Tommy Wright became an unlikely Barnsley hero after he kick-started The Reds THIRD comeback in just SIX games.
The Reds who were totally woeful in the opening 45 minutes and deservedly 2-0 down looked like heading for their first back to back defeats since last September until 2 goals in 3 minutes from substitute Wright and Championship Joint Top-Scorer Paul Hayes rescued a point.
Barnsley put in arguably their worst performances of the season in the first half creating very little with only the outstanding Michael McIndoe coming out of it with any credit.
Stoke were hardly much better but the strength of strike duo Vincent Pericard and Mamady Sidibe was causing problems for Paul Reid and Bobby Hassell and the Potteries were a goal up inside 3 minutes.
Former Manchester United youngster Luke Chadwick swung in a right wing corner which Sidibe flicked on for Clint Hill to power a header past a stranded Nick Colgan from 5 yards.
This failed to wake The Reds as continuous long balls were pumped up to the woefully ineffective Marc Richards which ex Leeds and Chelsea star Michael Duberry dealt with everytime.
It was therefore no surprise when Stoke doubled their lead on 23 minutes.
Peter Sweeneys left-wing cross was cushioned down by Pericard for the onrushing Chadwick to sidefoot past Colgan.
The best The Reds could muster was on 33 minutes when Hayes did well to muscle past two defenders but sent his effort wide of Steve Simonsen's goal.
The inevitable chorus of boos rang around Oakwell at half-time for the first time since last season.
Barnsley did seem slightly more invigorated in the second half but still found it hard to break down the Stoke resistance although they should have awarded a penalty on 57 minutes when Brian Howard was brought down INSIDE the area but fell OUTSIDE but amazingly referee Colin Webster gave a free-kick.
Wright replaced Richards ten minutes later and within 5 minutes the much maligned striker who's only previous Reds goal was a tap-in at Brenford had started a fight-back.
Wright did tremendously well to control Colgan's long punt forward before barging past 2 defenders.
The ball was then intercepted but Wright got the luck he deserved as the ball rebounded to Hayes who laid it back into Wright's path and he fired it into the bottom corner.
Three minutes later it was 2-2.
A great cross-field run by McIndoe took him past 3 Stoke midfielders before laying the ball off to Devaney.
He then raced forward before firing the ball into the area where Hayes was waiting to turn in and claim his 4th goal of the season.
Stoke though could have snatched the points in injury time but Hassell made a great block from Pericard and The Reds just held on for a point that they probably didn't deserve.
Player Ratings:
Nick Colgan: Had very little to do apart from pick the ball out of the net twice. Is desperate for his first clean sheet in the Championship. 6
Dale Tonge: One of the best performances I've seen from Tongy especially going forward. Worked extremely well with Devaney down the right in the second half. 8
Bobby Hassell: Struggled a little with the power of Pericard and Sidibe but never let it get to him. Made a great block from Pericard in injury time. 6
Paul Reid: Had to be at his best and he was. Strong in the tackle and even got the ball moving forward. 8
Robbie Williams: Rather quiet and didn't get forward as much as he would have liked. McIndoe's excellent show in front of him meant he didn't need to. 6
Martin Devaney: Average first half, came to life in the second period as he started to run at defenders, great cross for the equaliser. 7
Sam Togwell: First poor game of the season. His tackling and passing was off the mark. But we'll let him off after the start he's had. Booked. 6
Brian Howard: With Togwell subdued Howard seemed to be doing the work of two men. It certainly restricted him. Subbed. 6
Michael McIndoe: Superb individual display. Totally laughed at the critics who said he couldn't make it in the Championship. His runs were magnificent, a truly superb solo display. 10
Paul Hayes: Didn't get going until he got the goal but as ever he worked hard. 7
Marc Richards: Another woeful display and makes Ritchie's claims that he is a "young Neil Shipperley" even more ridiculous. Looks League One at best. Subbed. 4
Substitutes:
Tommy Wright (for Richards 68) Changed the game for the first time in his Oakwell career. Great goal that galvanised the team. 8
Colin Healy (for Howard 81) Still needs more time to make a proper opinion but showed some nice touches. 6
Unused Substitutes:
Vito Mannone, Paul Heckingbottom, Anthony McParland
Sponsors Man of the Match: Paul Hayes.
BarnsleyBoy's Man of the Match: I can only believe Hayes got the award because he scored. McIndoe was easily the best man on the pitch out of either side.
Most Impressed By Stoke‘s: Michael Duberry: Kept Richards in his pockets and looks a class player.
Ref Watch: Colin Webster. Not as bad as Mike Dean in the previous home game but the fact he gave a free-kick when Howard was clearly fouled in the area shows the refs aren't getting better. 5
Coca-Cola Championship Results: Saturday 9th September 2006:
Barnsley 2-2 Stoke
Birmingham 2-1 Hull
Burnley 1-2 Colchester
Coventry 3-0 Norwich
Derby 1-2 Sunderland
Ipswich 2-1 Southampton
Luton 2-1 Crystal Palace
Plymouth 1-1 QPR
Preston 2-1 Cardiff
Southend 0-0 Sheffield Wednesday
West Brom 2-0 Leicester
Barnsley lie in 12th place in the Championship with 8 points from 6 games. We are 2 points off the Play-Offs, 5 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 5 points off First Place and 2 Points clear of the Relegation Zone.
Next Up:
On The Road:
Coca-Cola Championship MatchDay Seven: Burnley v Barnsley Tuesday 12th September 2006 7:45pm.
Tickets:
Adults - £18.00
OAPs (Over 60) - £11.50
Juveniles (Under 16) - £9.00
Official Reds On The Road coaches will be making the trip to Turf Moor,
Tickets: £11.
The coach leaves Oakwell at 5pm on the day of the game.
At Oakwell:
Coca-Cola Championship MatchDay Eight: Barnsley v Wolverhampton Wanderers Saturday 16th September 2006
Tickets:
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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