A chilly Oakwell witnessed a tight game between two sides, both of which never really looked like scoring, nor conceding. With the Reds forced into changes, Marciano Van Homoet joined Darren Moore, Dennis Souza and Rob Kozluk at the back, with Bobby Hassell and Hugo Colace in the centre of midfield. Jamal Campbell-Ryce started on the left, with Daniel Bogdanovic on the right and up front was captain Jon Macken and Michael Mifsud.
The game was a tentative affair from start to finish with neither side creating many clear-cut chances, or penetration of the defensive line to secure all three points. With 12 minutes gone, a nice Kozluk cross found Bogdanovic ummarked at the back post. As he took a touch on the chest to control, the Birmingham defence had chance to react and block his goal bound volley, putting the ball behind for a corner. The corner set the precedent for how the Barnsley set pieces would continue for the rest of the game, as it was easily cleared by the lads from St Andrews.
In patches there was some nice play through the middle. Moore dealt with anything through the defence, and matched the Blues front pairing of Carlos Costly and Cameron Jerome. Colace was involved in some slick footwork with 25 minutes gone. His quick ball allowed Macken to get the ball out wide to Bogdanovic who crossed for Mifsud, who's first touch wasn't enough to steady the ball and his shot screwed well wide of Maik Taylor's goal.
With 13 minutes left, and the Chicken Balti Pie warming for half time, Birmingham had a goal disallowed for offside. A corner was swung over by Sebastian Larsson, which was shot from just inside 18 yards. The ball received a touch on the way goal wards and a free kick was awarded from six yards out for the offside.
Seven minutes into the second half, Barnsley had a penalty appeal turned down. Campbell-Ryce closed down a ball on half way and the ball broke with Macken down the left. Macken slipped the ball to Campbell-Ryce on the edge of the 18-yard box and as he jinked his way along the edge of the area, it looked as though he was either tugged, or slipped. Referee Graham Horwood decided on the latter, which from my view, looked like the correct decision.
The game continued with plenty of play from both teams in the middle third of the pitch. Simon Davey decided to change things with fifteen minutes left and Adam Hammill replaced Jon Macken and with eight minutes left, Hammill repaid his gaffers faith. His cross from the right filtered through to Mifsud at the back post and he calmly controlled before drilling in his first goal for the Reds. Unfortunately the lead, and the possibility of a much-needed three points were short lived. A needless foul by Bogdanovic resulted in a free kick half way inside the Barnsley half. The ball was punted in and both sides failed to get a touch, until it deflected off Heinz Muller into the path of centre half Martin Taylor, to score from close range.
The final 15 minutes of the game saw Barnsley attempting to get all three points, but unfortunately it was too little, too late. With our next visitors and fellow strugglers, Blackpool, getting a good point at Bramall Lane, Saturday's game will be a six pointer and one Barnsley must certainly look to make their own. Come on You Reds!
Coca Cola Championship Results Tuesday 10th March 2009:
BARNSLEY 1-1 Birmingham
Bristol City 2-0 Coventry
Doncaster 2-0 QPR
Norwich 2-0 Cardiff
Preston 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday
Reading 2-2 Charlton
Sheffield United 2-2 Blackpool
Southampton 1-1 Derby
Swansea 1-0 Plymouth
Watford 2-1 Nottingham Forest
Wolves 0-0 Ipswich
Wednesday 11th March 2009
Burnley 4-2 Crystal Palace
Barnsley lie in 21st place in the Coca-Cola Championship with 40 points from 35 games.
We are 18 points off the Play-Offs, 28 points off the Automatic Promotion Places, 31 points off First place and 1 point above the Relegation Zone.
Up to 12/3/09
Next Up:
At Oakwell:
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Thirty Six: Barnsley v Blackpool Saturday 14th March 2009 Kick-Off 3pm.
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Thirty Seven: Barnsley v Crystal Palace Tuesday 17th March 2009 Kick-Off 7:45pm.
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.
On The Road:
Coca-Cola Championship Thirty Eight: Derby County v Barnsley Saturday 21st March 2009 Kick-Off 3pm
Tickets:
Adults: £21.50
Senior Citizens (60 and Above): £12.75
Juvenile (16 and Under): £7.75.
Official Reds on the Road coaches are making the trip to Pride Park. Tickets: £12. Coach leaves Oakwell at 12.30pm on the day of the game.