Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Thirty Six: Blackpool 1-1 Barnsley

Man of the Match: Lewin Nyatanga

Reds boss Simon Davey played a rather bizarre formation that saw Kayode Odejayi, on his first start for nearly two months operating close to the right hand side of midfield and Bobby Hassell and Sam Togwell tussling for the defensive midfield berth. It was a formation that eventually frustrated Blackpool but meant that Stephen Foster was often left to man the right touchline as Odejayi drifted inside.

At least this hard earned point ended a run of four successive away league defeats and yielded just the 11^th goal away from Oakwell this season - (the lowest away scorers in the division)

The Reds indeed started brightly with Jamal Campbell-Ryce, this time on the left causing problems with his pace whilst Foster also looked comfortably when going forward.

But chances were at a severe premium with referee Mr K Evans (officiating his first match above League One this season) blowing every time a player brushed past another.

Blackpool though did look inventive in the midfield where they had classy players like the excellent Wes Hoolahan and Stephen McPhee. It still came as a surprise though when the Seasiders, with just one defeat in their last six took the lead after 20 minutes. The identity of the goal-scorer though did not shock the sizeable Barnsley following. Gary Taylor-Fletcher had scored three goals in his last six appearances against The Reds, (all coming in the 2005-2006 season) and he made it four in seven with ease last night.

Stephen Crainey whipped in a cross from the left hand side of the area which flew across the entire Barnsley defence to leave the former Huddersfield man totally unmarked and he cleverly looped a header over Steele and into the far corner.

The Reds were nearly level on 28 minutes as Brian Howard broke away with the ball before feeding Campbell-Ryce, he slipped the ball to Togwell but "my favourite player" held on to the ball too long in the area and was eventually tackled by Ian Evatt.

Odejayi nearly handed Blackpool a second when he headed a corner towards his own goal but Steele just managed to tip it over.

Hassell then tried his luck from 25 yards out after a knock down from Togwell but he showed the finish of a right-back by blazing high and wide.

Odejayi had the ball in the net on 43 minutes after he found himself unmarked from Marciano Van Homoet's ball and he showed beautiful control to swivel and smack the ball in to the net. A linesman's flag though cruelly denied him the goal he so desperately needs.

Nothing though denied Campbell-Ryce in the 1^st minute of stoppage time.

Odejayi showed good strength to knock the ball down to the onrushing Foster but he hit an embarrassing shot that flew across the area instead of towards the goal. It fell nicely though for Campbell-Ryce who showed composure to tuck an effort past Paul Rachubka and into the far corner.

Undeserved maybe and in the second half The Reds never really looked like adding to it as Blackpool dominated possession without ever really testing Steele. They did nearly re-take the lead on 48 minutes as Stephen McPhee who scored a great goal at Norwich at the weekend found him self in the clear. He shot too close to Steele though who got a block on the ball but it rebounded off the legs of Van Homoet, trickled towards goal but very fortunately came back off the post.

After that all Blackpool could do was lump long balls in towards Taylor-Fletcher and Andy Morrell but the Reds defence with Lewin Nyatanga again superb held firm and there was always a sneaky suspicion The Reds could pounce on the break.

On 62 minutes Dennis Souza sent a free header over from a Howard corner but that was about the best it got.

Overall it is a vital away point especially with third bottom Sheffield Wednesday losing and our away form being as atrocious as it is. Still, it shouldn't give Chelsea many sleepless nights…

Player Ratings:

Luke Steele: Only really had one effort from McPhee to deal with and had no chance with the goal. 6

Stephen Foster: Was playing right midfield for a lot of the times but Mr Cool was again composed and did everything without much trouble. Lucky though that his embarrassing shot found its way to Campbell-Ryce for the equaliser. 7

Dennis Souza: Struggled a bit in the air but was in charge on the floor. 7

Lewin Nyatanga: Excellent. As wave after wave of cross came into The Reds area in the second half he won them all to keep Blackpool out. 9

Marciano Van Homoet: Nearly scored an own goal but coped well down the left. Got forward to support Campbell-Ryce. Subbed. 7

Jamal Campbell-Ryce: We really would be in trouble without this guy. A composed finish when The Reds were looking desperate in front of goal and was a worry to the Blackpool defence all evening. 8

Brian Howard: Was good and purposeful when on the ball. Just didn't see it enough. 7

Bobby Hassell: A lot more solid than against Wednesday and produced some good tackles. 7

Sam Togwell: Not quite sure where he was playing. Went from right midfield to centre midfield to right back. I say back on the bench would suit him fine. 5

Jon Macken: Again good on the ball but booked for dissent. Booked. Subbed. 6

Kayode Odejayi: Put himself about and unlucky not to score when the linesman's flag denied him. 7

Substitutes:

Martin Devaney (for Van Homoet 78) Didn't see much of the ball but when he did he gave it away right on the touchline on the death and then brought down his man after. Davey was furious! 5

Michael Coulson (for Macken 88) Needs more than two minutes. N/A

Unused Substitutes:

Diego Leon, Istvan Ferenczi, Daniel Nardiello

BarnsleyBoy's Man of the Match: Lewin Nyatanga: Campbell-Ryce was again great going forward but especially in the second half Nyatanga was a mountain.

Impressed by Blackpool's: Taylor-Fletcher must have it written in his contract to always score against us whilst Hoolahan could play higher.

Ref Watch: K.Evans: First match at this level and it showed. Far far too happy with the whistle. 4

At Oakwell:

FA Cup Quarter Final: Barnsley v Chelsea Saturday 8^th March 2008 Kick-Off 5.30pm

Tickets: SOLD OUT

Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Thirty Seven: Barnsley v Ipswich Town, Tuesday 11^th March 2008 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

Official Reds on the Road coaches will be making the trip to Selhurst Park. Coaches will depart Oakwell at 9:45am on the day of the game and the fare is £19.00