Adam who rang around the Keepmoat Stadium last night as new signing Danny Haynes bagged a brace to extend Barnsley’s remarkable winning record at Doncaster’s new home to three from three, without conceding a single goal. This was only the second clean sheet The Reds had managed to keep on the road this season, but they were full value for it after completely snuffing out the Rovers star man Billy Sharp, with captain Jason Shackell back to his irrepressible best after the poor showing at Hull.
It was though, new boy Haynes who stole the show, scoring with two clinical finishes in the second half that tipped this South Yorkshire derby Barnsley’s way and handed them their third victory away from Oakwell.
The 23 year old, who celebrated his birthday last Wednesday, was denied a dream debut goal by the linesman’s flag against Swansea at the weekend, but there was no stopping him last night.
Things were very different at half time however, with neither side looking a real goal threat in the first 45 minutes. Sharp had the half’s best chance when his low shot from seven yards was blocked by the knees of Luke Steele. The Reds failed to find any rhythm, as Rovers, renowned for their passing style, moved the ball around lovely in the midfield. It was clear in that opening half that The Reds best chance of creating anything was by getting the ball wide and sending it into the box for Garry O’Connor to either nod down or head towards goal. But Kieran Trippier had a very poor half, and was continually caught offside. Manager Mark Robins acted fast, hauling the youngster off at the break and bringing on Jim O’Brien. It paid off!
O’Brien has had a mediocre season so far by his standards, and certainly by the standards of a player named in the Scottish Premier League Team of the Year for 2009-2010 but last night he changed the game, bringing width, pace and a real threat to that right wing. It certainly paid dividends for The Reds as it brought Jacob Butterfield, Haynes and O’Connor into the game. Indeed O’Connor should have opened the scoring within minutes of the restart, when Butterfield surged down the left wing and drilled in a brilliant low cross to the back post where the Scot’s striker slid in to meet it but just could not get enough on it to direct it into the net.
The Reds need not worry because nine minutes after the break they were in front. O’Brien and Bobby Hassell linked well down the right, before the full back sent over a peach of a cross, which Haynes met at the far post and guided into the top corner. Rovers keeper Neil Sullivan probably should have kept it out as he got both hands on to it, but that did not matter to over 2,000 Reds fans massed behind the goal who went absolutely berserk!
It should have been two just two minutes later when O’Brien jinked his way past Adam Lockwood, drove into the area and then put the ball on a plate for Hugo Colace eight yards out. Incredibly he side footed the ball wide! If anybody was worried that the Argentine’s miss would come back to haunt them, they were wrong as with 23 minutes to go that man Haynes wrapped it up. Again receiving the ball on the right, he cut inside Lockwood before firing in a shot that took a deflection and squirmed under the body of Sullivan and into the back of the net.
Rovers were shot to pieces and Barnsley should have had more. Haynes was inches away from becoming the first Barnsley player to score a hat-trick since Michael Chopra six years ago this month when his curling effort just cleared the crossbar and O’Brien fired into the side netting.
The final whistle brought scenes of unconfined joy between players and supporters of a Barnsley persuasion.
King Hammill is dead, long live King Haynes!
Player Ratings:
Luke Steele – Had very little to do but was comfortable on crosses, which was very reassuring. 7
Bobby Hassell – Very defensive in the first half, but bombed forward after the break and linked up well with O’Brien. 7
Stephen Foster – Alongside Shackell, a rock! His night was savagely ended by Sharp. Subbed. 8
Jason Shackell – After his poor display at Hull, he was back to his best against one of his former clubs. Won everything in the air and completely nullified Billy Sharp. 8
Matt Hill – Was again good going forward and a lot more solid defensively. Signed permanently now after his Wolves contract was cancelled. Booked. 7
Kieran Trippier – Was continually caught offside and then hauled off at the break. The change proved decisive. Subbed. 5
Hugo Colace – Missed an absolute sitter and again had a stinker in the middle. Can’t tackle, cant pass and this season can’t score! Why is he in the team??? 3
Nathan Doyle – Another good game! If he keeps this up I might have to start praising him! Is doing all the dirty stuff which allows Butterfield to flourish. 7.5
Jacob Butterfield – Again was great on the ball. In the first half he looked like he was the only one who could make stuff happen, and in the second half he played some wonderful balls into the box. Really deserves a long run in the side now. 7.5
Danny Haynes – Adam who? No better way to announce your arrival than by bagging two goals in a South Yorkshire derby. Has incredible pace and his two goals shows he knows how to finish! 8
Garry O’Connor – Struggled to get into the game in the first half but was the main focal point in the second. Kept possession brilliantly and linked up very well with Haynes. Subbed. 7
Substitutions:
Jim O’Brien (for Trippier 45) Has failed to set the world alight since signing in the summer but tonight was certainly his night. His arrival changed the game and Doncaster struggled with him. 8
Diego Arismendi (for Foster 72) Brought on after Foster’s injury and helped keep the midfield together as Doyle dropped into defence. 7
Andy Gray (for O’Connor 87) –N/A
Unused: David Preece, Alistair Taylor, Goran Lovre, Steven Bennett.
BarnsleyBoy's Man of the Match: Danny Haynes- Helped dispel the memory of Adam Hammill with two excellently taken goalsammH.
DONCASTER ROVERS: Sullivan, Chambers (Friend 52), O'Connor, Lockwood, Kilgallon (Hird 71), Wilson (Keegan 44), Oster, Shiels, Coppinger, Sharp, Hayter.
Subs: Souza, Fairhurst, Woods, Mason.
Most Impressed by Doncaster’s: James O’Connor: This was an uncharacteristically poor Doncaster performance but O’Connor’s play down the right wing caught the eye.
Ref Watch: Mark Heywood: After the Hull debacle it was nice to have a good and relatively experienced referee in charge. He handled the game very well and hardly ever needed to use his whistle. 8
Npower Championship results: Tuesday 25th January 2011:
Doncaster 0-2 BARNSLEY
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Bristol City
Portsmouth 1-2 Burnley
Barnsley lie in 13th place in the Npower Championship with 37 points from 27 games.
We are 8 points off the Play-Offs, 10 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 15 points off First place and 11 points above the Relegation Zone.
Up to 25.1.11
Next Up:
On The Road:
Npower Championship Matchday Twenty Eight: Millwall v Barnsley Friday 28th January 2011 Kick-off 7:45pm.
Tickets:
Adults - £22.00
Senior Citizens (Over 60) - £13.00
Juveniles (Under 16) - £13.00
Juveniles (Under 12) - £8.00
Disabled Supporters - Contact the Box Office For More Information
At Oakwell:
Npower Championship Matchday Twenty Nine: Barnsley v Preston North End Tuesday 1st February 2011 Kick-Off 7:45pm.
Tickets:
Adults - £23.00
Senior Citizens (Over 60) - £13.00
Juveniles (Under 18) - £13.00
Juveniles (Under 12) - £6.00
Disabled Supporters - Contact Box Office for more information.