They say in Semi-Finals and Finals that the biggest thing is making sure when the final whistle blows that you have no regrets and no recriminations. When Alan Wiley ended Barnsley's first FA Cup Semi-Final for 96 years one man wearing the number 9 shirt and 33,000 fans had plenty. Kayode Odejayi had gone a long way to booking The Reds their place at Wembley by heading the winner against Chelsea in the Quarter-Finals but yesterday, on the grandest stage of them all he finally proved why he isn't cut out for the Championship, or for the big stage.
Barnsley had the biggest nerves at kick-off as they failed to get going for the first ten minutes, and it proved fatal as Cardiff snatched a lead in that time that they never really threatened to lose.
Tony Capaldi's long throw into the Barnsley box bounced around before Rob Kozluk headed it straight up into the air and Joe Ledley caught it beautifully hooking a left foot effort into the top corner of the net. Luke Steele had no chance in goal, he saw it so late it was already in before his belated dive.
From that moment the game changed, The Reds dominated possession but with a strikeforce that had scored a combined total of seven goals in 77 appearances this season it doesn't take a scientist to work out where the problem lies. The Reds huffed and puffed and Jamal Campbell-Ryce was a real livewire. His mazy runs baffled Cardiff's defence but he had no support and often his runs came to nothing.
Barnsley did nearly get an instant equaliser. Kozluk's cross swirled towards the six yard area and Odejayi beat Peter Enckleman to the punch but Roger Johnson was there to head off the line. The half chances continued to come. Dennis Souza met Brian Howard's corner, but his header went inches past the post with Enckleman scrambling to get across and then on 26 minutes, another great Howard corner was met by Ferenczi but Trevor Sinclair was there on the line to hack clear. Those efforts were sandwiched in between a rare, but great chance for Cardiff to double their advantage. Gavin Rae swung a low right wing cross into the area which Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink flicked goalwards, Steele made a great parry and somehow Sinclair's rebound came back off Steele again.
The second half continued in the same vein. The Reds pushed and pushed but a lack of a killer instinct was proving their undoing but on 66 minutes the tie should have firmly swung in Barnsley's favour. A superb ball from Howard sent Odejayi galloping away. He was clear for a full 50 yards and had plenty of time to compose himself and finish. As the goal came into view, Enckleman covered his near post leaving a gaping corner for Odejayi to put the ball into. Inexplicably he went for the near post, he went for an inch gap rather than feet and slammed his effort into the side-netting. You simply cannot miss those opportunities in FA Cup Semi-Finals, you cannot miss those chances at Wembley.
At that moment the dream ended. The victories over Liverpool and Chelsea would be cherished but no more magic was to come.
Cardiff smelled success and went to put the game to bed. Peter Whittingham's dipping effort just cleared the bar, before a slip by Stephen Foster saw Rae sneak in but Steele made another excellent block. The referee added four minutes of injury time but by then it was too late.
It has been a Cup run to remember, a season where Barnsley Football Club has been put firmly on the football map and become everybody's second favourite team for a little while. There is now another six cup finals to come in the league, points are needed to ensure this season does not become a complete disaster!
Player Ratings:
Luke Steele: Had absolutely no chance with the goal and produced three terrific stops to keep Barnsley in the tie. 8
Rob Kozluk: Booked for a rash challenge on Hasselbaink and had a quiet game. Booked. Subbed. 6
Stephen Foster: Ruled as "very very doubtful" by Davey earlier in the week and maybe his bruised foot was on his mind. A performance below his normally high standards with one slip letting Rae in. 6
Dennis Souza: Excellent game! Certianly did not deserve to be on the losing side as he kept Hasselbaink as quiet as a mouse. Made some brilliant tackles and interceptions. 8
Marciano Van Homoet: Tried to get forward as much as possible and sound defensively. 7
Martin Devaney: Showcased his repetoire of fancy tricks but we seemed to spend the entire 94 minutes waiting for him to deliver another cross like against Liverpool and Chelsea. Sadly it never came. Subbed. 7
Brian Howard: Tried his hardest and the tears at the end proved how distraught he was. Always wanted the ball but couldnt break down the Cardiff defence. 7
Bobby Hassell: Quiet. Needed to support Howard more but let this big game pass him by. 6
Jamal Campbell-Ryce: Exciting as ever. Beat two or three men everytime he got the ball but was not given much opportunity to pass. Always threatening and like Souza didnt deserve to lose. Booked. 8
Istvan Ferenczi: Went close with one effort that Sinclair kicked off the line but hardly thretaened thereafter. Subbed. 5
Kayode Odejayi: Cost Barnsley a place in the FA Cup Final. Sounds harsh but its true. Most strikers dream of opportunities like the one he got and he blew it big style! It will take a long time to forget. 0
Substitutes:
Michael Coulson (for Ferenczi 65) Bright and bubbly. Ran after every lost cause without much luck. 7
Diego Leon (for Devaney 69) It was hoped he could be the one to unlock the door but he rarely saw much of the ball. 5
Jacob Butterfield (for Kozluk 86) As the seconds ticked away the youngster got his big day. 6
Unused Substitutes:
Kyle Letheren, Sam Togwell.
Cardiff: Enckelman ,McNaughton (Ramsey ,47 ) ,Johnson ,Loovens ,Capaldi ,Ledley ,Rae ,McPhail ,Sinclair (Thompson ,61 ) ,Whittingham ,Hasselbaink (Scimeca ,88)
BarnsleyBoy's Man of the Match: Dennis Souza and Jamal Campbell-Ryce: Two players who gave the games of their lives. Neither deserved to lose.
Impressed by Cardiff's: Joe Ledley. Proved to be the difference with a great goal. Can play at a higher level for sure.
Ref Watch: Alan Wiley: Controlled the game superbly. A refreshing change. 9
Other Reports:
FA Cup Semi Final Results: Sunday 6th April 2008
Barnsley 0-1 Cardiff City
Saturday 5th April 2008
West Brom 0-1 Portsmouth
Next Up:
On The Road:
Coca Cola Championship Matchday Forty One: Watford v Barnsley Wednesday 9th April 2008 Kick-Off: 7:45pm
Tickets: Adults - £25.00
Senior Citizens (Over 60) - £15.00
Young Adult (16 - 19) - £15.00
Students (Under 25 with valid NUS) - £15.00
Juveniles (15 and under) - £10.00
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Forty Two: Preston North End v Barnsley Saturday 12th April 2008 Kick-Off: 3pm
Tickets:
Adults - £21.00
Senior Citizens (Over 65) - £15.00
Young Adult (16 - 17) - £15.00
Juveniles (15 and Under) - £9.00
Juveniles (Under 7) - £FREE
Official Reds on the Road coaches will be making the trip to Preston. Coaches will depart Oakwell at 11.45am on the day of the game and the fare is £12.00
At Oakwell:
Coca-Cola Championship Matchday Forty Three: Barnsley v Leicester City Saturday 19th April 2008 Kick-Off 3pm
Tickets:
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