That's it then. Three points, Championship safety and if we are all honest, a quite satisfying season coming to a close.
After last weekend's fraught and ultimately disappointing defeat to Leicester, this result could not have been more comfortable and was never in any real doubt.
Charlton's hopes of an instant return to the Premier League were extinguished by Queens Park Rangers last weekend and they played like a side who were already lying on a warm beach.
This game meant more to Barnsley, and it showed. Kayode Odejayi and Jamal Campbell-Ryce both went close before JCR opened the scoring against his former club on 11 minutes.
Great speed and skill saw him slalom into the area and whilst his first effort was blocked, his second flew into the far corner of the net. He celebrated in some style too, ripping off his shirt and running half the length of the pitch.
Odejayi could have done better when heading straight into the arms of Nicky Weaver, before Darren Ambrose was inches away from a leveller. He hit a dipping volley that flew just wide.
That was the sum of Charlton's attacking prowess in the first half and The Reds were two up just after the half hour.
Brian Howard's corner bobbled about in the area, Bobby Hassell stabbed at before Lewin Nyatanga forced it over the line.
It was nearly three right on half-time, when another Howard corner was headed towards goal by Dennis Souza, and smacked by Odejayi towards goal, but inexplicably Nyatanga cleared it off the line.
The second half was inevitably different as Charlton, no doubt given a rollicking by manager Alan Pardew started to asset some pressure. But it was Barnsley who came close to adding to the scoreline. Hassell, of all people chipped a lovely free kick that left Weaver stranded, but the ball agonisingly came back off the crossbar.
With the clock ticking down, Simon Davey decided to make changes. Howard's withdrawal on 76 minutes had the look of a final goodbye from the midfielder as he stood and applauded all three sides of the home support. Jacob Butterfield came on… and took the captains armband.
He showed some nice touches too, calm and composed on the ball, definitely one for the future.
Charlton had chances to give Reds supporters nervy moments when Matt Holland swung in a corner and Andy Gray six yards out, somehow turned the ball over the bar.
He was made to pay with five minutes remaining. Rob Kozluk was left in a heap but Campbell-Ryce played on, much to the annoyance of Jon Macken who pleaded for the ball to be put out of play. Campbell-Ryce continued though before feeding the ball to Marciano Van Homoet. He left Ben Thatcher for dead on the by-line before crossing the ball in where Macken, of all people was waiting. And he managed to squeeze in a header despite Sam Sodje's best efforts on the line.
Luke Steele was forced into making a superb save from Charlton youngster Jonjo Shelvey at the death but the points were already secured. Barnsley can now look back on beating Liverpool, Chelsea, a trip to Wembley and hopefully the relegation of Sheffield Wednesday….!
Player Ratings:
Luke Steele: Forced into a superb save at the death but will probably never have a more comfortable afternoon. 7
Marciano Van Homoet: Excellent game. Defended superbly and attacked with menace. Great skill to set up Macken for the third goal. Subbed. 8
Lewin Nyatanga: Crucial at both ends. Nice goal and defended well. 7
Dennis Souza: Another accomplished display. Kept the giant Chris Iwelumo quiet. 8
Rob Kozluk: Has to cut out the rash challenges. Caught out a lot today. 5
Jamal Campbell-Ryce: Superb! Everything flowed through him. Scored a terrific goal and caused no end of problems. Booked. 9
Brian Howard ©: A few corners and free kicks were poor but otherwise driven to get the team moving. His substitution seemed to hint at a farewell applause for the supporters. Subbed. 7
Bobby Hassell: A lot better than last week. Put in some crunching tackles and ever so close to a goal with a cheeky free kick that hit the bar. 7
Diego Leon: Bubbly and bright in the first half but fell off the pace after the break. Subbed. 6
Kayode Odejayi: His first touch is abysmal. Tries his hardest but doesn't read situations. 5
Jon Macken: Worked his socks off like he does every game and popped up with the killer third goal. 8
Substitutes:
Sam Togwell (for Leon 59) Worked well. Kept the Charlton midfield busy and ran up and down the left flank. 7
Jacob Butterfield (for Howard 76) One substitute league appearance and then the captains armband! Not bad hey? Looks a promising player. Calm and composed on the ball and was always ready for the pass. 7
Istvan Ferenczi (for Van Homoet 87) Not enough time to impact on the game. 6
Unused Substitutes:
Kyle Letheren, Daniel Nardiello.
Sponsor's Man of the Match: Jamal Campbell-Ryce
BarnsleyBoy's Man of the Match: No doubt at all. JCR ran the game. Great display.
Charlton:
Weaver ,Halford ,McCarthy ,Bougherra (Sodje ,46 ) ,Thatcher ,Ambrose (Gray ,70 ) ,Holland ,Semedo (Wagstaff ,66 ) ,Shelvey ,Varney ,Iwelumo
Subs not used
Most Impressed by Charlton's: Matt Holland. Experience and skill, but nobody really looked bothered for Charlton today.
Ref Watch Richard Beeby: Like most refs, missed the obvious but spotted the ones nobody else did. 6
Player of the Year:
Supporters Player of the Year: Stephen Foster
Disabled Player of the Year: Stephen Foster
Young Player of the Year: Michael Coulson
Academy Player of the Year: Jamil Adam
Most Promising Young Academy Player: Paul Digby
Supporters Trust Player of the Year: Stephen Foster
Supporters Trust Young Player of the Year: Michael Coulson
Other Reports:
Footymad
Official Website
BBC
Coca-Cola Championship Results Saturday 26th April 2007
BARNSLEY 3-0 Charlton
Plymouth 3-0 Blackpool
Sheffield United 2-1 Bristol City
Burnley 3-3 Cardiff
Colchester 0-1 Stoke
Coventry 1-1 Wolves
Hull 2-1 Crystal Palace
Preston 2-2 Ipswich
Leicester 1-3 Sheffield Wednesday
Norwich 3-0 QPR
Barnsley lie in 17th place in the Coca-Cola Championship with 55 points from 45 games.
We are 13 points off the Play-Offs, 22 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 23 points off First place and 5 points above the Relegation Zone
Up to and including 26/4/08
Next Up:
On The Road:
Coca Cola Championship Matchday Forty Six: Cardiff City v Barnsley Sunday 4th May 2008 Kick-Off 2pm:
Tickets:
Seating:
Adults: £23
Juveniles (Under 16): £15
Senior Citizens (Over 60): £15
Students (With valid NUS) £15
Standing:
Adults: £22
Juveniles (Under 16): £15
Senior Citizens (Over 60): £15
Students (With valid NUS) £15
Official Reds on the Road coaches will be making the trip to Ninian Park. Price: £19. The coaches leave Oakwell at 7am on the day of the game.
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