Funny old game football. Probably the oldest but yet most relevant cliché in football.
For the first 20 minutes of last night's game at
The first 20 minutes were THAT bad. No movement, no quality, no nothing! Derby were cutting through at will and it was only the bad final touches on their part which had stopped them putting the game out of sight long before Adam Hammill's beauty levelled the scores.
Probably the greatest turnaround in performance has to go to Rob Kozluk. Quite simply he has been woeful this season and in the first half, Lee Croft- who tore Barnsley apart for Norwich in the 4-0 drubbing at Carrow Road last season- was giving the full-back a torrid time, beating him EVERY time whilst on some occasions, Croft was giving the freedom of the Reds left hand side with Kozluk nowhere to be seen.
Second half? Different story! Kozluk never gave Croft a sniff, put in some terrific tackles and was arguably the Reds best defender after the break! I'm all for giving second chances- Rob, after last night this is yours!
The feeling going into this game was of trepidation. The Reds had won just four times in 17 trips to Derby and even the wave of optimism and early good results that accompanies the arrival of a new manager had failed to work, with Mark Robins tenure getting off to a 1-0 defeat at Watford- a place where Barnsley rarely lose!
Those fears were enhanced in those opening 20 minutes.
Stephen Foster did well to block an effort from the very lively Kris Commons and Dean Moxey curled an effort just wide before Derby grabbed the lead after 25 minutes.
Croft nipped past Kozluk like he wasn't there and whipped in a delicious cross that Rob Hulse powered past David Preece.
Usually it takes conceding a goal to make
It was a move identical to the first goal with Croft again racing down Kozluk's side to whip a great ball in for Hulse. All the ex Blade had to do was nod it in. Even now I cannot fathom how he managed to direct the ball wide! It looked a certain goal from the moment Croft crossed the ball in.
It may have been a moment that defined the match because five minutes later,
Adam Hammill- a big disappointment since his permanent return to the club, picked the ball up on the left wing, cut inside and from fully
It was a goal that could maybe change the season- it certainly changed this match.
After the break
It was though thanks to a touch of luck, and a couple of dodgy refereeing decisions that The Reds took the lead on 57 minutes.
Colace seemed to nudge Commons over but referee Nigel Miller waved away the penalty appeals. The Reds broke through Hallfredsson and the Icelandic international slipped the ball through to Gray in the penalty area who was stood all alone. The entire
After the trials and tribulations already suffered in a season, still only seven games old, it was littler wonder 784 travelling supporters went berserk!
Derby
They should have been further in front on 77 minutes thanks to some baffling play from Bywater. The goal-keeper had already sent a few risky kicks up the field before, throwing the ball straight to the feet of Gray! Gray, probably through shock couldn't finish, and when Butterfield sent the ball back over, Hugo Colace skied his effort from the edge of the area.
Hallfredsson departed with seven minutes remaining after a poor challenge from Commons and this led to the fourth official's board showing EIGHT minutes of injury time. Certainly enough to send panic into the away end, but it was The Reds who hit again first.
With a minute of the allotted time gone, Gray and Anderson broke clear with the striker feeding the Brazilian and he galloped clear. Now everybody knows
That should have been it, but just to show that everything isn't rosy in the Oakwell garden again just yet, Shaun Barker was given a free header which he planted past Preece in the 95th minute to ensure the final skirmishes would be tense.
The Reds though did hold on, and are, for now off the bottom of the Championship. It remains to be seen whether this is the start of a revival or just a mere highlight in another gloomy season. In Robins We Trust
Player Ratings:
Bobby Hassell: Quiet game for Bobby. Didn't really stand out but still stood up to be counted like the rest in the second half. 6
Stephen Foster: His interventions stopped
Darren Moore: Maybe a little lucky not to concede a penalty but nothing else seemed to bother him. Excellent in the air and produced some thundering tackles. 7.5
Rob Kozluk: Was as bad as he has ever been in the first half. Truly awful. The best defender after the break though!
Adam Hammill: Even in those torrid 20 minutes he was The Reds best hope of creating anything and boy did he ever. Cracking goal and was a constant threat thereafter. 7
Hugo Colace: Was horribly poor in the first half and failed to find a red shirt. Different second half though. Provided a great screen for Hallfredsson and Butterfield. Makes you wonder why he couldn't have done it for 90minutes. Booked. 7
Emil Hallfredsson: An absolute revelation especially after the break. Showed great control, skill and energy. Dominated that midfield and then got crunched… Just our luck! Subbed. 8
Jacob Butterfield: Good to see him back in the side and was his usual calm, composed self. 7
Iain Hume: Was a hive of energy all game and went close with a free-kick. The goal touch does seem to have deserted him though. Subbed. 6
Andy Gray: Far too early to mention him in the same breath as Neil Shipperley but certainly put in a performance the big man would be prove of. Was a fantastic target man and even though maybe offside, produced a lovely finish for the goal. 8
Substitutes:
Anderson De Silva (for Hallfredsson 83) May have put hearts in mouths with the way he scored his goal but any goal for
Unused Substitutes:
Subs: Deeney, McEverley, Leacock, Pringle, Hendrie.
Most Impressed by
Ref Watch: Nigel Miller: For once it seemed we had a ref on our side!
Coca Cola Championship Results
We are 8 points off the Play-Offs, 12 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 13 points off First place and inside the Relegation Zone on Goal Difference.
Up to
Next Up:
At Oakwell:
Tickets:
Adults £21.00
Adults £19.00
Carling Cup Third Round:
Tickets:
Adults - £15.00
Senior Citizens - £10.00
Juveniles (U18) - £10.00
Juveniles (U12) - £5.00
Current season ticket holders will have until close of business on Saturday September 12 to claim their seats for the game. All seats will go on general sale on
On The Road:
Tickets:
ADULTS - £30.00
SENIOR CITIZENS (OVER 60) - £20.00
YOUNG ADULT - (16 - 21) - £20.00
JUVENILES (UNDER 16) - £20.00
Official Reds on the Road coaches will be making the trip to
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