barnsley a priceless victory over promotion chasing Southampton.
Barnsley were leading 2-1 when he awarded a penalty for an extremely dubious handball from Paul Reid. Coupled with a series of awful decisions, Dean was arguably the worst referee I've seen at Oakwell for some years, and believe me I've seen a few.
In yet another rip-roaring Championship match both teams started strongly and brightly with Southampton boasting a tasty strike force of £2m Grzegorz Rasiak and £750,000 Bradley Wright-Phillips. Two players who cost more than the entire Barnsley side put together.
Andy Ritchie was forced into an enforced change before the match as left-back Paul Heckingbottom injured his ribs in the pre-match warm-up and was replaced by Robbie Williams.
Barnsley were straight out of the blocks buoyed by their two victories on the road and Southampton goal-keeper Kelvin Davis had to tip a Marc Richards effort around the post after just four minutes.
Wright-Phillips and Rasiak were proving a handful for Paul Reid and Antony Kay however with 6”3 Rasiak winning virtually everything in the air although The Reds were manfully dealing with the second ball.
Southampton nearly went in front on 30minutes when, from an Andrew Surman corner (Barnsley were troubled by corners all afternoon) Southampton's new recruit Pele headed towards goal and Brian Howard was forced to kick off the line.
The ball flew forward and Devaney curled a lovely ball into the area which Hayes nodded down perfectly for Michael McIndoe but from 6yards out Davis made a superb block to concede a corner.
An entertaining and end-end first half looked liked ending goal-less until deep in stoppage time when again Barnsley caught the three man Southampton defence flat-footed.
Hayes delivered a low cross behind the defence and an unmarked Richards gleefully slammed home.
For the first time this season Barnsley were 1-0 up and it was hoped that such a late goal would give The Reds fresh impetus for the second half.
Unfortunately they were pegged back within 2 minutes of the restart.
Jermaine Wright's leftwing corner was again poorly dealt with by The Reds and the ball eventually fell to Rasiak who lashed home.
This swung the game in Southampton's favour and they went looking for a winner with Colgan having to react fast to deny Wright-Phillips.
Barnsley though regained the lead after 71minutes.
McIndoe's corner was headed out where Devaney smashed it back in and Alexander Ostlund stuck out his hand to stop it and Dean pointed to the spot.
Hayes did his now famous run-up before hitting it low and true past Davis.
But within 4 minutes came probably the most controversial point of the match.
Substitute Rudi Skacel hit a volley that seem to strike Reid on the arm but with no intent whatsoever, to even things up however Dean once again pointed to the penalty spot.
Colgan, unfortunately, couldn't be the hero again as Rasiak coolly sent him the wrong way.
It then became Southampton's game and The Reds were lucky to earn a point.
They did briefly threaten when sub Tommy Wright had his legs nipped by Davis but the fact the striker tried to sportingly stay on his feet saw ref Dean give nothing when Wright finally fell.
All in all a draw was what I had hoped for before kick-off and I am delighted with 7points from 12.
A better referee might have seen Barnsley claim 3 wins in a row but everybody on the playing and management staff and in the 11,306 crowd can be justifiably proud!
Player Ratings:
Player Ratings:
Nick Colgan: Again kept the team in it with some vital stops. No chance with the penalty this time though. 7
Bobby Hassell: Again shone and was excellent in the tackle. Early contender for Player of the Year. 8
Paul Reid: Struggled a little in the air with Rasiak but couldn't be faulted on the floor although harshly adjudged to have handballed for the penalty. 7
Antony Kay: Probably outshone Reid today as nothing seemed to beat him. . 8
Robbie Williams: Called in at short notice and yet again didn't let the team down, got forward whenever possible. 7
Martin Devaney: Much better than his last home showing, was prepared to run at players and show his dribbling skills. Tired a little second half. Booked. 7
Sam Togwell: Another cracking game. Just doesn't seem to have a bad minute. He bossed the midfield. Subbed. 8
Brian Howard: Playing against the club he started his career with saw yet even more be pushed out of Howard. Got forward and was unlucky with a couple of long-rangers. Subbed. 8
Michael McIndoe: Missed a glorious chance first half but his use of the ball is excellent. He also did his share of defending. 7
Paul Hayes: A little off the pace today except for his cool penalty. Chased without purpose. 6
Marc Richards: Again got a goal but his and Hayes partnership failed to click today. Subbed. 6
Substitutes:
Tommy Wright (for Richards 69) Didn't make much of an impression although he could have won Barnsley a free-kick yet stayed on his feet. Cant blame him for that. 7
Colin Healy (for Howard 71) Could see his lack of match practice but once he's fully fit he could be a decent signing. 6
Dale Tonge (for Togwell 81) Helped tidy up in front of the back four. 6
Unused Substitutes:
Vito Mannone, Rob Atkinson
Sponsors Man of the Match: Sam Togwell
BarnsleyBoy's Man of the Match: Togwell is an extremely worthy winner but Bobby Hassell just edged it for me.
Most Impressed By Southampton‘s: Grzegorz Rasiak. Two good goals and his aerial ability troubled The Reds at times.
Ref Watch: Mike Dean: We have had some bad referees at Oakwell down the years but, apart from Gary Willard, Dean will take some beating. Barnsley only had to breathe on Southampton players and he blew for free-kicks, even when nobody went down or looked fouled, whereas he denied The Reds blatant free kicks. A Premiership referee and for me he can go back there! 1
Coca Cola Championship Results: Saturday 19th August 2006:
Barnsley 2-2 Southampton
Birmingham 2-1 Crystal Palace
Burnley 0-1 Wolves
Derby 0-0 Norwich
Ipswich 0-0 Hull
Leeds 0-1 Cardiff
Luton 2-2 Stoke
Plymouth 1-2 Sheffield Wednesday
Preston 1-1 QPR
Southend 3-1 Sunderland
West Brom 2-1 Colchester
Friday 18th August 2006
Coventry 0-0 Leicester
Barnsley lie in 8th place in the Championship with 7 points from 4 games. We are out of the Play-Offs on Goal Difference , 3 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 3 points off First Place and 6 Points clear of the Relegation Zone.
Next Up:
On The Road:
Carling Cup First Round: Blackpool v Barnsley Tuesday 22nd August 2006 7:45pm.
Tickets:
Adults: £10
OAPs (Over 60s) £5
Juveniles (U18) £5
Seating at Bloomfield Road is uncovered.
Official Reds on the Road coaches will be making the trip to Bloomfield Road.
Tickets: £11. The coach leaves Oakwell at 4:30pm on the day of the game.
Coca Cola Championship: Norwich City v Barnsley Saturday 26th August 2006
Tickets:
Adults: £19
OAPs (Over 60): £13
Students (NUS only): £13
Juveniles (Under 16): £13
Juveniles (Under 12): £7
Official Reds on the Road coaches will be making the trip to Carrow Road
Tickets: £16. The coach leaves Oakwell at 9:30am on the day of the game.
At Oakwell:
Coca Cola Championship: Barnsley v Stoke City Saturday 9th September 2006
Tickets:
Tickets for the big game are priced at:
East Stand and West Stand Upper Tiers
Adults £22.00
OAP/Juvenile £13.00
Barnsley Chronicle Family Area
Adults £22.00
OAP £13.00
Juvenile £9.00
East Stand Lower and West Stand Lower
Adults £21.00
OAP/Juveniles £12.00
Enterprise PLC Stand (Pontefract Road End)
Adults £20.00
OAP/Juveniles £12.00
All Disabled Areas £20.00
Helpers FREE OF CHARGE
To book tickets for forthcoming matches simply phone the Oakwell Box Office on 01226 211200. Alternatively call at the Box Office in person; contact the Box Office by fax on 01226 211444 or e-mail boxoffice@barnsleyfc.co.uk.
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