Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Thirty Nine: Barnsley 1-1 Nottingham Forest

Lets give credit where credits due. Nottingham Forest played well and on their second half performance will probably feel slightly aggrieved that they didn't win. But in all honesty if Jamal Campbell-Ryce had slotted home his penalty after 57 minutes the game would have been dead and buried and The Reds would have been all but safe for another year.

As it is Campbell-Ryce missed (only the second time Barnsley have missed a penalty out of 36) Forest were galvanised and went on to secure a point which will probably look better for them than us. Reds boss Simon Davey said after the game that it was a better point for Barnsley but when you look at the facts, Forest were away from home, and have three of their remaining five games at home. Barnsley, were playing, on paper their easiest remaining game of the season, and although having two games in hand, five of their final seven are away from Oakwell (where they have picked up just 49 points from a possible 207 since returning to this division) and their two home games are against league leaders Wolves and play-off chasing Swansea. To put it bluntly, yesterday was must win and again, like the previous two seasons against Leicester, The Reds slipped up when the pressure was on and the stadium was full.

Nerves seemed to envelope both sides in a very poor first half, although Forest probably shaded it. Neither side really forced goal-keepers Heinz Muller and Iain Turner into action but the biggest worry was the poor showing from The Reds strike force of Michael Mifsud and Jon Macken. After a bright start to his Reds career for Mifsud, he seems to have gone off the boil. He apparently missed a couple of sitters at Derby and yesterday he was simply awful. He couldn't control the ball and when he did get clear for the one and only time in the second half, he stumbled which allowed Turner to get there first. It was really no surprise at all when his international team-mate Daniel Bogdanovic replaced him.

The second half was a completely different affair, opened up by a goal within 38 seconds of the restart.

Bobby Hassell launched a long throw into the area, which was allowed to bounce and Campbell-Ryce produced a great header which looped over Turner into the back of the net. The little Jamaican was clearly delighted as he ripped off his shirt and celebrated for a good few minutes. Then when the referee went to book him, he kissed the ref right on the cheek! Luckily the ref saw the funny side… the only time he did all the game!

Throughout he was brandishing yellow cards to Barnsley fans like confetti for nothing challenges, but then completely ignored blatant ones such as when Andranik was hauled back as he attempted to run clear.

Forest rallied straight away and were incredibly unlucky not to be level on 51 minutes.

Debutant Dexter Blackstock surged forward before laying the ball off to Robert Earnshaw. The Welsh international then cracked a stunning effort that beat Muller all ends up but cracked off the underside of the crossbar and away to safety. Six minutes later The Reds had a chance to finish the game.

Andranik surged into the area and was tripped by Wes Morgan. What followed may well prove a turning point in Barnsley's season. Andranik immediately took hold of the ball and was adamant he would take the penalty, Campbell-Ryce tried to wrestle it off him and captain Stephen Foster was forced to come in and tell Andranik that Campbell-Ryce was The Reds penalty taker. The Israeli stormed off before eventually turning around and gave Campbell-Ryce a hug. The damage had already been done however and with Campbell-Ryce surely distracted he missed his first penalty of the season after three successful ones. His low effort was tipped away by Turner! You really feel if that had gone in Forest would have collapsed. Their supporters had certainly gone silent for the first time in the game! The save though galvanised the 4,000 travelling army and the players and Forest poured forward. Muller got out quickly as Earnshaw surged clear but on 69 minutes he grabbed the equaliser. Blackstock's low cross wasn't cleared and Earnshaw, in the six yard area managed to smash the ball past Muller.

It was a goal that finally opened this game up with both sets of supporters in the 19,000 plus crowd roaring their side on.

Anderson caught Andranik's corner perfectly on the volley but Turner managed a fabulous save before Chris Cohen's low cross was somehow missed by Earnshaw with the goal gaping. Nathan Tyson forced a smart stop from Muller and right at the death Turner tipped over Andranik's effort!

It was clearly two points dropped in an electrifying atmosphere. You imagine Tuesday night's game will be even hotter. Barnsley now need to do a "Forest" and at least get something from it!

Player Ratings:

Heinz Muller: I say it every week but distribution was poor again. Had no chance with the goal or the effort which cracked the crossbar. 5

Rob Kozluk: Solid game from Kozzie. Didn't put a foot wrong. 7

Stephen Foster: Will have been slightly embarrassed to have to separate Campbell-Ryce and Andranik. Solid game though. 7

Darren Moore: Unbeatable in the air and kept the muscular Tyson very quiet. 7

Bobby Hassell: His long throws seem to be a cracking weapon as highlight by the one which set up the goal. Everybody connected with club are delighted he has signed a new contract. 7.5

Andranik Teymourian: His hissy fit may have cost The Reds the three points but he tried to make up for it. He dominated the midfield and was unlucky not to score. 8

Anderson De Silva: Another good game full of skill and poise. Like Andranik, unlucky not to score. 8

Hugo Colace: One of those solid, unflappable performances. His holding allowed Anderson and Andranik to get forward. 7

Jamal Campbell-Ryce: Well taken goal which he obviously enjoyed, but a really frustrating performance. At least twice he did ever so well to get in a good position to shoot or set up a team-mate, yet decided to try and take on another player. You cannot do that when points are so vital! 6.5

Jon Macken: Unfairly booked and in the first half he had to keep dropping deep for the ball. His time at the club may be ending. 6

Michael Mifsud: We should thank him really…. That he said no to a permanent move back in January! I'm baffled how he got 17 goals for Coventry last season. Yes the service wasn't great but for a player who is supposed to be good with the ball at his feet, he couldn't control a wooden block! Got clear once and stumbled.. 3

Substitutes:

Daniel Bogdanovic (for Mifsud 82): Was absolutely criminal that it took 82 minutes for the first sub. No time for Bogdanovic to get involved. 6

Martin Devaney (for Campbell-Ryce 88) Another cameo. N/A

Unused Substitutes:

Luke Steele, Marciano Van Homoet, Dennis Souza

Sponsor's Man of the Match: Andranik Teymourian

BarnsleyBoy's Man of the Match: Andranik Teymourian: Stupid hissy fit but he controlled the game.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST: Turner, Wilson, Lynch, Morgan, McGugan (McCleary 61), Tyson (Chambers 90), Earnshaw, Cohen, Gunter, Osbourne, Blackstock.
Subs: Smith, Breckin, Garner.

Most Impressed by Forest's: Robert Earnshaw: Clearly still has that goal-scoring instinct. We could do with it!

Ref Watch: Lee Probert: Couldn't wait to get his cards out for nothing challenges. Poor game. 4

Coca Cola Championship Results Saturday 4^th April 2009:

BARNSLEY 1-1 Nottingham Forest

Blackpool 0-1 Plymouth

Bristol City 1-1 Preston

Coventry 0-0 Reading

Derby 1-1 Burnley

Doncaster 1-2 Watford

Norwich 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday

QPR 0-0 Crystal Palace

Sheffield United 2-0 Ipswich

Southampton 2-3 Charlton

Barnsley lie in 20^th place in the Coca-Cola Championship with 45 points from 39 games.

We are 18 points off the Play-Offs, 27 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 32 points off First place and 3 points above the Relegation Zone.

Up to 4/4/09

Next Up:

On The Road:

Coca-Cola Championship Forty: Sheffield United v Barnsley Tuesday 7^th April 2009 Kick-Off 7:45pm

Tickets:

Adults - £25.00
Senior Citizens (Over 60) - £15.00
Students (With Valid NUS) - £15.00
Juveniles (Under 16) - £15.00

Official Reds on the Road coaches are making the trip to Bramall Lane. Tickets: £9. Coach leaves Oakwell at 5.30pm on the day of the game.

Coca-Cola Championship Forty One: Watford v Barnsley Saturday 11^th April 2009 Kick-Off 3pm

Tickets:

Adults - £10.00
Senior Citizens (65 and Over) - £10.00
Students (Under 25 with a valid NUS) - £10.00
Juvenile (Under 16) - £10.00
Juvenile (Under 16) when purchased with an adult ticket * - £1.00

*Maximum two tickets per adult.

Official Reds on the Road coaches are making the trip to Vicarage Road. Tickets: £23. Coach leaves Oakwell at 9:30am on the day of the game.

At Oakwell:

Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Forty Two: Barnsley v Swansea City Monday 13^th April 2009 Kick-Off 3pm.

Tickets:

East Stand and West Stand Upper Tiers

Adults £21.00

OAP/Juvenile £12.00

Juveniles (U11) £6.00

Barnsley Chronicle Family Area

Adults £21.00

OAP £12.00

Juvenile £12.00

Juveniles (U11) £6.00

East Stand Lower and West Stand Lower

Adults £20.00

OAP/Juveniles £11.00

Juveniles (U11) £5.00

CK Beckett Stand (Pontefract Road End)

Adults £19.00

OAP/Juveniles £11.00

Juveniles (U11) £5.00

All Disabled Areas £19.00

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.