Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Thirty Four Barnsley 3-0 Hull City

Three points was crucial, whisper it quietly but this game could really have been win or bust for The Reds.

They didn't just win though they murdered fellow relegation rivals Hull City and in doing so moved above The Tigers and back out of the Championship relegation zone.

The new Hungarian duo of Istvan Ferenczi and Peter Rajczi started up front together for the first time since their shock arrivals in South Yorkshire- and they might just preserve Barnsley's Championship status.

Ferenczi in particular was immense. The phrase lost cause doesn't exist in his vocabulary (well I suppose most English phrases don't either). He put in a truly brilliant solo display notching a brace to take his tally to 3 in just 2 starts.

The game had the makings of a cagey affair and the sight of Ray Parlour and ex Red Jon Parkin sent shivers down the Oakwell faithful's spines before kick-off but Ferenczi and Rajczi shunted them well and truly out of the limelight.

Granted Barnsley were handed two of their goals by a hapless Hull defence but at the end of the day you have to take your chances and Ferenczi made the most of his on 16 minutes.

Rajczi flicked on a long punt up field from Nick Colgan (who mysteriously failed to emerge for the second half) and the ball took a fortunate ricochet off the legs of Hull defender Michael Turner to put Ferenczi in the clear and he kept his cool to slip the ball past the advancing Boaz Myhill.

Hull for all their talent failed to really threaten and their gameplan took a real hammering with two players limping off after just half an hour.

Defender Danny Coles was the first to exit on 20 minutes and he was joined 10 minutes later by midfielder Stephen McPhee. He was roundly booed after a theatrical dive earlier on in the game.

Barnsley emerged for the second half with just 10 men for a brief moment until David Lucas came on for his debut. Colgan who was hardly threatened in the first half failed to emerge for the second period. He didn't seem to be carrying a knock in the first half but I'm sure only injury would have seen him replaced.

The change didn't affect The Reds in the slightest though as they doubled their lead within 60 seconds of the kick-off to really knock the wind out of Hull's sails. And again Hull crumbled at the back.

Hull dallied on the ball and under pressure from Ferenczi the ball went straight to Rajczi who raced clear and gave Myhill absolutely no chance with a cool finish into the corner.

After deafening boos at being 2-0 down within 10 minutes in the previous home game, the Oakwell faithful were now in full voice and the 11 men on the pitch responded accordingly.

Grant McCann dictated play in the middle, Ferenczi and Rajczi continued to give the Hull defence and Myhill jitters and the game was put beyond all doubt 14minutes from time.

A lovely left wing cross from Brian Howard saw Ferenczi pull away from his marker and power a wonderful header past Myhill.

There could have been more with Howard going close after Myhill had come off his line to clear the ball.

The best Hull mustered was a header when the scores were at 2-0 that Devaney hacked off the line.

And both Rajczi and Ferenczi left the field to huge and well deserved standing ovations.

Saturday 10^th February 2007: Barnsley 0-3 Colchester

Tuesday 20^th February 2007: Barnsley 3-0 Hull

What a difference a week and a half makes plus a dash of a couple of "Hungary" strikers!!

Player Ratings:

Nick Colgan: Rarely troubled in the first half and then replaced by Lucas at half-time. Subbed. 6

Paul Heckingbottom: Wasn't too bad first half but in the second period proved he isn't Championship class. 5

Paul Reid ©: Bossed about a bit in the air by Parkin early on but grew with confidence as the game wore on. 7

Lewin Nyatanga: Very promising player. Good in the air and on the ground. Looks a real prospect. Booked. 8

Bobby Hassell: One of his best right back games and defended doggedly all game. Got involved in an unsavoury scuffle with Hull's Darryl Duffy in the last minute after a wild challenge from the former Hartlepool loanee. Both players were lucky to stay on the field as punches appeared to be traded. Booked. 7

Brian Howard: Again deployed on the left wing and quiet first half, but came really alive in the second period culminating in a great cross for Ferenczi to head in the 3^rd. 8

Grant McCann: Ran the show from midfield and put the more illustrious Ray Parlour to shame. Without Mattis he seems to shine. 8

Sam Togwell: Did his usual run around the pitch without actually getting involved but its harsh to criticise anybody after tonight. 6

Martin Devaney: His work-rate was tremendous tonight as he tracked back as well as getting forward. Needs to cut out the showboating but still ran his heart out. 8

Istvan Ferenczi: Immense. Ashley Ward and Neil Shipperley rolled into one! Simon Davey must be rightly criticised for some of the signings and performances this season but Ferenczi could be the find of the season! Subbed. 10

Peter Rajczi: Complements Ferenczi perfectly and between them they ripped Hull to shreds. A great finish for the killer 2^nd goal right at the start of the second half. Subbed. 9

Substitutes:

David Lucas (for Colgan 45) Fine debut from the ex Owl. Came off his line for crosses unlike Colgan and inspired confidence among his defenders. 7

Kyel Reid (for Rajczi 81) His pace was the last thing Hull wanted to see and made some promising runs. 6

Marc Richards (for Ferenczi 88) The performances of Ferenczi and Rajczi must have struck fear into Richards mind, and if they keep performing, 2minute cameos might be the best he can hope for! 6

Unused Substitutes:

Robert Atkinson, Ritchie Jones

Sponsor's Man of the Match: Peter Rajczi AND Istvan Ferenczi

Barnsley lie in 20^th place in the Coca Cola Championship with 35 points from 34 games. We are 21

points off the Play-Offs, 27 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 28 points off First Place and 3 points above the Relegation Zone.

Next Up:

On The Road:

Stoke City v Barnsley Monday 26^th February 2007 Kick-Off 7:45pm

Tickets:

Official Reds On The Road coaches will be making the trip to the Britannia Stadium

Tickets: £11

Coaches will depart Oakwell at 4pm on the day of the game.

This game is live on SKY SPORTS!

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