Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Seventeen: Barnsley 3-2 Watford

If that's the top of the league we have nothing to fear. Watford came with a plan of hoof it up, shoot on sight and find the head of Danny Shittu. It worked, but a superb performance by the men in Red ensured that against the odds it was a home win that was attained.

It was no fluke either. Watford arrived at Oakwell; six points clear at the top with the best away record in the League. Only two sides have taken any points of Watford on their travels, but a fluent passing and attacking game was all it took to knock the Hornets out of their stride.

Watford did start the brighter and their effective game plan caused problems for The Reds defence without ever troubling Heinz Muller in the Barnsley goal. Marlon King and Darius Henderson worked well up front but Dennis Souza and Lewin Nyatanga were in imperious form and refused to be bullied.

We got our reward for dogged defending on the half-hour with two quality goals to send Oakwell into raptures and shockwaves around the Championship.

Dominik Werling swung in a free kick on 31 minutes that Jon Macken chested down to Brian Howard, but on his right foot. No problem this time for him, a superb strike into the far corner!

Within 90 seconds it was 2-0 with an even better finish from ex Watford man Martin Devaney.

Jamal Campbell-Ryce produced the best cross of his Barnsley career from the right wing, which left Devaney totally unmarked just inside the area. Everybody begged for him to take a touch, but without thinking he smacked a stunner into the near corner past the despairing dive of Watford keeper Richard Lee.

But Watford's strong presence finally brought dividends just two minutes later. A suspicious looking foul on Steve Kabba brought Watford a free kick, which he delivered for Shittu to power home.

And right on half time the game looked to have been thrown away.
This time a Tommy Smith cross again cause panic in the Reds rearguard and Shittu was there again to head home.

The signs look ominous now with an expected Watford onslaught in the second half. They even came out after the break a good five minutes before the Barnsley players.

And as the second half began there was wave after wave of attack…. From Barnsley!!

Devaney certainly had a point to prove to Aidy Boothroyd and he tortured the Watford right back Lloyd Doyley constantly.

The once again excellent Jon Macken nearly grabbed his first goal for the club but his flicked header was just kept out by Lee. If Campbell-Ryce had reacted quicker he could have tapped in the rebound.

On 65 minutes came the miss of the match and one that our Stan will have nightmares about.

Campbell-Ryce broke away down the right and delivered a low cross into the area. The goalkeeper Lee dived for it and missed leaving Ferenczi with a simple tap-in. But somehow, from dead centre of the goal he contrived to lift it over the bar.

Despair turned to ecstasy within a minute when Barnsley got their lead in bizarre circumstances. For the FOURTH GAME IN A ROW, a left-wing free kick from Brian Howard produced a goal (albeit the one at Wolves was wrongly disallowed) but it wasn't Ferenczi's head this time. The long ball flew to the far post where Nyatanga and Lee both challenged for it, with the Hornets stopper flapping the ball into his own net.

3-2, and well deserved. Up to this point there had only been one team in it in the second half.

Evitably though Watford knew they must attack to avoid only their third defeat of the season and Boothroyd threw on Damien Frances and Lionel Ainsworth for the final 10 minutes.

Reds fans had their hearts in their mouth at the death when Nyatanga appeared to haul down King in the area. Referee Pike gave nothing, The Reds enjoyed a slice of luck and defeated the table toppers! Now for that 24 year Hillsborough hoodoo…

Player Ratings:

Heinz Muller: Had no chance with the goals and never faced a serious shot. Wonderful cat-like leaps for crosses though. 7

Dominik Werling: I said last time out that Werling is not a full-back… So why did he play like one here?! His attacking menace was a joy again, sending in the free kick that lead to the first goal, whilst producing some wonderful lung busting tackles at the back. 8

Dennis Souza: Imperious again. Loves the physical challenges of big centre forwards. Henderson and King who have 18 goals between them this season had no chance. 9

Lewin Nyatanga: A tad fortunate not to give away a last minute penalty but wonderful throughout. One tremendous last-ditch tackle in the first half summed up his performance whilst it was his presence that forced Richard Lee to fumble into his own net for the winner. 8

Stephen Foster: Had it all against Watford. Defensively sound whilst his ball control and range of passing is a sight to behold. Always looked in control. 8

Jamal Campbell-Ryce: Apart from sending in the cross for Devaney's goal was totally anonymous for the first 70 minutes. Then had a 10 minute spell where Watford simply couldn't contain him, before limping off with cramp. Then awarded the Man of the Match award! Unfair to say the least. 7

Brian Howard: Finally produced the form that saw him linked with big money Premier League moves earlier in the season. A rare sight- a goal with his right foot, a wonderful free-kick for the third goal and a typical captain's performance! Wouldn't have anything to do with a certain Anderson De Silva being back alongside him in midfield would it… 9

Anderson De Silva: If this kid doesn't seem to have a future at Everton, I beg Messrs Shepherd and Cryne to find the funds to sign him in January. Sam Togwell isn't a patch on Anderson. Wonderful controlled performance. Can take the ball off an opponent without the need to go sliding in and never wastes a ball! Also brings the best out of Howard. Magnificent! 10

Martin Devaney: Best full game he's had in a long long time. Gave Lloyd Doyley a game to forget, produced a wonderful goal and was unplayable. 10

Istvan Ferenczi: Missed an absolute sitter in the second half but again won his ariel battles. A quiet display but certainly not a poor one. 7

Jon Macken: I've read a lot of harsh comments about Macken from certain Ipswich and Derby fans, who in my opinion are totally and utterly wrong! Had major roles in the first two goals, chesting down for Howard for the first and then superb control to evade two tackles before releasing Campbell-Ryce to cross for the second. Denied his first goal by the fingertips of Lee but a great display! 9

Substitutes:

Grant McCann (for Campbell-Ryce 86) Davey seemed insistent on not making subs during the game and the only reason McCann was introduced was because Campbell-Rye signaled to the bench he had to come off. 6

Unused Substitutes:

Paul Reid, Sam Togwell, Kayode Odejayi, Kim Christensen

Watford:

Lee, Doyley, Shittu, Mariappa (Ainsworth 79), Stewart, Kabba, Mahon (Francis 70), Williamson, Smith, King, Darius Henderson.
Subs Not Used: Jackson, Priskin, Ellington

Sponsor's Man of the Match: Jamal Campbell-Ryce

BarnsleyBoy's Man of the Match: To give the award to somebody who only performed for 10 minutes seemed wrong. I thought Souza, Devaney, Anderson and Macken had superb games. It's a tough one but Anderson just edges it. His return sparked a great performance.

Impressed by Watford's: Danny Shittu: As well as heading in two great goals, he was the epitome of what Watford are about. Big, strong and physical.

Ref Watch: Mike Pike: Should be struck off the list! Angered both sides throughout the game. Totally inconsistent! 2

Other Reports:

FootyMad

Offical Report

BBC

Coca-Cola Championship Results: Saturday 24^th November 2007

BARNSLEY 3-2 Watford

Bristol City 0-2 Leicester

Burnley 0-0 Stoke

Cardiff 1-0 Ipswich

Colchester 1-2 Crystal Palace

Norwich 2-0 Coventry

Preston 0-2 Charlton

QPR 0-0 Sheffield Wednesday

Scunthorpe 1-2 Hull

Sheffield United 0-1 Plymouth

Southampton 1-0 Blackpool

Sunday 25^th November 2007

West Brom 0-0 Wolves

Barnsley lie in 7^th place in the Coca Cola Championship with 26 points from 17 games.

We are 1 point off the Play-Offs, 5 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 10 points off First Place and 10 points above the Relegation Zone.

Next Up:

On The Road:

Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Eighteen: Sheffield Wednesday v Barnsley Tuesday 27^th November 2007 Kick-Off: 7:45pm

Tickets:

Adults: £21

Senior Citizens: £12

Juveniles (U16) £12

Official Coaches will be traveling to Hillsborough

Price: £8

Departure Time: 5:30pm on the day of the game.

Please Read:

http://www.barnsleyfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10309~1176189,00.html

Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Nineteen: Ipswich Town v Barnsley Saturday 1^st December 2007 Kick-Off 7:45pm

Tickets:

Adults: £26.50

Senior Citizens (Over 60): £18.50

Juveniles (16-18): £18.50

Juveniles (U16) £9

Official Coaches will be traveling to Portman Road

Price: £19

Departure Time: 9:30am on the day of the game.

At Oakwell:

Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Twenty: Barnsley v Wolverhampton Wanderers Tuesday 4^th December 2007 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 0871 2266777. 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.

Man of the Match: Anderson De Silva