On Loan Arsenal Loanee Keeper Vito Mannone cost Barnsley a second successive match with a huge clanger in the 93rd minute at Oakwell.
Granted The Reds were pretty poor but looked to be heading for a point until Mannone, who was under no pressure whatsoever, dropped a Lewis Emanuel cross over his head to allow substitute Ahmet Brkovic to head home from two yards and send the travelling Luton fans into delirium.
Don't get me wrong The Reds didn't really even deserve a point after putting in their worst home performance of the season. Only central defenders Bobby Hassell and Antony Kay, who were both magnificent, and midfielder Martin Devaney can take any credit out of this game.
Paul Heckingbotttom (again) and the strike force of Marc Richards and in particular Paul Hayes were well below par.
The firs half was practically a none event with long balls and misplaced passes replacing the usual attacking football the Oakwell faithful have become used to.
Mannone also looked shaky with backpasses and was insistent on staying on his line whenever the ball came near the area.
The second half though exploded into life with 2 goals in a minute.
Firstly on 47 minutes Carlos Edwards did brilliantly to create space on the edge of the area before superbly firing across Mannone into the far corner.
Within seconds The Reds were level.
Straight from kick-off The Reds burst upfield and Brian Howard bustled his way through the Hatters defence before slipping the ball past ex Red Marlon Beresford.
From then on though Luton dominated possession but didn't look like having the killer touch. Strikers Sam Parkin and Warren Feeney who both have excellent scoring record against Barnsley failed to click but with virtually the last kick of the game Mannone handed Brkovic and Luton the points!
At the end Mannone was inconsolably as Robbie Williams and Andy Ritchie put their arms around him before he walked up the tunnel. You do have to feel sorry for the lad but with Nick Colgan in goal we may well have had 9 points from 9...
BarnsleyBoy's Verdict:
Worst display of the season with transfer speculation seemingly playing on Paul Hayes' mind. Only Hassell and Kay kept Barnsley in the match and well, Mr Mannone may be back in North London very soon. Poor game!
Player Ratings:
Vito Mannone: Shaky display capped by the horror mistake that handed Luton the win at the death. If only we still had Scott Flinders… 3
Neil Austin: Was still feeling his way back from injury and so was a little subdued today. Forced off at the end after a crunching foul from Rowan Vine. 6
Bobby Hassell: Outstanding and cannot be faulted. True captain's display. Paul Reid has a fight to get back in the side now! 9
Antony Kay: Along with Hassell absolutely superb and showing the form of 2003-2004 again. 9
Paul Heckingbottom: Looks so out of his depth in the Championship as its now becoming apparent why Sheffield Wednesday allowed him to leave last season. 5
Martin Devaney: His mazy runs and crosses offered The Reds an attacking outlet although he needs to cut out the fancy tricks at inapposite times. Bizarrely substituted for Wright. 8
Sam Togwell: Worked his socks off but got little support from Howard. 7
Brian Howard: His only contribution was scoring the goal. Continually gave the ball away. 5
Michael McIndoe: Was great on the ball but for some reason his team-mates didn't use him often. 6
Paul Hayes: Totally off the pace, not at all a Paul Hayes performance. How he stayed on for 90 minutes Ill never know. 4
Marc Richards: Slightly better than Hayes but was continually roughed about by Luton centre back Leon Barnett with no protection from an absolutely shocking referee. 6
Substitutes:
Tommy Wright (for Devaney 80) Another 10 minute headless chicken routine. 5
Robbie Williams (for Austin 90) Got a short run-out after a horror tackle ended Austin's game. 6
Unused Substitutes:
Kyle Letheren, Colin Healy, Nicky Wroe
Sponsors Man of the Match:
Bobby Hassell
BarnsleyBoy's man of the Match:
No arguments at all with the sponsors today, Hassell was outstanding, totally outstanding. As Andy Gray would say, Take a bow son!
Most Impressed By Luton's: Nobody stood out although Carlos Edwards' goal was impressive.
Ref Watch: Dean Whitestone: Hadn't heard of him before the game, certainly know about him now. Referees are getting worse. FACT -3!
Coca Cola Championship Results Saturday 30th September 2006
Barnsley 1-2 Luton
Birmingham 1-1 Leicester
Cardiff 4-0 Wolves
Coventry 0-1 Plymouth
Derby 3-0 Southend
Hull 1-1 Crystal Palace
Southampton 1-2 QPR
Stoke 1-1 Preston
Sunderland 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday
West Brom 4-2 Leeds
Friday 29th September 2006
Colchester 1-0 Ipswich
Barnsley lie in 18th place in the Championship with 11 points from 10 games. We are 5 points off the Play-Offs, 7 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 12 points off First Place and 2 Points clear of the Relegation Zone.
Next Up:
At Oakwell:
Coca Cola Championship Matchday Twelve: Barnsley v Plymouth Argyle Tuesday 17th October 2006 Kick-Off 7:45pm
Tickets for the big game are priced at:
East Stand and West Stand Upper Tiers
Adults £22.00
OAP/Juvenile £13.00
Juveniles (U11) £7.00
Barnsley Chronicle Family Area
Adults £22.00
OAP £13.00
Juvenile £13.00
Juveniles (U11) £7.00
East Stand Lower and West Stand Lower
Adults £21.00
OAP/Juveniles £12.00
Juveniles (U11) £6.00
Enterprise PLC Stand (Pontefract Road End)
Adults £20.00
OAP/Juveniles £12.00
Juveniles (U11) £6.00
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. Please note that Juvenile U11 tickets must be purchased in advance from the Oakwell Box Office and this price will not be on sale on the turnstiles under any circumstances.On The Road:
Coca-Cola Championship MatchDay Eleven: Sheffield Wednesday v Barnsley Saturday 14th October 2006 Kick-Off 3pm.
Tickets:
Adults - £19.00
OAPs (Over 65) - £10.00
Juveniles - £10.00
Please note that all seats in the away end at Hillsborough could have a post in view, as indicated on the tickets.
Official Reds On The Road coaches will be making the trip to Swillsborough
Tickets: £8
The coach leaves Oakwell at 1pm on the day of the game.
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