The night started with a minute's applause for Barnsley legends Johnny Steele and Frank Moore, and 90 minutes later we saw another legend in the making in goalkeeper Heinz Muller.
Muller has been superb all season, had all the superlatives thrown at him and has even been linked with Premier League leaders Arsenal. It probably seemed difficult to surpass his previous achievements but last night he managed it, and forged his place in Reds fans hearts for ever!
After just 16 minutes of a pretty turgid encounter with rock bottom Colchester United, Muller suffered what looked a serious knee injury after he punched away a dangerous looking corner.
The giant German lay prone on the floor for a full five minutes, in which time a stretcher and several staff rushed on to the pitch to attend to him.
Simon Davey's gamble on putting three strikers on the bench and no replacement goalkeeper seemed to be backfiring as Istvan Ferenczi, donned a goalkeeper's jersey in preparation for a job at the other end of the pitch to where he's used to operating.
All of a sudden though, Muller staggered to his feet and brushed away the stretcher and insisted he would carry on! In the day of players going off with even the slightest knock it was an incredible show of strength and courage.
In the end it proved a gamble that just about paid off. Due to the fact Muller was practically operating on one leg (his left leg) he could not kick at all and Stephen Foster took over goal-kicking duties, whilst whenever Muller had the ball in his hands he simply had to launch the biggest throw he could muster.
It still didn't stop him pulling off two magnificent saves, one in the first half from a stinging Phil Ifil drive and then another in the second half from Adam Virgo which led to cries from the Ponty End of "One leg, he's only got one leg"
To be honest though Colchester did not test him enough and we can only be grateful this was the rock bottom U's and not table topping West Brom who are the next visitors to Oakwell.
This match was all about ending the recent alarming slump that had seen Barnsley slip from 8th to 17th since their last league win against Wolves on 4th December. A total of eight games and nearly two months had past since three points had been gained, with only cup successes against Blackpool and Southend to take comfort from. Colchester though were really a great opportunity to get back on track.
A shadow of the side that performed superbly to finish 10th in their debut Championship season, they sat rock bottom with just five wins to their name and just one in their previous nine games. They were no pushovers though, far from. That solitary success had come at promotion chasing Charlton Athletic and with the big powerful Clive Platt upfront they always looked a danger.
Jon Macken and Daniel Nardiello started upfront for Barnsley but it was Colchester who came out of the blocks first and Platt missed a glorious chance to put the Us in front on 11 minutes when he met a Mark Yeates cross six yards out. With a free header, he somehow headed wide. Maybe that sums up why Colchester are struggling!
Before his injury Muller pulled off an unbelievable save from his own defender, Steve Foster who defected the ball towards goal. But then came the injury and five minute delay. Barnsley fans feared the worst but the back four of Marciano Van Homoet, Foster, Souza and home debutant Miguel Tininho were terrific in protecting their goalkeeper and the Us rarely threatened again apart from Ifill's effort which Muller just got his body behind to beat away.
The board went up to indicate five minutes stoppage and time and in this period The Reds created their first clear cut chance of the game and Jon Macken took it superbly on his permanent return from Derby.
The Reds have failed to win in the league since his departure and when Brian Howard, chipped in a cross, Nardiello flicked the ball down and Macken prodded it past the advancing Dean Gerken in the Us goal. It was a vital lead to take into the break.
As the teams appeared for the second half, only ten Barnsley players came out and as Ferenczi had been warming up in goal during the half time break it seemed likely Muller would not return. But this guy is made of stern stuff and looking like a true soldier he staggered out of the tunnel to massive applause from the Barnsley fans.
And another magnificent rearguard display made sure he could afford to rest his leg until the 56th minute when the Us squandered another golden opportunity. Kevin Lisbie somehow managed to wriggle past Souza to leave him one on one with the stricken Muller. But he stabbed the ball wide and Barnsley breathed again.
Muller then came to the rescue again with a wonderful stop from Virgo but The Reds looked more threatening when Ferenczi finally came on- for Nardiello though and he showed great control before spinning and just sent an effort over the top.
Veteran Teddy Sheringham came on for Colchester with ten minutes remaining but even he couldn't find a way through and The Reds hung on for a vital vital win to move the side up to 13th, seven points clear of the relegation zone. This was also the first clean sheet since the 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace on the 8th December.
Not bad for a one legged goalkeeper hey!
Player Ratings:
Heinz Muller: What really can you say about this man? His right leg was useless for 74 minutes but he refused to go off and leave his side with a striker in net. Pulled off two wonderful saves whilst crippled and has fully forged his way into Oakwell folklore with this display. 9
Marciano Van Homoet: Looked very comfortable at left back and got forward whenever possible. 7
Dennis Souza: Showed his early season form again. Was an absolute rock as he sought to keep Colchester away from Muller's goal. 9
Stephen Foster: Another solid display. Alongside Souza had a "shallt not pass" ethos throughout the game. Dominated in the air too. 9
Miguel Tininho: Heard unconvincing reports from several West Brom supporters, but I was very impressed with his home debut. Like Dominik Werling going forward but a lot more solid defensively. Some great challenges. 8
Jamal Campbell-Ryce: The cup hero was strangely subdued last night. Failed to get in the game and often picked the wrong option. Subbed. 5
Brian Howard: Deary me what has happened to our captain? From a £4m price tag, he's not worth 4p on this form. Only found a Red shirt once in setting up the goal and lost possession frequently. Booked. 4
Bobby Hassell: Looks uncomfortable as a defensive midfielder but still a better option than Sam Togwell. Looked a lot better when moving back towards defence as The Reds hung on. Please come back Anderson! 7
Diego Leon: Looks a star in the making. Easily the most talented player on the pitch. Colchester didn't know how to deal with him. A potential match winner! 9
Daniel Nardiello: Subdued return and judging by the mixed reception he got from fans still has a lot to prove again. More games should see him get back to his normal level. Subbed. 6
Jon Macken: Boy, how we have missed him. Made it four goals in his last three Barnsley games. Showed a predatory instinct to grab the only goal with the only real chance of the game. No coincidence we got back to winning ways with his return. 8
Substitutes:
Istvan Ferenczi (for Nardiello 73) I'm guessing he will have been mightily relieved it was Nardiello he came on for and not Muller. Looked very sharp as well. Very unlucky with one effort. 7
Kayode Odejayi (for Campbell-Ryce 90) On just to run down the clock. 6
Unused Substitutes:
Rob Kozluk, Sam Togwell, Michael Coulson
Colchester: Gerken ,Ifil ,Coyne ,Virgo ,White ,Yeates (Guy ,61 ) ,Izzet ,Guttridge (Sheringham ,79 ) ,Jackson ,Platt ,Lisbie
Subs not used Cousins,Balogh,Granville,
Sponsors Man of the Match: Diego Leon
BarnsleyBoy's Man of the Match: Cannot argue with the sponsors because Leon was fantastic but it's a joint award for me because Muller simply cannot be ignored.
Impressed by Colchester's: Clive Platt: Despite missing a sitter he was Colchester's biggest threat..literally
Ref Watch: Nigel Miller: Consistently poor. Seemed to be giving Colchester everything until he gave The Reds a goal-kick when it was blatantly obvious that Van Homoet had headed the ball behind. Laughable really. 4
Other Reports:
FootyMadBBC
Coca-Cola Championship Results: Tuesday 29th January 2008:
BARNSLEY 1-0 Colchester
Cardiff 3-1 QPR
Charlton 1-0 Stoke
Hull 1-0 Coventry
Ipswich 0-0 Plymouth
Preston 2-1 West Brom
Sheffield United 1-1 Watford
Southampton 0-1 Norwich
Wolves 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday
Monday 28th January 2008:
Leicester 1-0 Crystal Palace
Barnsley lie in 13th place in the Coca Cola Championship with 37 points from 29games.
We are 7 points off the Play-Offs, 14 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 14 points off First Place and 7 points above the Relegation Zone.
Up to and including 30/1/08
Next Up:
On The Road:
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Thirty: Coventry City v Barnsley Saturday 2nd February 2008 KickOff 3pm.
Tickets:
Adults - £23.00
Senior Citizens - £11.50
Students (with valid NUS) - £11.50
Young Adults - £11.50
Juveniles (Aged 13 - 15) - £10.50
Juveniles (Aged 7 - 12) - £9.50
Juveniles (Aged Under 7) - £8.50
Subject to availability, tickets will be on sale on the turnstiles at the Ricoh Arena, priced at £24.00 for adults and £12.00 all concessions.
Official Reds On The Road coaches will be making the trip to Coventry City. Coaches will depart Oakwell at 12 noon on the day of the game and the fare is £12.00.
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