Marc Richards was the Red’s hero with two quality first half finishes after poor defending from Forest. After a pretty dire start Barnsley started getting the better of the game and Paul Hayes had a shot easily saved by Forest keeper Paul Gerrard.
The opening goal came on 14 minutes after good build up work by Barnsley and a nice flick on by Hayes sent Richards into the clear, he waited for Gerrard to commit himself before slotting the ball to the keepers left and into the net.
Nottingham Forest 0-1 Barnsley
Now, Barnsley started dominating and Tyson dragged wide a shot but that was about Forest’s best chance in the first half. Shuker was played through by a lovely flick by Hayes but he fired his fierce shot into the side netting. Tyson also shrugged off Carbon to smash a shot over the bar.
After a lot of pressure Barnsley went 2-0 in front. Gerrard’s long kick was knocked back and Richards forced Morgan into a mistake and he ran through before curling a tremendous shot past Paul Gerrard.
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Barnsley
Grant Holt tested Colgan for the first time after 40 minutes after a snapshot from a ball by Chris Commons. Wes Morgan could and should have made it 2-1 on 45 minutes after an inswinging corner by Commons which he headed over the bar from pretty much underneath it.
Into the second half Barnsley could have been 3-0 up after Paul Hayes could have rounded off a great team move but his effort came back off the bar.
Nicky Southall did well to get his shot away on 56 minutes but Colgan lifted up an arm to tip the ball over the bar. From the resulting corner Ian Breckin’s bullet header struck Colgan’s near post.
Nothing much more happened apart from bookings for Carbon and Hayes for the Reds and Tyson and Grant Holt for Forest. Forest’s woe was completed in the third minute of injury time after Nathan Tyson hacked down Neil Austin and received his second booking and he was on his way. On his way off Barnsley captain Paul Reid must have said something to Tyson because he slapped Reid round the face, which may result in FA action.
Player Ratings
Nick Colgan 7 – Didn’t really have much to do apart from tip Southall’s shot over the bar.
Bobby Hassell 7 – A complete performance from bleached haired Bobby tonight, won most of his aerial battles.
Paul Reid 8 – A super performance from Captain Fantastic tonight, won nearly every header and worked very well with Carbon.
Matt Carbon 9 – A fantastic game this one for Carbon. Won every header was strong in the tackle and my man of the match.
Neil Austin 6 – Didn’t look 100% tonight. Bit slow in chases but apart from that a good performance from Aussie.
Chris Shuker 7 – Looks nowhere near as lively as last season but still looked good tonight. He should have been used a bit more though. Subbed due to injury.
Jacob Burns 8 – As usual gave his all and did a lot of tracking back and covering fro McPhail.
Stephen McPhail 7 – Looked better than I’ve seen of him for a long time. Subbed also due to injury.
Martin Devaney 6 – Looked completely anonymous to me. Didn’t have enough of the ball to give him a good or bad mark.
Paul Hayes 8 – Good game for Hayes tonight. Lovely flick for Shuker’s chance and a great effort that unluckily hit the bar. Booked for a needless handball.
Marc Richards 9 – Great performance and great goals for Richards. Best performance I’ve ever seen from Richards tonight.
Subs
Howard (for McPhail 68) 6 – Looked OK did nothing wrong.
Nardiello (for Hayes 76) 5 – Never saw him to be honest also did nothing wrong but it was almost like he wasn’t there.
Heckingbottom (for Shuker 86) 6 – Wasn’t on long enough to make an impression but also did nothing wrong.
Powerade Man of the Match : Marc Richards
Scarborough Tykes Man of the Match : Matt Carbon because he never let Tyson or Holt settle was immense and I haven’t seen a better performance at center back since Chris Morgan was here.
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