A terrific second half performance from The Reds in their first game back in the Championship was undermined by the lack of a player who can “stick it in”
After being slightly over-awed in the first period, Barnsley bounced back stunningly in the second 45 and created numerous chances that were just begging for a goal-scorer (Nardiello maybe) to put away.
With a player like that in the side The Reds would have probably snatched an incredible victory.
They looked in awe of Cardiff in the first 45 minutes and were crushed when the Bluebirds scored two goals in the space of 3 minutes halfway through the opening period.
Firstly the returning Michael Chopra, who had a very subdued game placed a pass across the six yard line for Joe Ledley to tap in on 19 and then on 22, Ledley turned provider, spraying a great cross that Steve Thompson took wonderfully before hammering a fine shot past Colgan.
It looked like a case of how many with another returning “friend” Stephen McPhail pulling the midfield strings.
That was until an utter bolt from the blue from the excellent Brian Howard on 31 minutes brought Barnsley back into the contest.
Sam Togwell did magnificently to wrestle back possession and feed Paul Heckingbottom and a great cross from Heckingbottom was flicked up on the edge of the area by Howard before he proceeded to hit an acrobatic kick past the stranded Neil Alexander.
The second half then belonged to The Reds as they hammered the Cardiff rearguard looking for the equaliser.
Hayes sent a free-kick just over on 47 minutes and 4 minutes later Howard released Hayes but he sent his shot into the side netting with just Alexander to beat.
The Reds could have fallen 2 goals behind though minutes later when Ledley rattled the post with a blockbuster and both Thompson and Chopra scuffed at the rebound.
Minutes later it looked like Cardiff would put the result beyond doubt when Bobby Hassell rather needlessly sent Ledley tumbling in the area to give Cardiff a penalty.
But there just seems to be something about Number 5's for Welsh teams taking penalties against Colgan.
In Cardiff, Swansea's No. 5 Alan Tate saw his penalty saved by Colgan which sent Barnsley into the Championship and Cardiff's No. 5 Darren Purse stepped up at Oakwell and even though he went to the opposite side to Tate, Colgan flung himself across to make a superb block!
That once again galvanised Barnsley and on 60 minutes the poor Martin Devaney wasted another glorious opportunity.
Hayes did well to rob Arsenal loanee Kerrea Gilbert on the left and played a great ball in which Devaney somehow headed across goal and wide!
Cardiff came back and Antony Kay was forced to clear off the line from Paul Parry before Barnsley missed THE chance of the match.
Sub, Tommy Wright played a great ball to release Hayes with Richards bursting into the area unmarked. Hayes duly slid the ball across the area and with Alexander stretching himself to make an expected block from Richards, the 21 lifted the ball over Alexander but agonisingly and unbelievably the ball bounced down on the goal-line and up onto the underside of the crossbar before bouncing out.
From that moment, just like you realised it wasn't to be Swansea's day when Tate and Trundle missed great chances in the Final, that miss from Richards signalled that it wasn't going to be Barnsley's today.
Colgan made an absolute world-class save from Ledley to still give Barnsley a chance but Brian Howard volleyed wide at the death and The Reds start life in the Championship with defeat.
If The Reds continue to play like they did in the second half for the rest of the season then survival should be attained quite comfortably but Ritchie MUST now urgently up his search for a striker. Cardiff were there for the taking today and other clubs wont be so forgiving…
Player Ratings:
Nick Colgan: No chance with the goals and made a fantastic penalty stop before producing two world class stops. 8
Bobby Hassell: His only mistake was conceding the penalty. Was excellent apart from that. 8
Paul Reid: Skipper shone again. Neither Chopra or Kevin Campbell got any change. 8
Antony Kay: Just like Reid, kept Chopra and Campbell quiet. The two goals weren't their fault. Kay could shine in the Championship. 8
Paul Heckingbottom: A little shaky early on. Became more confident as the game wore on although a nasty eye injury probably saw to his early departure. Subbed. 7
Martin Devaney: Woeful performance. Failed to beat his man and wasn't prepared to go in for the 50-50s. Subbed. 4
Sam Togwell: Cracking debut! His excellent ball-winning skills help create Howard's goal. He also drove forward for the full 90 minutes. Real star in the making! 9
Brian Howard: The fact Togwell is doing the “dirty work” is really seeing Howard flourish. His goal was out of this world and he created a stack of chances. Booked. 9
Michael McIndoe: Very subdued in the first half but we saw what he is capable of in the second half as his teasing runs left Gilbert chasing shadows. 7
Paul Hayes: Again ran himself into the ground trying to get Barnsley back into the game. Another player expected to flourish in the Championship. 8
Marc Richards: Gave everything really, although that gilt-edged miss probably put the final nail in the coffin. Booked. 7
Substitutes:
Tommy Wright (for Devaney 72) Probably his best performance in a Barnsley shirt! A great ball started off the move which saw Richards hit the bar. 7
Robbie Williams (for Heckingbottom 84) Hecks eye injury probably led to his departure and Williams didn't disappoint. 6
Unused Substitutes:
Kyle Letheran, Anthony McParland, Neil Austin
Sponsors Man of the Match: Brian Howard
BarnsleyBoy's Man of the Match: Howard is worthy but for an excellent debut I'll hand it to Sam Togwell.
Most Impressed By Cardiff‘s: Sorry to say but Stephen McPhail didn't put a foot wrong.
Ref Watch: Lee Mason: Was the man who reffed the Play-Off Final but was nowhere near as good as he was in that showpiece. Denied Barnsley a handful of definite handballs, two of which were in the area. 5
Coca Cola Championship Results Saturday 5th August 2006:
Barnsley 1-2 Cardiff
Birmingham 2-1 Colchester
Burnley 2-0 QPR
Ipswich 1-2 Crystal Palace
Leeds 1-0 Norwich
Luton 2-0 Leicester
Plymouth 1-1 Wolves
Preston 0-0 Sheffield Wednesday
West Brom 2-0 Hull
Barnsley lie in 17th place in the Championship with 0 points from 1 game. We are 3 points off the Play-Offs , 3 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 3 points off First Place clear of the Relegation Zone by goal-difference.
Next Up:
On The Road:
Hull City v Barnsley Tuesday 8th August 2006 Kick-Off 7:45pm
Tickets:
Adults: £23
Senior Citizens: £14
16 & Under: £14
Students (with Valid NUS Card): £14
Official Reds on the Road coaches will be making the trip to the KC Stadium
Tickets: £10. The coach leaves Oakwell at 5:15pm on the day of the game.
Colchester United v Barnsley Saturday 12th August 2006
Tickets:
Adults: £19
OAPs/ Students: £12
Juveniles: £12
Official Reds on the Road coaches will be making the trip to Layer Road.
Tickets: £16. The coach leaves Oakwell at 9am on the day of the game.
At Oakwell:
Barnsley v Southampton Saturday 19th August 2006 Kick- Off 3pm
Tickets:
MATCHDAY ADMISSION PRICES FOR THE 2006/2007 SEASON
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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