Barnsley Scrap Book 2009/10

by **NIGHTMARE** Mon 7 Sep - 22:33:55

Sheffield Wednesday 2 (Johnson 9, Gray 38) Barnsley 2 (Butterfield 58, Macken 75)

BARNSLEY staged a stunning second half comeback to snatch a share of the spoils after a thrilling South Yorkshire derby at Hillsborough in front of more than 30,000.

Well a summer of downpours was over as the August sun beat down on Hillsborough. Football's back and the Reds could not have wished for a better or bigger opening fixture as they lined up to face the Owls. In came Anderson de Silva while Kayode Odejayi and Jon Macken led the attack against Wednesday. New boys Onome Sodje and David Preece were named on the bench alongside Iain Hume, who took his place amongst the new look seven subs.

Wednesday handed a debut to Darren Purse on the opening day while Francis Jeffers partnered Marcus Tudgay up front.

The noise level inside Hillsborough was deafening as the new season kicked off although both sides struggled to get a foothold in a frantic and scrappy start. A long punt forward by Lee Grant and an aimless header over the bar by Tudgay was the closest either side came to an opening three minutes.

The Reds had a big shout for a penalty waved away on five minutes as Martin Devaney's cross struck Tommy Spurr but it was always too close a decision to make for referee Anthony Taylor and the Cheshire official waved away the Barnsley protests.

Wednesday sprang into life on eight minutes as Tugday managed to get his head to Darren Potter's free kick deep in the Reds area. The ball fell nicely for James O'Connor but Luke Steele was in the right place to make a fine stop.

The home side snatched the opening goal just a minute later as Michael Gray's cross from the right somehow made it through to Jermaine Johnson and the winger scrambled a low shot through Steele and into the back of the net.

It was almost two on eleven minutes as Jeffers managed to get in behind Rob Kozluk to cross but Tudgay could not get his header on target from 12 yards under pressure from Darren Moore.

The Reds finally put the Owls under pressure on 14 minutes as Anderson's break onto Bobby Hassell's throw split the home defence but the Brazilian could not find a decent cross from the byline and Grant was able to smother. Barnsley went even closer on 16 minutes as Hassell's free kick fizzed through to Grant - it just needed a touch from someone to put it into the back of the net.

Wednesday were confident - a little too confident perhaps as Gray tried to beat Steele from 35 yards on 18 minutes with a free kick that flew well wide of the post. Barnsley responded with Odejayi making a nuisance of himself in the area on 20 minutes as he battled with Purse. The ball dropped to Macken on the edge of the box but the striker was denied a certain goal by Grant's outstanding save.

There chaos in the Owls box seconds later from Butterfield's corner. Anderson ended up in the book for a late challenge on Grant as the Wednesday keeper went to grab a dropping ball.

Spurr then somehow got away without a booking on 23 minutes as he practically hauled the shirt off Hassell's back as the Reds full back raced towards the area. Barnsley really ought to have been level from Butterfield's deep free kick as Anderson appeared unmarked at the back stick but planted a free header wide of the target. It was a golden opportunity for the Brazilian to drag his side back on level terms.

Wednesday went close again on 26 minutes and once more the danger came from the flanks as Gray sent one over from the right for Johnson to attack but the winger could not find the target from 16 yards.

Barnsley's afternoon could have gone from bad to worse on the half hour as Jeffers nipped around Stephen Foster and in on goal. The Reds skipper did the only thing he could do and clipped the striker to the ground just outside the box. It could have been a red but Barnsley were more than a little relieved when the referee brandished yellow.

Makcen really should have scored on 35 minutes s he raced onto a loose ball in the area before seeing his low drive well blocked away. Barnsley were incensed seconds later as Johnson sent Jamal Campbell-Ryce tumbling right on the edge of the box although it appeared as though the Reds winger was just inside the area. Nothing came of the free kick.

The Owls further pressed home their advantage just two minutes later as Spurr's long throw was touched on by Tudgay and Gray managed to get his head to the ball and plant it past Steele into the back of the net. Gray took the chance well but the Reds defence was statuesque as he attacked the ball from the right.

Barnsley struggled to get going up front in the first half although Butterfield's free kick on 42 minutes did put the Owls under pressure. In the end Anderson lashed one high over the bar from the edge of the box. Anderson then almost found the right pass to send Odejayi clean through on 44 minutes but Grant was quickly out of his goal to make a brave stop at the feet of the Reds striker.

A scrap in the heart of the Wednesday half between Odejayi and Purse gifted the Reds a fine chance on 50 minutes as the ball deflected off an Owls leg and put Macken clean through. The striker kept his shot down but saw his effort kicked away by Grant. From the corner Anderson could only head wide.

Wednesday were almost further in front seconds later as Johnson cut in well from the left before seeing his low drive strike Foster and bounce wide.

Hassell's long throw almost gave the Reds hope on 54 minutes as the ball bounced around in the Owls area. It eventually fell for Odejayi but the striker could only fire a difficult effort through a crowd and at Grant.

Barnsley grabbed their goal on 58 minutes and it came from the boot of youngster Butterfield. Hassell fired the ball over from the right and, as the Owls were caught napping, Butterfield was in the right place at the right time to ram it in at the back post.

Barnsley capped a fine second half come back on 75 minutes with a goal out of nothing. Odejayi beat Purse in the air to nod on Steele's long free ball past the Wednesday defence and Macken raced clear before finding the perfect finish to beat Grant from 12 yards.

The Reds suddenly found their feet and Anderson headed one over the bar on 80 minutes from Hassell's cross after good play by Bogdanovic and Butterfield.

Odejayi finally got a free kick up against Richard Wood on 82 minutes to give the Reds another chance to get a shot in on goal. Hassell took it and probably wished he hadn't as his effort smacked into the wall.

Wednesday could have won it on 86 minutes when Lewis Buxton found Potter on the edge of the box but Steele was quickly down to make a fine save. Johnson then saw one deflect away

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY: Grant, Spurr, Buxton, Purse, Tudgay, Jeffers (Esejas 70), Potter, Wood, O'Connor, Johnson (Beevers 87), Gray.
Subs: Hinds, Miller, McAllister, Simek, O'Donnell.

BARNSLEY: Steele, Hassell, Foster, Moore, Kozluk, Campbell-Ryce, Anderson, Butterfield, Devaney (Bogdanovic 75), Macken, Odejayi.
Subs: Preece, Hume, Sodje, Potter, Adam, Hibbert

by **NIGHTMARE** Mon 7 Sep - 22:34:56

BARNSLEY 0 COVENTRY CITY 2 (Best 9, Morrison 82)

IT was all rather flat as the Reds never really gave themselves a foothold in a game that went away from them as soon as Leon Best's controversial early free kick ripped into the back of the net.

With Darren Moore passing a noon fitness test, Reds manager Simon Davey was left with a tough decision to make at the heart of defence after Luke Potter performed do admirably at Lincoln City. In the end Davey went with experience and Moore slotted in alongside skipper Stephen Foster. Daniel Bogdanovic was rewarded for his match winning strike at Sincil Bank with his first start of the campaign. Kayode Odejayi dropped to the bench.

For all their reported injury problems, Coventry named both Best and Clinton Morrison in attack with ex-Red Michael McIndoe providing the ammunition from the left wing.

Coventry had the benefit of a debateable refereeing decision - yet again - on eight minutes after Foster won a header cleanly against a tumbling Morrison. Referee Steve Tanner thought otherwise and gave a controversial free kick right on the edge of the area. Best took it and smacked the ball through the wall and past Luke Steele before he had the chance to move.

Barnsley responded with Jacob Butterfield picking the right pass through Coventry on 17 minutes to send Bogdanovic away but the striker was crowded out of it by Martin Craine and the chance went begging. Coventry almost grabbed a second on the counter just two minutes later as Patrick Van-Aanholt skipped down the left before giving the ball to McIndoe but the winger's cross-shot flew in front of Steele and away.

Jon Macken had the Coventry defence worried on 26 minutes as he cut in from the right to get a shot away but the striker's low drive flew through a crowd of players and wide of the goal.

It took half an hour but the Reds finally settled in the blustery conditions. Macken's header from Adam Hammill's corner almost gave Moore a chance at the back post but the Coventry defence somehow managed to clear the danger.

Call it debateable but Coventry had the benefit of another iffy decision on 35 minutes as McIndoe hit the deck under the slightest of contact from Anderson. This time Sammy Clingan curled the free kick wide of the far post.

Coventry really should have been two up on 38 minutes as McIndoe, Morrison and Best combined to put Isaac Osbourne clean through on goal. Osbourne's effort was woeful - although that's being kind - and the ball squirmed off the outside of his boot and well, well wide.

Barnsley were looking frustrated in the closing moments of the half. Butterfield tried one from 30 yards but his effort cannoned away off Macken and wide of the post.

Coventry almost did the Reds a massive favour on 44 minutes when Stephen Wright stooped to get his head to Hammill's cross and the defender was only a foot from putting the ball past his own keeper.

City were on the front foot right from the start of the second half as Aaron Gunnarsson broke through midfield and was given acres to run into a shoot but his low drive flew wide of the mark. Gunnarsson was again the City dangerman on 53 minutes as he broke down the right hand side before fizzing the ball into the near post but Foster was in the right place to deny Morrison. The wind was playing havoc every time the ball was airborne and Steele was almost caught out on the hour as he let it slip from his grasp but Morrison could not pounce.

Rob Kozluk picked up the first caution of the afternoon on 57 minutes as he lunged through Wright after another Reds foray into the Coventry half came to nothing. Kozluk let himself and the Reds down just two minutes later with a needless lunging challenge on Gunnarsson. The referee defiantly did not need a second invitation to branding another yellow and a red to the full back.

The dismissal finally kick started the Reds and Butterfield drove one a foot wide of the post from 30 yards on 62 minutes before the youngster's cross three minutes later gave Moore a great chance but the big defender just could not get his head to the ball on the penalty spot.

Coventry crafted another clear chance on 67 minutes and once more it was a contender for miss of the season as Gunnarsson raced onto Morrison's flick and through on goal only to volley well, well wide of the mark.

It was all going for Coventry as Westwood clearly gathered Steele's long punt outside his area on 75 minutes under pressure from Iain Hume although the referee was 50 yards away and not in a position to see. Best then brought a smart save from Steele seconds later with a low drive from the edge of the box.

Butterfield picked up a caution on 79 minutes after scything down Osbourne as the Reds frustrations grew. McIndoe could have sealed it a minute later as he found himself in acres of space in the area but blazed high over the bar.

Barnsley had created nothing of note to trouble Westwood although Odejayi managed to get his head to Bobby Hassell's free kick on 81 minutes but the ball bounced harmlessly through to the Sky Blues stopper.

Coventry finally made what had been a routine win safe on 82 minutes as the Sky Blues and Osbourne cut through the Reds defence to give Morrison a simple finish from 12 yards.

Barnsley should have had a penalty on 86 minutes as Jermaine Grandison pulled, pulled and hauled Anderson to the ground as the Brazilian went for Hume's free kick. The referee was stood just five yards away and watching the entire incident but inexplicably gave nothing. At the other end Sean Jeffers found himself clean through on goal moments later but was denied by Steele's fine stop.

Barnsley's one clear chance of the game came deep in stoppage time when Hume's free kick beat everybody and Foster came steaming in but the Reds' skipper was denied by Westwood.

BARNSLEY: Steele, Hassell, Foster, Moore, Kozluk, Campbell-Ryce, Anderson, Butterfield (Sodje 80), Hammill, Macken (Hume 68), Bogdanovic (Odejayi 68).
Subs: Preece, Devaney, Potter, El Haimour.

COVENTRY CITY: Westwood, Wright, Van-Aanholt, Craine (Grandison 72), Turner, Osbourne, Clingan, McIndoe, Gunnarsson, Morrison, Best (Jeffers 80).
Subs: Clarke, Quirke, Caine, Walker, Cameron.

by **NIGHTMARE** Mon 7 Sep - 22:36:11

BARNSLEY 0 PRESTON NORTH END 3 (Parry 11, Mellor 33, Parkin 73)

BARNSLEY were handed a lesson in clinical finishing as North End made their clear chances count to beat the Reds at Oakwell.

There was a major shock when the teams were announced an hour before kick off and Iain Hume was named in the starting eleven. It was a big moment for the striker, who almost died last November following an elbow by Sheffield United's Chris Morgan. Hume partnered Kayode Odejayi in a new-look Barnsley attack while Luke Potter replaces suspended full back Rob Kozluk in defence.

North End had former Reds youngster Jon Parkin in attack as they looked to build on two successive draws in their opening league fixtures. Parkin made an instant impact on proceedings inside the first minute as he tumbled over Anderson's outstretched leg to earn his side a free kick on the edge of the box. Ross Wallace curled the free kick into the area but Bobby Hassell was in the right place to clear.

Barnsley set the early tempo and had Oakwell rocking on six minutes as Hassell's fine cross gave Odejayi something to attack in the air and the big striker powered a header goalward that Andy Lonergan did wonderfully well to parry away. From Hume's corner Stephen Foster then went close again with a header from 12 yards that fizzed over the top.

Jacob Butterfield's early over exuberance earned the youngster a booking on nine minutes as he clattered through Darren Carter in the middle of the park. It was probably a little harsh. Velice Shumulikoski crashed one into Darren Moore a minute later as Barnsley struggled to clear the free kick.

Barnsley's bright start was abruptly ended on eleven minutes when Potter's slip gave Paul Parry the chance to race through on goal down the right and the Welshman found an outstanding finish to bury the ball past Luke Steele and into the far top corner.

Barnsley responded with Odejayi sending Hume away down the right channel on 14 minutes. The striker did very well to dig out a fine cross but Lonergan dove full-length to claw the ball away with Adam Hammill waiting to pounce at the back stick.

Jamal Campbell-Ryce then had Preston scrambling just moments later as his cross from the right made its way to Butterfield at the back post but the youngster was denied a goal by Billy Jones' fine block.

Hammill had North End at sixes and sevens defensively again on 21 minutes a she whipped the ball in from the left flank to give Hume a chance but Liam Chilvers managed to scramble clear at the near post. Hume curled the corner into the danger area to give Moore a chance but the veteran could only head over the bar under pressure.

A double-team by Callum Davidson and Chilvers on Odejayi gave the Reds another chance to put North End under pressure on 24 minutes. Hume's free kick was dangerous but Odejayi could not put his header on target.

North End could have easily been reduced to ten men moments later when Odejayi nicked the ball around Chilvers and through on goal only for the Preston defender to stick out a hand and punch the it away. The referee brandished a yellow card when it could have been more.

At the other end Moore slammed the door shut on Neil Mellor on 26 minutes with an great sliding tackle to stop the striker going clean through on Steele.

Lonergan infuriated the home crowed with more timewasting in a first half than had been seen at Oakwell in a long time. The North End keeper was seemingly on a go-slow every time he had the chance to restart play.

North End had the chance to put the Reds goal under pressure again on 33 minutes after Carter had won a very soft free kick on half way by running into and tripping over Moore. There was controversy in the Reds area moments later when Jones' header fell to Mellor, who looked an absolute mile offside, and the striker finished well from 12 yards.

North End got away with it in their own area on 35 minutes when Chilvers dragged Odejayi to the ground as the striker went for Butterfield's pass. The referee gave North End the free kick after Odejayi had fell on the ball.

Lonergan was finally booked for his repeated timewasting on 36 minutes after taking an age to clear a free kick deep in his own area. Odejayi also picked up a caution deep in stoppage time after North End had the benefit of another soft free kick decision.

Barnsley started the second half with purpose and could have been right back in the game on 48 minutes when Shumulikoski upended Odejayi right on the edge of the box. Hume's free kick was a peach and Moore was in the right place to get his header goalward but Lonergan did magnificently well to save. Davidson managed to hack the ball clear as the Reds looked to pounce inside the six yard box.

Potter followed Butterfield into the book on 53 minutes as he was judged to have handled as Parry looked to break clear down the right wing.

North End got away with it again just moments later when Hassell's free kick was nodded on by Moore and Foster found his path to a free header impeded by Sean St Ledger. Again the referee gave nothing. At the other end Parry should have been booked on 56 minutes for a dive over Potter's challenge in the area.

Anderson almost lit up Oakwell on 57 minutes as he checked inside his marker on the edge of the box to shoot but Lonergan was in fine form to tip the ball around the post.

The tempo and urgency was there from the Reds but the home side were lacking one moment of real quality in the final third to unlock Preston and get a deserved foothold back in the game. Butterfield's wild drive from 30 yards on 59 minutes summed up Barnsley's evening.

Barnsley went close again on 63 minutes when Hammill's great cross beat the North End defence to give Odejayi a chance but the striker was denied by Lonergan's save. From Hume's corner substitute Daniel Bogdanovic almost made an immediate impact when he cracked one in from 12 yards but Davidson was in the right place to block the ball away.

The chances just kept on coming from Barnsley and Hume's free kick on 65 minutes gave Moore another free header on 12 yards but the defender glanced his effort off a defender and away for a corner.

Barnsley were almost caught out seconds later as Preston broke their shackles quickly and Wallace found himself clean through on Steele. The winger took way too much time and Hassell was able to nip in and clear.

Hume again found the right delivery on 69 minutes first from a corner that North End only just managed to clear and then with his resulting centre that both Odejayi and Moore had a snap at before the visitors hacked it away.

Preston made the game safe on 72 minutes when Jones' cross found Oakwell old boy Parkin lurking at the back post and the big striker saw his shot take a wicked deflection before looping past Steele.

Lonergan was forced into action two minutes later as Bogdanovic looked to pull one back for the Reds before Odejayi broke through North End on 76 minutes but was denied a clear strike by Davidson's sliding challenge.

Substitute Chris Sedgwick could have made it four on 77 minutes as he raced past Potter and into the area but the ex-Rotherham man was denied by Steele's low save.

The Reds just could not make their clear chances count. Jon Macken finally beat Lonergan on 78 minutes with a low drive that fizzed across goal but Odejayi could not reach far enough to prod home as he slid in. Macken combined with Odejayi again a minute later but this time the striker could only loop his header into Lonergan's arms.

Macken put Odejayi clean through on 80 minutes although his pass always left the Nigerian with a lot to do. Odejayi did manage to beat Lonergan to the ball but his effort looped wide of the mark.

Barnsley's frustrations boiled over again on 87 minutes when Anderson picked up a booking for clattering Wallace after losing his cool when Davidson's foul had gone unpunished. North End almost had a fourth seconds later as Stephen Elliott's shot cannoned off Foster and looped just wide of the post.

Another clear opportunity came and went on 89 minutes when Anderson found a yard of space to get a free header onto Bogdanovic's corner but the Brazilian put his effort high over from eight yards. North End again almost had a fourth on the counter deep into stoppage time when sub Chris Brown let fly but Steele was able to turn the ball around the post.

BARNSLEY: Steele, Hassell, Foster, Moore, Potter, Campbell-Ryce, Anderson, Butterfield (Devaney 80), Hammill (Bogdanovic 63), Odejayi, Hume (Macken 70).
Subs: Preece, Sodje, El Haimour, Noble-Lazarus.

PRESTON NORTH END: Lonergan, Davidson, Shumulikoski, Carter, St Ledger, Parry (Sedgwick 73), Jones, Wallace, Parkin (Brown 80), Mellor (Elliott 83).
Subs: Nicholson, Trotman, Henderson.

by **NIGHTMARE** Mon 7 Sep - 22:37:12

LEICESTER CITY 1 (Fryatt 54) BARNSLEY 0

BARNSLEY worked hard and had as much of the play as Leicester City but the Reds again found their touch in front of goal missing after an ultimately disappointing afternoon at the Walkers Stadium.

Reds manager Simon Davey responded to two defeats by ringing the changes at Leicester City. There were debuts for Emil Hallfredsson and Andy Gray while Martin Devaney and Mounir El Haimour also came into the side. Out went Luke Potter, Adam Hammill, Jacob Butterfield and Kayode Odejayi. Striker Iain Hume received a rapturous reception from the Leicester City faithful on his return to the Walkers Stadium.

The Reds had the better of the opening six minutes as the home side struggled to get a foothold in Barnsley's 4-5-1 formation. Despite putting Leicester on the back foot it was the Foxes who went closest to a goal on seven minutes when full back Robbie Neilson got his head onto Lloyd Dyer's cross but Luke Steele was in the right place to make a simple save.

Good link up play between El Haimour and Gray almost created an opening for Jamal Campbell-Ryce on eleven minutes but Leicester were quick to snuff out the danger in their own area. Campbell-Ryce and Anderson then both tested their shooting boots on 12 minutes but neither got close to Chris Weale's goal.

City had the chance to test Steele again on 14 minutes after Neilson had thrown himself over El Haimour's lunging tackle. The free kick came to nothing although Dany N'Guessan lashed one high over the bar from distance as City came again.

Barnsley stoked up the pressure and Brown had to do well on 17 minutes to head Hume's free kick away from Stephen Foster at the back stick. Hume provided another great delivery from the corner and this time the Reds skipper had his head in his hands as his effort flew over the bar from ten yards out.

Leicester almost snatched the lead on 20 minutes after a string of suspect defensive decisions eventually allowed Dyer to cut in from the left wing and shoot. His low drive flew just wide of the far post.

The Reds were forced into an unwanted change on 23 minutes when Bobby Hassell limped out of the action with a hamstring problem. Rob Kozluk came into the action at right back.

Weale had to make his first stop of the afternoon just seconds later when Anderson cut in and let fly but his effort was straight at the ex-Bristol City keeper. Weale had to work again on 27 minutes when El Haimour let fly with a speculative effort from 35 yards but again it was straight at the Leicester number one.

Devaney almost snatched the lead on 33 minutes as he ran at the Leicester City defence before drilling in a fine drive that Weale did very well to parry away.

At the other end Barnsley were caught horribly square two minutes later as Richie Wellens' pass sent Matty Fryatt clean through on goal but the striker fluffed his chance and could only volley weakly at Steele.

Leicester went close on 44 minutes as Fryatt pounced onto Neilson's cross in the area but could not beat Steele from a tight angle.

Leicester were on the front foot from the start of the second half. Dyer flashed a cross in front of Steele on 46 minuets before Fryatt raced into the area and almost through on goal seconds later but Foster was in the right place to make a strong challenge.

Fryatt was almost in on goal again on 48 minutes as he barged past Moore to race clear only to be denied by a harsh free kick.

Barnsley responded with Hallfredsson putting his boot through the ball on 50 minutes but his 40-yarder was always rising and flew a foot or so over the bar.

Steele had to be at his very, very best on 53 minutes to claw away Neilson's goabound header. Barnsley were caught out on when the ball dropped to Fryatt but Anderson put his body on the line with an outstanding block.

The Leicester tidal wave got its rewards just a minute later when Wellens' cross found its way to Fryatt in the area and the striker was free to smash it past Steele from six yards.

Leicester almost grabbed a second on 58 minutes when N'Guessan's header looped into the area although Gallagher did a fine wrestling job on Steele to allow Fryatt the chance to volley wide.

Gallagher turned provider on the hour mark as his deep corner gave Jack Hobbs the chance to get his head to the ball but his effort hit the sidenetting.

Barnsley finally found their feet moments later as Anderson's pass put Devaney in the clear but the winger found his shot well blocked. Anderson and Devaney both had opportunities to shoot in the scramble that followed.

Barnsley were half a foot away from being level on 63 minutes as Campbell-Ryce twisted and turned the City defence before dragging his cross agonisingly in front of Gray.

The Reds went even closer just moments later as Hallfredsson's run smashed the heart of the Leicester midfield. The Icelander's pass put Campbell-Ryce through and this time the winger found Gray, who could only shoot at Weale from 12 yards. Hume lashed the rebound over the bar but an offside flag would have denied the Reds anyway.

Kozluk then tried his best to drag his side level on 67 minutes as he cut in from the right and past a couple of challenges before hitting a shot high over the bar.

Gallagher could have made the game safe for Leicester on 69 minutes as he turned well in the area and powered a shot goalward but Steele was well placed to palm the ball over the top. Steele then had a very worrying moment when he let N'Guessan's powerful cross slip through his grasp but Moore was able to clear. Steele redeemed himself seconds later to save from Nicky Adams.

Barnsley had a massive shout for a penalty waved away on 77 minutes as Campbell-Ryce's shot smacked into N'Guessan's arms in the area. The referee gave nothing. The Reds just don't get decisions like that.

The Reds went close again on 79 minutes as Kozluk cut in past his marker but tried to chip Weale from the edge of the box and his left-footer dropped over the bar.

LEICESTER CITY: Weale, Neilson, Brown, Oakley, Dyer (Adams 65), Fryatt (Dickov 87), Berner, N'Guessan, Wellens, Gallagher (King 81), Hobbs.
Subs: Morrison, Tunchev, Gradel, Logan.

BARNSLEY: Steele, Hassell (Kozluk 22), Foster, Moore, El Haimour, Devaney (Hammill 73), Hallfredsson, Anderson, Campbell-Ryce, Hume (Macken 73), Gray.
Subs: Preece, Odejayi, Butterfield, Potter.

by **NIGHTMARE** Mon 7 Sep - 22:37:51

BARNSLEY 1 (Gray 12) READING 3 (Pearce 30; Hunt 53 P, 55)

AN absolute shocker of a penalty decision rocked the Reds at Oakwell and Reading took full advantage to run out winners as the home side endured two nightmare minutes.

Reds boss Simon Davey made two changes to the side that beat Reading in midweek with Andy Gray replacing Kayode Odejayi in attack while Darren Moore returned at the expense of injured youngster Luke Potter. It was Gray's Oakwell debut while fellow new recruit O'Neil Thompson was named on the bench. Reading made a host of changes and were virtually unrecognisable from the side that lined up against Barnsley on Tuesday night.

There was a lightening start to the game with the Reds straight on the front foot. Emil Hallfredsson did well in the first minute to give Daniel Bogdanovic half a chance in the area but the striker's shot was well blocked away.

Rob Kozluk then caused problems for Reading just a minute later with a long throw from the right that the Royals struggled to clear. Jamal Campbell-Ryce volleyed a foot or so wide of the post as the ball dropped on the edge of the box.

Reading were again at sixes and sevens on eight minutes as Kozluk's deep free kick dropped in the area. Jon Macken lashed one into the crowd but the assistants' flag was up before Gray and Stephen Foster could pounce. Another long Kozluk throw had Reading struggling again on nine minutes and the ball eventually fell to Gray but Adam Federici was down quickly to make a fine save and deny the striker a goal.

Great play by Macken and Gray opened Reading wide open again seconds later but Bogdanovic could not get a decent touch on the ball on the six yard line. Barnsley were in front from Hugo Colace's corner as the ball flew across goal and Gray was in the right place at the right time to power a header past Federici and into the far corner.

It was almost two within a couple of minutes as Campbell-Ryce whipped a cross in from the right which Alex Pearce could only hack out. Colace met the ball purposefully but Pearce was in the right place to block the shot away.

Gray almost grabbed a second goal on 23 minutes as he charged down Federici's kick from Pearce's backpass. The ball smacked into Gray and bounced back but agonisingly a foot wide of the post.

Luke Steele finally had some work to do a minute later as he raced from his goal to smother the ball at the feet of Jimmy Kebe. Steele then could only watch on 28 minutes as Hal Robson-Kanu's cross deflected off Kozluk but dropped a foot or so over the bar.

Reading's first real attempt on goal came on 29 minutes when Gylfi Sigurdsson smashed a free kick from 30 yards that Steele did well to deal with. There was chaos in the Reds area moments later as Steele and Colace failed to deal with the corner and the ball dropped to Pearce, who smacked it into the top corner from ten yards out.

Kebe, who was sent off in the same fixture last season, should have been booked on 33 minutes after scything through Mounir El Haimour. Gunnarsson smacked one high over a minute later as the Reds suddenly looked nervous although they found their feet again on 35 minutes as Campbell-Ryce faced up the last defender down the right before driving goalward but he could not find a finish to match his strong running.

Another Sigurdsson corner caught in the wind and caught the Reds out on 36 minutes but Mills could only spoon his shot against a defender and through to Steele.

Reading should have been in front on 38 minutes as the impressive Sigurdsson sent Jem Karacan clean through on goal but the young Turks' finish was woeful when faced by Steele and shot well, well wide. Liam Rosenior then drilled a cross-come-shot in front of Steele on 39 minutes as Reading pushed on again.

Referee Michael Oliver caused controversy on 53 minutes when Gunnarsson's long ball dropped in the area. Steele came out and gathered the ball at the feet of Kebe, who's momentum carried him over. There was no appeal from Kebe or any Reading player yet referee Oliver shockingly gave a penalty. There was no booking for Steele and Hunt smashed the penalty into the roof of the net. It was an appalling decision.

Barnsley were still reeling from a shocking penalty decision and soon found themselves further behind when Kebe swung a fine cross in from the right just a minute later and Hunt was on hand to glance the ball home.

It could have been even worse for the Reds on the hour mark as Sigurdsson swung in a dangerous corner from the right and the Barnsley defence stood and watched as Pearce rose to head just over the bar.

It took a while but the Reds finally found some composure and began to claw Reading back. El Haimour did his best to tee up Gray on 63 minutes but the striker was denied a clear header on goal by Pearce. Barnsley were still ragged and were almost caught out at the back on 65 minutes when Sigurdsson let fly but Steele was quickly down to save.

It was just not going the Reds way at all and Steele's long kick on 70 minutes gave Macken a great chance in the area but Rosenior threw himself into a goal-saving challenge to block the striker's shot. It got even worse on 73 minutes as Kozluk's long free kick somehow evaded Gray, Macken and Iain Hume in the area before bouncing through to Federici.

Hume then won his side a free kick a minute later after tangling with Mills right on the edge of the box. Colace took it and was only a foot away from finding the top corner.

Michail Antonio almost had a fourth for Reading on 79 minutes as he raced towards a poor Darren Moore backpass but Steele was quickly out to clear the danger. Antonio then had Barnsley under pressure with a long throw moments later that Hunt did well to glance on but again Steele was able to gather.

BARNSLEY: Steele, Kozluk, El Haimour, Foster, Moore, Campbell-Ryce, Hallfredsson, Colace (Odejayi 81), Bogdanovic (Hume 66), Macken (Hammill 75), Gray.
Subs: Preece, Anderson, Devaney, Thompson.

READING: Federici, Rosenior, Mills, Gunnarsson, Hunt (Long 83), Kebe (Antonio 73), Robson-Kanu (Rasiak 66), Karacan, Bertrand, Sigurdsson, Pearce.
Subs: Cisse, Tabb, Kelly, Hamer.

by **NIGHTMARE** Mon 14 Sep - 7:10:10

WATFORD 1 (Graham 54) BARNSLEY 0

A SPIRITED Barnsley battled hard but their old failings in both penalty areas came back to haunt them as Mark Robins' first game ended in defeat.

There was a new look on the bench as manager Robins selected his first ever Reds side and made five changes to the one beaten by Reading last time out. There were debuts for David Preece and O'Neil Thompson while Bobby Hassell, Anderson de Silva and Martin Devaney also came into the side. Out went Luke Steele, Daniel Bogdanovic, Mounir El Haimour, Hugo Colace and Jon Macken as Barnsley looked to preserve an unbeaten record against Watford stretching back to November 2001 and end their worst opening run to a new season in 18 years at Vicarage Road today.

Watford looked lively in the opening exchanges with Tom Cleverley testing his shooting boots inside the first two minutes. His effort was never going to trouble Preece. A quick free kick three minutes later almost caught the Reds napping and gave Danny Graham a great chance but Preece was quickly down to make a routine save.

Barnsley were moving the ball quicker but a misplaced pass in midfield gave Watford the chance to break on nine minutes and a flowing Hornets move ended with Henri Lansbury lashing one high over the bar from 25 yards. At the other end Devaney saw a curling effort smack against a defender and bounce away.

Watford almost grabbed the opener on 17 minutes when Don Cowie broke well down the right and swung a dangerous cross in front of Preece but Hassell was in the right place at the right time to clear before Graham could pounce.

It took 25 minutes but the Reds finally settled and pressed Watford back. The Hornets' were rattled and Ross Jenkins' foul on Emil Hallfredsson gave the Reds a great chance 22 yards out. Anderson smacked the free kick into the wall. The Brazilian did well to take on the rebound but again saw his shot well blocked away.

Enough was enough for Robins and the new Barnsley manager wasted no time in changing things around and replaced Thompson with Kayode Odejayi to go to a 4-4-2.

Watford were still looking lively and John Eustace nodded well wide on 35 minutes as he stole a yard at the back post to meet a deep free kick.

Adrian Mariappa was done all ends up by Jamal Campbell-Ryce on 37 minutes and somehow escaped a yellow card after scything through the winger right on the edge of the box. Watford got away with it as Campbell-Ryce's free kick evaded everybody.

Referee Dave Phillips found his yellow card though two minutes later to flash at Anderson after the Brazilian kicked the ball away. Devaney was then booked seconds later for preventing a quick free kick.

Barnsley's first real sight of goal came on 43 minutes when Campbell-Ryce's cross was only half cleared and Hallfredsson drilled a low shot goalward although the ball clipped a defender and flew wide of the target. Watford were given a goal kick.

A trip by Anderson on Lansbury right on the edge of the area gave the Reds a nervous moment in stoppage time. Thankfully Watford were far too clever for themselves and nothing came of the free kick.

The Reds were on the front foot from the start of the second half and Hassell's deep cross gave Odejayi a chance on 48 minutes but the striker was under pressure and could not direct his header on target.

Barnsley should have had a penalty moments later as Odejayi was pulled all over the park and eventually to the ground as he challenged with Mariappa for Devaney's cross. Mariappa was the wrong side of Odejayi and it could have easily been a spot kick. The referee gave nothing and Campbell-Ryce could not put the loose ball on target and took a clattering after the ball had gone for his troubles. Hammill replaced him.

Watford benefitted from yet another soft free kick on 54 minutes but the Reds really had only themselves to blame as the home side snatched the lead. Cowie's free kick picked out an unmarked Eustace at the back post and Graham was able to scramble his knockdown over the line from five yards out.

It should have been two just moments later as Graham managed to sneak past Stephen Foster and through on goal but Preece pulled off a magnificent diving save to parry away the striker's shot.

Barnsley finally found their feet again on the hour mark when Kozluk volleyed one in from 30 yards but Scott Loach was able to gather the ball at the second attempt.

Watford got away without a yellow card once more on 61 minutes as Adam Hammill looked to break clear on the counter only to be hacked at by Cleverley. Again referee Phillips kept his cards in his pocket.

Cleverley almost made it two on 72 minutes as he let fly from 30 yards and had Preece flying across his goal but the ball flew inches wide of the post. At the other end Loach had to save again on 74 minutes after Devaney got a touch to Hammill's corner.

Robins made another change on 78 minutes as he shuffled his pack again with Odejayi - surprisingly - making way for Iain Hume. The change almost kick started the Reds as Hammill let one fly from the edge of the area seconds later but his effort flew high over the bar.

Barnsley were suddenly rampant as Hammill and Hume put Watford to the sword. Hammill created an opening on 86 minutes as his run gave Andy Gray a chance but the Hornets managed to smother the danger away. Seconds later Hassell's header caused chaos in the Watford area but Foster could not put the ball in at the back post under pressure. Darren Moore's flick on 87 minutes then gave Anderson a chance but again there was a Watford body in the way inside the area.

Watford almost hit on the break on 89 minutes as Jenkins let fly from the edge of the box but Preece managed to get down to save. At the other end Devaney's cross put Hume in at the back post but the striker was never going to trouble Loach from such a tight angle.

Nathan Ellington almost grabbed a second, which would have been tough on debutant Preece, when his cross-shot from the left drifted over the Reds keeper and smacked the bar.

WATFORD: Loach, Mariappa, Lansbury (Harley 86), Cowie, Graham, Doyley, Jenkins, Bennett, Cleverley (Ellington 90), Eustace, Hodson.
Subs: Lee, Hoskins, Bryan, Sordell, Oshodi.

BARNSLEY: Preece, Hassell, Foster, Moore, Kozluk, Thompson (Odejayi 28 (Hume 78)), Campbell-Ryce (Hammill 53), Anderson, Hallfredsson, Devaney, Gray.
Subs: Ruslin, Colace, Macken, El Haimour.

Attendance - 12,613
Away Attendance - 623

by **NIGHTMARE** Thu 17 Sep - 2:56:56

DERBY COUNTY 2 (Hulse 26, Barker 90)
BARNSLEY 3 (Hammill 36, Gray 57, Anderson 90)

BARNSLEY put an end to their early season disappointments with a fine win at Pride Park.

He might have only been in the job for less than a week but Mark Robins wasted no time in shaking things up after speaking of his disappointment in the wake of Saturday's defeat at Watford. Out went O'Neil Thompson, Martin Devaney, Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Anderson de Silva while Hugo Colace, Jacob Butterfield, Iain Hume and Hammill were given the opportunity to earn a shirt at Pride Park. There was no place in the 18 for striker Kayode Odejayi or Mounir El Haimour.

Derby had former Reds loanee Gary Teale in their starting eleven while Barnsley defender Darren Moore made a return to Pride Park after winning the Rams Player of the Year award during their brief spell in the Premier League a couple of seasons ago.

Barnsley were on the front foot from the first kick and Hume brought an early save from Stephen Bywater in the first minute although the referee had already pulled the play back for a foul. Hammill then did well to cross on three minutes and almost caught out the Derby defence but Hume saw his first time shot well blocked away and through to Bywater.

It was fast, frantic and just the sort of game where the Reds really had to step up to the plate and show their commitment and desire. There was a little too much of both from Colace on 12 minutes as he hauled back Lee Croft on the right hand touchline to earn a booking.

Barnsley were almost caught out just seconds later as Kris Commons and Teale combined to give Rob Hulse half a chance in the area but Stephen Foster was in the right place to make a good block. Dean Moxey then almost had Pride Park on its feet on 18 minutes as he let fly from 30 yards but his volley flew a few feet wide of the post.

Robbie Savage then picked up a yellow card on 23 minutes after throwing himself to the floor over Colace's challenge in the middle of the park.

Barnsley were undone on 25 minutes through a goal of real quality. There was nothing the Reds could have done about it after Croft's cross arrowed in from the right wing and onto the head of Hulse, who powered his effort past Preece and into the back of the net.

The Reds had a great chance to get back on level terms inside six minutes when Shaun Barker was - rather harshly - adjudged to have fouled Andy Gray right on the edge of the box. Hume got his free kick around the wall but did not curl the ball back enough to trouble the goal.

It really should have been two on 33 minutes when Croft again found acres of space down the Derby right to cross and put the ball on a plate for Hulse six yards out but the striker completely missed his free header and the chance went begging.

Barnsley were right back in it on 36 minutes through a moment of magic by Hammill. The ex-Liverpool winger picked the ball up on the left wing, cut inside and curled a fantastic shot past Bywater's outstretched arm and right into the top corner.

It was a goal the Reds badly needed and Colace tried to find a second just moments later as he let fly from 30 yards but the Argentine midfielder dragged his shot wide.

County were almost back in front on 48 minutes as Hulse managed to get in behind the Barnsley defence to slide the ball across goal but Bobby Hassell was in the right place to prevent Jake Livermore from tapping in at the back stick. Commons also went close two minutes later with a deflected free kick that flew inches wide of the post. Commons was again the architect for Derby on 50 minutes as his corner gave Barker a chance but the big defender headed wide under pressure.

Barnsley had the benefit of a debateable refereeing decision, for a change, on 57 minutes when emil Hallfredsson's pass put Gray in on goal. It looked close but the striker did not need a second invitation to beat Bywater with a fine finish.

County felt aggrieved and almost levelled things on the hour mark when Commons' cross fell nicely for Hulse in the area but Foster was well-placed to smother the ball clear. At the other end Hallfredsson lashed one well, well wide on 61 minutes.

Preece finally had a save to make on 62 minutes as Teale's cross dropped to Barker in the area but the Reds keeper was alert enough to smother the ball. Croft then picked up a caution seconds later for a crude challenge on Kozluk on the touchline. Kozluk was then booked himself on 65 minutes after kicking the ball away - although the game could have done without Savage chasing other to the official to remonstrate for a caution.

A howler by Bywater put the Reds on the front foot again on 77 minutes but Colace could not find a finish from 30 yards with Derby floundering.

Hallfredsson's game ended in agony on 83 minutes after he was caught by a poor challenge by Commons' which went unpunished by the referee. The Icelandic midfielder left the pitch on a stretcher to be replaced by Anderson.

Preece gathered the ball off the foot of Paul Dickov on 84 minutes and got a whack for his troubles as Derby threw everything at the Reds in the closing moments. Livermore then flashed one high over the bar on 87 minutes.

Even the officials seemed to have everything against the Reds holding on for a priceless win as the fourth official indicated an outrageous eight minutes of stoppage time.

It was the Reds who were celebrating moments later as a brilliant piece of vision and skill on the byline by Gray sent Anderson clean through on goal and the Brazilian was coolness personified in beating Bywater to roll the ball into the net.

There were some last minute nerves as Barker rose highest to meet Commons' corner to cut the deficit and trigger some tense faces on the Reds bench.

DERBY COUNTY: Bywater, Connolly, Addison, Croft (Pearson 83), Savage, Hulse (Dickov 67), Commons, Teale, Barker, Moxey, Livermore.
Subs: Deeney, McEverley, Leacock, Pringle, Hendrie.

BARNSLEY: Preece, Hassell, Foster, Moore, Kozluk, Hammill, Colace, Butterfield, Hallfredsson (Anderson 83), Hume (Macken 60), Gray.
Subs: Rusling, Devaney, Coulson, Heslop, Thompson.

Referee
Nigel Miller (County Durham)
Assistant Referees
Gary Hilton (Lancashire) and Stephen Martin (Staffordshire)
Fourth Official
James Adcock (Nottinghamshire)

Attendance - 27,609
Away Attendance - 748

by **NIGHTMARE** Tue 22 Sep - 15:37:15

BARNSLEY 0 SWANSEA CITY 0

MARK Robins' fledgling Barnsley revival is all about building blocks and a point against Swansea City at Oakwell was just another step in the right direction.

Reds manager Robins made his bow at Oakwell on the back of a fine victory against Derby County in midweek. The win at Pride Park came at a cost though as Emil Hallfredsson and Bobby Hassell missed today's clash with Swansea City due to injury. In came new arrival Julian Gray and Anderson de Silva. New boy Nathan Doyle was on the bench.

Swansea made three changes, including a recall for ex-Reds defender and Swans skipper Garry Monk.

New boss Robins received a rapturous reception from the Oakwell faithful prior to kick off as he led his side into action at home for the first time buoyed by Tuesday's success.

There were worrying moments early on as Angel Rangel swung in a dangerous free kick from the right hand touchline that glanced off Darren Moore and a foot or so wide of the far post. A miss-placed pass by Jacob Butterfield gave Mark Gower a great chance on 12 minutes but the Swansea midfielder hammered his shot high over the bar with only David Preece to beat.

At the other end Moore glanced Iain Hume's corner wide of the target under pressure a minute later as the Reds threatened the Swans goal. Swansea cut through the Reds on 14 minutes as Andrea Orlandi's vision sent Gorka Pintado clear but Preece was quickly off his line to make a very smart save.

Hume was left bloodied and extremely angry after clashing with Ashley Williams' on 16 minutes. Referee Rob Shoebridge - amazingly - gave the free kick the other way as Hume left the field for stitches in a nasty looking eye wound following a collision with Williams' elbow. Shoebridge's claim to fame as a referee came earlier this season when he failed to give that Crystal Palace goal at Bristol City.

Barnsley were down to ten and should have gone in front on 18 minutes when Rob Kozluk's cross found Stephen Foster in the area but the Reds' skipper swung and missed the ball from 12 yards. Hammill then picked up a booking moments for a trip on Rangel.

Stitched up, Hume returned to the field a couple of minutes later. Hume was in the thick of it on 21 minutes as his corner caused chaos in the Swans area but Hammill just could not get his head onto the ball to turn it into the net.

The home support were riled by a string of debatable decisions, not least when Butterfield and Hugo Colace dispossessed Leon Britton deep in the Swans half as the Reds pressed on. From the free kick Pintado smashed one high over the bar as he burst towards the area.

The officials were in the spotlight again on 26 minutes as Foster crashed to the ground under Pintado's challenge as the pair went for Butterfield's cross. The referee, probably rightly gave nothing. Barnsley were in behind Swansea moments later as Andy Gray burst clear but the striker was denied a goal by Monk's outstanding challenge.

Britton was on the end of a flowing Swansea passing move on 35 minutes as the Swans knocked it around well but the midfielder saw his shot cannon off Moore and high over the bar. Barnsley were caught on the counter on 38 minutes as livewire Nathan Dyer picked the right pass to put Cedric Van der Gun through but the winger blazed well wide under pressure from Foster.

It was route one and almost one nil for Barnsley on 40 minutes as Foster's huge clearance had Swansea backpeddling. Moore rose highest to beat Dorus De Vries to the ball but his backward header dropped just wide of the post with the goal gaping.

Swansea then almost grabbed the lead a minute later when Orlandi's corner flew through the six yard box but Van der Gun could not put it in at the back post.

Barnsley were an inch away from the lead in stoppage time as Butterfield dragged a shot wide of the mark from 22 yards but neither Gray nor Hume could turn the low ball goalward inside the six-yard box.

The Reds should have been behind just three minutes after the restart when Pintado's wonderfully disguised pass put Dyer clean through on goal but Preece did magnificently well to deny the striker and smother away the follow up. Alan Tate smashed one high over the bar as the Reds struggled to get back into position.

Gower again did well on 52 minutes as his deep corner put the Reds under pressure but Monk could only head wide as he battled with Moore. Gower then showed his unsavoury side as he dove under the lightest of challenges in a bid to win a penalty. The referee rightly gave nothing although Gower received an earful from Moore for his efforts. Swansea were piling on the pressure but the Reds defence were holding firm. Orlandi snatched one high over the bar on 54 minutes.

Barnsley's big chance came on 62 minutes as Anderson found the right pass to send Hume clear down the right channel but the striker smashed his shot high over the bar with Gray screaming for a cut back on the penalty spot.

The Reds finally found their feet in the second half on 75 minutes as Hume's cross caused problems and Swansea allowed Julian Gray to break into the area but his low shot smacked into the advertising boards.

Referee Shoebridge again dumbfounded the Oakwell faithful with his decision to show a yellow card to substitute Doyle as he challenged for a dropping ball with Orlandi. Both players were equally committed but that didn't seem to matter as Doyle was punished for catching the Swansea midfielder a little late.

Shoebridge then failed to show a yellow to Dyer moments later after the Swansea star had hauled back Doyle to stop the Reds loanee racing to the ball. Hume smacked the free kick high over the bar.

Craig Beattie almost made an instant impact as a sub in the last minute of normal time as he found a yard in the area but blazed wide of the mark under pressure from Kozluk and Foster.

BARNSLEY: Preece, Kozluk, Moore, Foster, J. Gray, Anderson, Colace, Butterfield (Doyle 59), Hammill (Devaney 90), Hume, A. Gray.
Subs: Rusling, Macken, Thompson, Sodje, Heslop.

SWANSEA CITY: De Vries, Williams, Tate, Britton, Dyer, Orlandi, Monk, Pintado (Beattie 86), Rangel, Gower (Bodde 68), Van Der Gun (Butler 76).
Subs: Cornell, Trundle, Lopez, Richards.

by **NIGHTMARE** Mon 28 Sep - 8:15:05

QPR 5 (Leigertwood 8; Buzsaky 15, 39; Watson 67; Foster OG 79)
BARNSLEY 2 (Foster 50, Gray 54)

BARNSLEY made a real fight of it in the second half but let QPR off the hook after battling back from three down at the break.

Despite an impressive performance in midweek against Burnley, Reds boss Mark Robins rang the changes at Loftus Road with Nathan Doyle, Ryan Shotton, Carl Dickinson and Andy Gray all coming into the starting eleven. Julian Gray and Rob Kozluk dropped to the bench while injury kept out Darren Moore and Jon Macken.

Barnsley were on the back foot inside the first two minutes when Wayne Routledge managed to dig out a cross from the right that skipped off Stephen Foster's head and dropped nicely for Akos Buzsaky at the back post. The midfielder smashed the ball well but Shotton was in the right place to make a telling block.

The Reds responded well and Iain Hume's third minute corner caused absolute chaos in the Rangers area. The ball bounced around and eventually fell to Anderson but the Brazilian could not find the top corner and blazed high over.

Barnsley went even closer two minutes later as Anderson's first time pass sent Hume in behind the QPR defence. The striker hit his shot well but the ball just curled wide of the far post with Radek Cerny at full stretch.

QPR grabbed the lead on eight minutes but the Reds really only have themselves to blame after allowing Mikele Leigertwood to run half the length of the field and smack a low drive past David Preece from the edge of the area.

Things went from bad to worse on 15 minutes when Ben Watson picked out a fine pass to split the Reds defence wide, wide open and send Buzsaky through on goal. Buzsaky did not need a second invitation to plant a deflected shot past Preece and into the far corner.

Rangers were rampant and almost had a third on 18 minutes as again Watson picked open the new-look Barnsley defence to put Routledge through and the winger beat Preece from a tight angle only for his effort to cannon away off the foot of the far post.

Barnsley slowly found their feet and Hugo Colace saw a shot cannon away for a corner on 19 minutes after Rangers had failed to deal with Shotton's long throw.

Good play by Doyle then caught Rangers flat-footed on 23 minutes as he found Anderson on the edge of the box but the midfielder was denied a goal as Cerny dove to grab his curling effort. Butterfield then lashed a volley high over the bar moments later as the Reds enjoyed their best spell of the game in QPR territory. It was the right reaction from the visitors.

Barnsley were still looking shaky on the counter attack and good play by Rowan Vine and Jay Simpson gave Martin Rowlands the chance to shoot on 28 minutes but the ball crashed in the Colace and away. Buzsaky then hammered one a foot or so over the top from 22 yards seconds later.

The Reds finally got in behind QPR on the half hour as Jacob Butterfield never gave the ball up and ended up at the byline after Gary Borrowdale had missed his clearance. Butterfield put a goal on a plate for Andy Gray but Damion Stewart was in the right place to put the striker off and the chance went begging.

Adam Hammill then had Cerny scrambling as he curled one from 25 yards on 31 minutes but his effort just flew wide of the post.

Rangers forced to play again on 33 minutes as Watson put Barnsley under pressure from Watson's corner. Stewart saw a header deflect over the top of Preece's goal.

It was a case of one tackle, one booking for Shotton on 36 minutes as the on loan defender went in hard on Leigertwood. It was a nothing tackle but referee Karl Evans was quick to show a yellow card.

Barnsley crafted another fine chance on 38 minutes as Doyle's long ball gave Gray something to attack in the area. Gray knocked the ball down to Hume, who's quick feet found Anderson but Borrowdale appeared from nowhere to stop the Brazilian rolling a shot past Cerny.

QPR ended Barnsley's brave fight in spectacular fashion just moments later. If the Reds' defence had been at fault for the opening goals, there was nothing they could have done about Buzsaky's audacious strike from 35 yards which flew over Preece and into the top corner.

Anderson picked up a booking practically from the restart while Rowan Vine almost added a fourth on 42 minutes when he tricked his way into the area before bringing a fine one-handed save from Preece.

Barnsley started the second half with purpose after an interval rollicking from manager Robins. It was QPR though who crafted the first chance on 48 minutes as Jay Simpson turned well and shot into the sidenetting.

The Reds got a foothold back into the game just two minutes later when Hume swung over a fine free kick from the left and Foster rose highest to nod past Cerny from 12 yards out.

Hume went close again on 52 minutes as he reacted quickest after Shotton's long throw had bounced around on the penalty spot. Hume smashed his shot into a crowd of players but the ball flew clear.

Barnsley had the chance to get right back into it on 54 minutes as Hammill raced towards goal only to be checked in the area by Stewart. The referee pointed straight to the spot but Andy Gray's penalty was saved by Cerny. Thankfully the ball came back out and Gray was able to smash it into the back of the net.

Again Barnsley paid the price for the referees one foul, one booking policy as Kozluk, who had only been on the pitch a matter of moments, held off Buzsaky on half way line. Buzsaky hit the deck and Kozluk picked up a yellow card.

It was turning into a real cracker in the early autumn sunshine at Loftus Road. Simpson hit the sidenetting on the hour mark after finding a yard behind Dickinson. Buzsaky then hammered one high over the bar on 64 minutes after a lightening counter from the home side.

There was almost more drama a minute later after Hammill took on QPR single-handed before curling a shot towards the top corner that brought an outstanding one-handed save from Cerny.

Daniel Bogdanovic then managed to get in behind QPR on 66 minutes and crossed for Gray but the ball just skipped in front of the striker and a golden chance went begging.

Rangers grabbed a killer fourth goal they simply did not deserve on 68 minutes. Buzsaky did well down the left to cross and Vine knocked it down to Watson who crashed a volley goalward. Preece managed to get both hands on the ball but it agonisingly squirmed out of his grasp and across the line.

Preece had to work again on 70 minutes as he saved well from Adel Taarabt, who let fly from the edge of the box.

Rangers grabbed a fifth on 79 minutes as the Reds failed to deal with Buzsaky's right wing corner. Kaspars Gorkss nodded the ball back across the six-yard box and a combination of Foster, Stewart and Simpson turned the ball over the line.

Still the chances came for the men in red and Hammill swung over a fine free kick on 83 minutes that gave Shotton a great free header at the back post but the defender completely missed the ball and the opportunity went begging. Hammill then crossed on 88 minutes to give Colace half a chance but the midfield volleyed well wide of the mark.

It really summed up the Reds day in stoppage time when Campbell-Ryce looked to take a quick free kick only to smack the ball into Watson four yards away. The referee waved play on - rather inexplicably - and Rangers almost crafted a sixth as Rowlands burst into the area only to be halted by a combination of Foster and Preece.

QPR: Cerny, Stewart, Leigertwood, Routledge (Faurlin 68), Vine (Taarabt 68), Buzsaky, Gorkss, Rowlands, Watson, Simpson (Pellicori 79), Borrowdale.
Subs: Heaton, Ramage, Mahon, Ephraim.

BARNSLEY: Preece, Doyle, Foster, Shotton, Dickinson, Anderson, Colace, Butterfield (Kozluk 56), Hammill, Hume (Bogdanovic 59), A. Gray (Campbell-Ryce 75).
Subs: Rusling, Devaney, J. Gray, Thompson

by **NIGHTMARE** Thu 1 Oct - 5:00:40

BARNSLEY 3 (Hammill 14, Hume P 33, Martins OG 80)
WEST BROMWICH ALBION 1 (Brunt 88)

BARNSLEY manager Mark Robins demanded a performance at Oakwell and the Reds were simply better than West Brom in every department on the night. They were better in defence, better in midfield and better in attack and thoroughly deserved their 3-0 win.

Robins again proved he was not afraid to change things around as he made three changes to the side that lost at QPR. Admittedly he had no choice but the hand new signing Bartosz Bialkowski his debut in goal following an injury to David Preece but Darren Moore and Jon Macken also came back into the side with Andy Gray and Jacob Butterfield dropping to the bench.

Barnsley started the game quickly with Anderson and Nathan Doyle combining to put Macken away down the right channel inside the first two minutes. Macken did well to hold off his marker but could not fire a shot on target from a tight angle. Adam Hammill then tested his shooting boots a minute later from 30 yards but his effort flew well wide of Scott Carson's goal.
Bialkowski had his first touch of the ball on five minutes after Roman Bednar had squeezed a low shot through a crowded area but the on loan keeper was well down to smother the ball.

Anderson then had West Brom chasing shadows on eight minutes as he cut in from the right flank and beat a couple of challenges before drilling a shot past Carson. Macken was inches away from turning the ball in at the back post.

It was fast, frantic and Carl Dickinson picked up the first caution on eleven minutes with a hefty challenge on Bednar that left the West Brom striker limping. Bialkowski was given another chance to show what he was made of from Chris Brunt's free kick as he turned the ball away for a corner.

Carson was a very lucky man on 13 minutes as he appeared to grab the ball outside the area under pressure from Macken but the officials gave the ex-England keeper the benefit of doubt. They were probably right.

Barnsley were in front just two minutes later. Macken did magnificently to break to the byline and cross but it appeared as though the chance had gone after both Hume and Hugo Colace missed the ball in the area. It bounced through to Hammill and the winger showed unnerving coolness to beat Carson with a crisp low finish.

Hume's frustrating quest for a goal continued on 19 minutes as he did well to take on Macken's flick and raced past Jonas Ollson but shot straight at Carson from the edge of the area. Hume managed to get a shot away two minutes later after West Brom had struggled to deal with Colace's corner but the striker blasted the ball straight at Shelton Martins.

It was all Barnsley and Hammill again had the chance to shoot after the Reds had crowded out West Brom on 27 minutes but his curler from 25 yards was straight at Carson.

The closest West Brom came to a goal was on 39 minutes when Robert Koren's cross flicked off Bednar and past Bialkowski but Dickinson was able to smack the ball clear.

The game turned again in Barnsley's favour when Hume - who was magnificent in the opening half - tricked his way to the byline and crossed for Macken. Macken's header was goalward but was clawed away by Carson although the referee saw an infringement and pointed to the spot. Hume stepped up and planted his penalty past Carson to cue one of the loudest cheers heard at Oakwell in many seasons.

It was almost three on 35 minutes when Macken managed to get onto the end of Ryan Shotton's free kick but the striker put his effort over the bar. West Brom went close on 41 minutes as Ollson managed to get his head to Koren's corner but the ball flashed wide of the post.

It was almost three just seconds later as Hammill skipped away down the left before firing in a great low cross that Macken guided goalward only for the ball to strike a defender and bounce a foot wide of the post.

The only downside for Barnsley came on 43 minutes when Anderson limped out of the action after falling awkwardly. The Brazilian looked to have a hamstring injury and was replaced by Julian Gray.

Bialkowski had to work in stoppage time when Graham Dorrans let fly but the Pole got his angles spot on to turn the ball over the bar.

The Baggies made a bright start to the second half as they looked to get a foothold in a game that was going far away from them in the opening 45 minutes. Bednar hit one on 47 minutes that did well to parry away for a corner.

Barnsley were never going to get a second penalty although they had a big shout waved away on 53 minutes when Foster was eased off the ball as he challenged with Joe Mattock for a Shotton long throw. Substitute Gonzalo Jara then let fly from the edge of the box a minute later but found Moore in his way.

The Reds slowly found their feet and Julian Gray put one over the bar on 59 minutes after Foster had made a nuisance of himself from Shotton's deep free kick.

Bednar should have halved the deficit on 64 minutes as he rose highest unmarked to meet Gianni Zuiverloon's quickly taken corner but the striker planted his header well wide of Bialkowski's goal. There were more warning signs for Barnsley two minutes later when Chris Brunt smacked a free kick just wide of the post from 30 yards.

At the other end Macken raced in on a tiring Baggies defence on 69 minutes but saw his low drive well blocked away by Ollson. From Hume's corner Shotton then managed to get a header goalward but the ball was hacked away off the line.

Macken was always a threat and went close to a spectacular goal a minute later as he took on Hume's throw and volleyed goalward but straight at Carson.

West Brom were not finished and Bednar again almost got his name on the scoresheet on 72 minutes as he met Zuiverloon's cross at the back stick but Shotton was in the right place to block his goalbound header. From the corner Martins headed high over under pressure from Bialkowski.

Barnsley were still harrying, pushing and pressing West Brom all over the park. Their hard work paid off on 80 minutes when Hammill's dangerous cross from the right was turned past his own keeper by the hapless Martins. It was nothing more than the Reds deserved.

West Brom finally gave their 1000 or so supporters something to cheer about on 88 minutes when Brunt's 40-yarder took a wicked deflection off Doyle to wrong-foot Bialkowski and end up in the back of the net. It was harsh on the young keeper and the Reds overall and not really what the Baggies deserved.

BARNSLEY: Bialkowski, Shotton, Foster, Moore, Dickinson, Anderson (J. Gray 43), Colace, Doyle, Hammill, Macken, Hume (Campbell-Ryce 76).
Subs: Rusling, A. Gray, Kozluk, Bogdanovic, Butterfield.

WEST BROMWICH ALBION: Carson, Zuiverloon, Mattock, Ollson, Martins, Brunt, Dorrans, Molumbu (Jara 45), Koren (Reid 81), Bednar, Wood (Cox 62).
Subs: Keily, Barnett, Meite, Teixera.

by **NIGHTMARE** Sun 4 Oct - 11:51:03

BARNSLEY 2 (Hume 9, Macken 90)
IPSWICH TOWN 1 (Rosenior 45)

JON Macken won it for the Reds with an unnerving finish right at the death.

With Anderson's hamstring strain keeping the in-form Brazilian on the sidelines, Reds boss Mark Robins was forced into one change for the visit of Ipswich Town. Jamal Campbell-Ryce was back in the starting eleven while Emil Hallfredsson and Luke Steele were named on the bench after their injury lay offs. There was no place amongst the subs for striker illness victim Andy Gray while youngster Tom Rusling's wrist injury forced the Academy starlet out of the game.

Ipswich were skippered by ex-Reds loan star Jon Walters while Jon Stead, who netted twice at Oakwell last season, was amongst the subs.

With the wind playing havoc, the Reds did their best to present Ipswich with the opening goal on three minutes as Adam Hammill's careless pass gave Gareth McAuley the chance to shoot but Bartosz Bialkowski was in the right place to make a save.

Barnsley responded with Iain Hume's fourth minute corner causing problems for the Ipswich defence but the referee had blown for a free kick before the Reds could get a shot away under pressure.

It all went Barnsley's way just five minutes later as great play by Jon Macken battered an opening for Hume to find space. The striker did not need a second invitation and his outstanding low left footed drive beat Richard Wright and found the bottom corner.

Carlos Edwards tried to restore parity for Town just moments later as he wriggled away from Carl Dickinson before lashing a shot well, well wide of the target from 30 yards. Jamie Peters then tried one from 30 yards but was never going to trouble Bialkowski's goal.

The Reds looked dangerous every time they got at a shaky Ipswich defence. Ryan Shotton was next to get a shot in after cutting inside on 16 minutes but Wright was quickly down to make a very smart save.

Bialkowski had his first really worry on 19 minutes when a long hopeful ball into the area bounced awkwardly and allowed Tommy Smith the chance to challenge but the young keeper did well to punch clear under pressure.

Barnsley were in again on 27 minutes as great play down the left by Campbell-Ryce opened up Ipswich and put Hume clear on the six yard line but the striker was just crowded out of it before he could shoot. Hume the sent over a fine corner which Stephen Foster met on the penalty spot but his header smacked the bar and bounced over.

Hume was in again on 33 minutes as he reacted quickest after Campbell-Ryce's cross had deflected away from the Town back line but his low shot was never going to trouble Wright.

Walters picked a fight with the wrong Barnsley defender moments later after squaring up to Darren Moore and the Town skipper was a little lucky to escape without a caution after pushing the big centre back in the chest.

Foster then almost gifted a goal to Alan Quinn after jumping over Carlos Edwards' cross to allow the midfielder a shot but the Reds skipper recovered quickly to block the ball away.

Ipswich's first real clear opportunity of the half came on 38 minutes when Walters countered quickly and crossed from the left to give Tamas Priskin a free header eight yards out but the striker put a poor effort straight at Bialkowski.

Everything was dropping to Hume and the striker again fired close on 40 minutes as he turned well 16 yards out onto Carl Dickinson's long throw but this time his effort cleared the bar. Barnsley went close again moment later when Ipswich failed to clear Campbell-Ryce's cross and Macken lashed a first-time shot well over.

Barnsley were incensed on 42 minutes when Priskin put in a shocking studs up challenge on Bialkowski after the keeper had snatched the ball away. Priskin was rightly booked while Moore also picked up a caution for his reaction to the tackle.

A foul by Moore on Walters gave Ipswich one final chance in the half to level things. Bialkowski did wonderfully well to parry away Grant Leadbitter's piledriver but the keeper could do nothing about Liam Rosenior's header on the follow up.

Ipswich almost grabbed a second in stoppage time as Edwards volleyed one just over the bar from the edge of the box.

Priskin got away with murder on 49 minutes after poleaxing Foster on the byline after the ball had gone. The striker had already been booked in the first half but referee Phil Gibbs opted not to send him for an early shower.

Ipswich were suddenly getting every 50-50 decision. It got even more inexplicable on 53 minutes when the referee ordered Shotton off the pitch even though the defender had not received treatment for an injury. Thankfully Leadbitter's corner came to nothing.

Barnsley slowly started to find their feet and Hume's corner on 56 minutes had Ipswich scrambling. Nathan Doyle smacked a shot against a defender from the edge of the box before the referee pulled play back for an infringement.

Hume then went close to a lucky second on 58 minutes as his corner caught up in the wind and looked to be dropping in at the far post only for Peters to head clear from under his own bar.

Macken really ought to have put his side in front just two minutes later as Shotton's long throw beat everybody to drop on the six yard line but the striker could not find a finish.

If Macken's miss was poor, Edwards more than matched him in the sitter stakes just seconds later as Walters and Priskin combined to open up the Barnsley defence. Edwards was clean through on goal but shanked his shot woefully wide of the target. Walters then brought a save from Bialkowski a minute later with snapshot under pressure from the edge of the box.

Ipswich created and wasted another golden chance on 64 minutes as Walters' pass gave Liam Trotter the entire goal to aim at but the midfielder put his shot high into the Pontefract Road End.

Barnsley needed something to knock Ipswich out of their stride. On came Jacob Butterfield and Hallfredsson to shake things up in the middle of the park. The Reds had the chance to test Wright on 70 minutes when Trotter hauled back Hume 30 yards from goal. Hammill saw his free kick deflect over the bar.

Bialkowski saved well from Pablo Counago on 71 minutes to set the Reds off on the counter as the home side flooded forward. Hallfredsson took on the advantage to power forward and play Hume into the area. Hume did well and looked to break through on goal only for Leadbitter to punch the ball away. The referee pointed to the spot but Hume could not match his midweek strike and smacked the spot kick against the frame of the goal.

Ipswich almost won it in the first minute of stoppage time as Leadbitter's free kick dropped to Counago but the striker was denied by Bialkowski's outstanding save. The Reds then went close seconds later as Wright fluffed a deep Hume free kick but Shotton could not pounce inside the six yard box.

The winner came with the last kick of the game. Butterfield's deep free kick was only half cleared and Macken pounced right on the edge of the area to shoot unnervingly past Wright and into the bottom corner.

BARNSLEY: Bialkowski, Shotton, Foster, Moore, Dickinson, Campbell-Ryce (Butterfield 66), Doyle (J. Gray 84), Colace (Hallfredsson 66), Hammill, Hume, Macken.
Subs: Steele, Bogdanovic, Kozluk, Thompson.

IPSWICH TOWN: R. Wright, Rosenior, Peters, McAuley, Smith, Quinn (Martin 84), Leadbitter, Trotter, Edwards (Stead 74), Walters, Priskin (Counago 61).
Subs: Lee-Barratt, Colback, Balkestein

by **NIGHTMARE** Wed 21 Oct - 23:01:50

DONCASTER ROVERS 0 BARNSLEY 1 (Hammill 74)

AGAINST the run of play? Who cares as the Reds completed a smash and grab raid on Rovers at the Keepmoat Stadium.

It was derby day at the Keepmoat Stadium as Mark Robins brought his side to face local rivals Doncaster Rovers. Rejuvenated before the international break by victories over Burnley, West Brom and Ipswich Town, the Reds were looking to continue their fine recent form and make it three league wins on the spin against Rovers after last season's fine double success.

There were changes from that win over Ipswich Town with Luke Steele and Emil Hallfredsson coming into the starting eleven. Out went Bartosz Bialkowski, who returned to Southampton at the start of the international break, and Jamal Campbell-Ryce. The Reds were fantastically backed by more than 3,000 noisy supporters as they looked to win three on the spin for the first time since April 2007's successful fight against the drop.

Rovers injury concerned eased in the build up to the game with Dean Shiels and James Coppinger both making the game despite midweek worries.

The Reds could have been in front within two minutes when Ryan Shotton's long throw was only half cleared by the Rovers defence. Hugo Colace lobbed the ball back into the danger area for Adam Hammill to attack but the winger was denied a goal by Neil Sullivan's fine save. The ball just would not drop for Iain Hume six yards out.

At the other end Coppinger managed to break past a couple of challenges moments later but his shot struck a defender and looped through to Steele.

Hume went clear through on five minutes following a slip by Jason Shackell but his cross was hacked clear. The Reds almost snatched the opener moments later as Hallfredsson met Hume's corner but his header was blocked away. Moore smacked the rebound against a defender and away for another corner kick.

Rovers almost caught the Reds out on eight minutes as a neat interchange of passing on the edge of the box sent James Chambers to the byline. The full back did well to find Billy Sharp but Stephen Foster was in the right place to block the shot around the post.

Sharp was in again minutes later as he raced clear but the referee had long since blown for offside by the time the striker put the ball past Steele.

Jon Macken managed to flick the ball on behind Shackell again on ten minutes as he met Steele's long kick to put Hume away but this time the striker could only shoot into the sidenetting under pressure.

Doncaster's quick, intelligent passing caused the Reds problems again on 12 minutes as the ball eventually fell to James Hayter but Nathan Doyle was alert enough to make the block on the edge of the box. Hume found a yard of space in behind Doncaster yet again on 14 minutes as Carl Dickinson's low drive made its way into the area but the striker was denied by a flag as he shot at Sullivan.

Martin Woods' delivery from set pieces was causing problems and the Reds needed skipper Foster to save them on 15 minutes as Sharp let fly from six yards. The ball cannoned away for a corner off the Barnsley defender.

Shotton was caught out on 17 minutes as he let Coppinger away from him down the right. The full back had no option but to take Coppinger to the ground and picked up the first booking of the game.

Rovers almost grabbed the lead two minutes later as Gareth Roberts' cross glanced off Coppinger and looked to be heading for the far top corner before Steele somehow turned it away.

Barnsley needed to find some quality and Hammill almost provided it on 27 minutes with a wonderful first-time cross from the right that dropped for Hallfredsson in the six-yard box but Rovers managed to smother the danger away.

The Reds were being made to work extremely hard to stay in the game and Doyle picked up a caution on 35 minutes after upending Simon Gillett on half way.

Roberts should have been booked on 39 minutes after hauling back Hammill. Macken really ought to have opened the scoring from Hume's free kick as Rovers' defence went walkabout but the striker's header dropped wide of the post. Macken got in again moments later as Doncaster backline disappeared again but Shackell got back to block away.

For all Rovers decent possession and passing there were not that many really worrying moments for the Reds although Woods' shot on 44 minutes did force a smart save from Steele.

Doncaster started the second half camped in the Reds half. Hayter and Gillett were both denied in the area by some resolute Barnsley defending as the Reds struggled to keep hold of the ball and make any inroads further up the field. Although the visitors were unable to make any impression on the game, their defending was outstanding as Colace, Doyle and Darren Moore all made important blocks as the Rovers onslaught continued.

Things finally clicked for Barnsley on 52 minutes as Hammill again swung in a fine cross from the right flank that had Rovers all over the place but Hallfredsson was unable to find a finish at the back post.

Barnsley's goal led a charmed life moments later when Dean Shiels' let fly from 20 yards and Steele could only watch as the ball flew over his head but back off the underside of the bar.

Rovers went close again on 55 minutes when Coppinger's deflected shot almost dropped for Sharp in the area but Steele was quickly out to grab the ball. Steele was worried again on the hour mark as Shiels let fly from 25 yards but the ball fizzed wide of the post.

Hume turned Shackell easily on 65 minutes to open up Doncaster and put Macken through but the striker was denied by Sullivan after squeezing a low drive through a crowd of players. At the other end Woods smacked a free kick a foot or so wide of the post from 25 yards which had Steele scrambling across his goal.

Hammill then had a yard of space to attack as he raced onto Jacob Butterfield's pass moments later but his curler was straight at Sullivan.

With the Reds still smarting after another blatant foul by Rovers went unpunished by referee Graham Salisbury, Coppinger almost made them pay by curling one wide of the left hand post on 69 minutes.

It may have been against the balance of play but the thousands of Barnsley supporters did not care on 74 minutes when Hammill turned onto Hume's corner 16 yards out and leathered an unstoppable shot past Sullivan and right into the far top corner. The goal sparked delirious scenes amongst the Reds faithful.

Another Hume corner almost gave the Reds a second on 78 minutes as the ball fell to Foster at the back stick but Sullivan got his angles spot on to snatch the ball away from danger.

Andy Gray almost made the game safe on 80 minutes as he managed to the ball in front of his marker but he nodded Hammill's free kick just wide. Foster then went close with a header from Hume's corner on 81 minutes but the Barnsley skipper could not keep his effort down on target.

Anderson really should have put the game beyond Rovers on 85 minutes as he managed to get in behind the Doncaster defence but smacked his shot into the sidenetting with only Sullivan to beat.

DONCASTER ROVERS: Sullivan, Roberts (Heffernan 86), Chambers, Shackell, Hird, Shiels (Fairhurst 84), Woods, Gillett (Guy 86), Coppinger, Hayter, Sharp.
Subs: O'Connor, Spicer, G. Woods, Dumbaya.

BARNSLEY: Steele, Shotton, Foster, Moore, Dickinson, Doyle (Butterfield 60), Colace, Hallfredsson (Anderson 56), Hammill, Macken (A. Gray 77), Hume.
Subs: Preece, Bogdanovic, J. Gray, Thompson.

by **NIGHTMARE** Wed 21 Oct - 23:05:21

NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1 (Moussi 90)
BARNSLEY 0

GUY Moussi's last gasp winner denied the Reds a deserved point at the City Ground.

Reds boss Mark Robins again made changes despite Saturday's win at Doncaster with Anderson de Silva returning in midfield and Nathan Doyle dropping to the bench. Barnsley were chasing a first four game winning run since Paul Hart's days in 2004 after victories against West Brom, Ipswich Town and Doncaster Rovers.

The Reds were gifted a great chance to open the scoring with just two minutes on the clock when Wes Morgan needlessly clattered through Anderson right on the edge of the box. Iain Hume curled a brilliant free kick over the wall and left Lee Camp rooted to the spot and the ball smacked the cross bar but flew over the top.

A trip on Adam Hammill two minutes later gave Hume another chance to fire a free kick into the danger area but this time Ryan Shotton could not keep his header on target from 14 yards. It was a great, positive start for the Reds leaving Forest struggling to cope although Paul Anderson did his best to lift the home crowd on five minutes as he raced in from the right flank but his shot was weak and easy for Luke Steele.

Barnsley were incisive and penetrative in attack and Jon Macken linked up well with Hume on eight minutes as Forest looked shaky at the back again. This time Hume could not control his volley and the ball skipped a couple of feet wide of the post.

Forest had a shout for a penalty waved away on ten minutes when Anderson dropped tot he ground under a challenge with Darren Moore as the pair went for Dexter Blackstock's neat flick. The referee waved away Forest's protests.

There was controversy on 20 minutes when David McGoldrick threw himself to the ground under the lightest of touches from Moore after a long ball forward had beaten both of them. It was an exaggerated fall by the ex-Southampton man but was enough to earn his side a free kick right on the edge of the box. Thankfully Chris Cohen could only smack the dead ball into the wall.

Barnsley's goal led a charmed life moments later when Cohen's cross fell to McGoldrick at the back post. The striker's header looked to be creeping into the far corner before Blackstock slid in and crashed his effort against the bar and away.

Forest were the beneficiaries of another dodgy decision on 25 minutes when the assistant kept his flag down to allow McGoldrick a clean run on goal but Steele did magnificently well to turn his shot away.

The Reds were struggling to get a grip on the game although the home fans had their hearts in their mouths on the half hour as Macken's flick dropped to Adam Hammill but the ex-Liverpool youngster got it all wrong and the ball flew well, well wide.

There was more action in the Reds area on 35 minutes when Tyson's cross bounced off a couple of Reds defenders before Cohen lashed it high over the bar under pressure.

Macken swung and missed on 42 minutes after good play by Hammill down the left. Three minutes later Macken had the Reds' best chance of the half in stoppage time as he did well to hold off the challenge of Morgan before bringing a fine stop from Camp. McGoldrick managed to get in on goal seconds later but was denied by Steele's outstanding save. There was still time for Anderson to curl one just wide with the final kick of the half.

Barnsley made their first change at half time with Andy Gray replacing Macken in attack. It was keenly fought again in the opening exchanges of the second half with neither side really getting grip on the game. Steele almost gifted a chance to Forest on 50 minutes as he let the ball slip from his grasp right on the edge of the box but the Reds regrouped in time to smother away the danger.

Blackstock then clipped one high over the bar a minute later from Anderson's right wing corner but his effort was never in any danger of troubling Steele. Dickinson followed Moore into the book on 55 minutes for protesting after another decision went the way of the home side.

The Reds were caught flat-footed at the back two minutes later when Tyson raced clear of the Barnsley defence but the striker shot wastefully wide with only Steele to beat.

Forest should have had a free kick themselves on the hour mark as Hammill barged his way past Cohen. The referee gave nothing and Hammill was inches away from giving Barnsley the lead as he brought a fine save from Camp.

The Reds went even closer seconds later as substitute Julian Gray sent over a fine cross that Stephen Foster glanced a foot wide of the mark. Tyson almost pressed his customary self destruct button again on 63 minutes after he scythed down Ryan Shotton following an outstanding tackle by the Reds defender. Tyson was booked.

Barnsley should have been in front on 63 minutes. Hammill did well to skip away down the right and stood the ball up past Camp for Julian Gray to attack. The winger really should have done a lot better with his free header but hit the sidenetting. It should have been nestling in the back of the net.

Forest substitute Radoslaw Majewksi almost made an instant impact on 68 minutes when his corner fizzed across goal and forced Moore to head just over his own bar. Hammill and Julian Gray combined well again on 75 minutes as the two wingers split Forest open but Kelvin Wilson was in the right place to clear before Anderson de Silva could pounce inside the six yard box.

Emil Hallfredsson almost found that one special moment to break the deadlock on 80 minutes as he let fly from 25 yards but Camp managed to get across and claw the ball out of the top corner.

Hammill had Forest all over the place on 87 minutes as he nicked the ball off Cohen and raced towards the area only to be tripped right on the line by the defender. Cohen picked up a yellow - it could have been more - but Carl Dickinson hammered the free kick into the wall and away.

Forest grabbed an undeserved winner deep in stoppage time when Dele Adebola barged an opening in the Reds seemingly impregnable defence. The ball dropped to Moussi, who rifled it past Steele from 12 yards.

Moussi - who had already been booked - should have know better than to run into the Forest fans after scoring the goal and picked up a second yellow card for his celebrations.

NOTTINGHAM FOREST: Camp, Morgan, Wilson, Anderson (Garner 76), Tyson (Majewksi 67), Cohen, Gunter, McGoldrick, McKenna, Moussi, Blackstock (Adebola 71).
Subs: Chambers, McGugan, McCleary, Smith.

BARNSLEY: Steele, Shotton, Foster, Moore, Dickinson, Anderson (Bogdanovic 90), Colace, Hallfredsson, Hammill, Macken (A. Gray 45), Hume (J. Gray 57).
Subs: Preece, Butterfield, Doyle, Thompson.

by **NIGHTMARE** Sun 25 Oct - 4:11:05

BARNSLEY 2 (Bogdanovic 63, Hammill 90)
BRISTOL CITY 3 (Maynard 27, Sno 42, Elliott 75)

REFEREE Andy Haines' had a day to forget at Oakwell as his controversial penalty decision midway through the second half put the skids under a fine Barnsley revival against Bristol City.

Reds boss Mark Robins again changed things around in a bid to bounce back from Tuesday's last-gasp disappointment at Nottingham Forest. In came Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Andy Gray with Anderson de Silva and Jon Macken dropping to the bench. Bristol City named ex-Reds loan star Lewin Nyatanga in the heart of their defence.

It was a scrappy opening but things almost went Barnsley's way on eleven minutes when Ryan Shotton's free kick skipped through off the went surface to Stephen Foster and the Reds skipper brought a fine diving save from Dean Gerken.

Gerken really earned his money just seconds later as he somehow managed to turn Emil Hallfredsson's 30-yard thunderbolt against the underside of the cross bar. Iain Hume could not put the rebound into the back of the net.

Barnsley went even closer on 16 minutes when Adam Hammill skipped past Jamie McAllister before pinging a fine cross to the back post that left Gerken stranded but Campbell-Ryce put his deflected shot into the turf and over the bar. The Reds could and should have been in front from Hume's corner seconds later as Shotton lost his marker to attack the ball 12 yards out the defender somehow missed his free header.

Hallfredsson again put his boot through the ball on 20 minutes after cutting in towards the edge of the box. This time his shot flew well wide of Gerken's goal.

Barnsley had a big shout for a penalty waved away on 26 minutes when Nyatanga made a complete mess of clearing Shotton's low cross and looked to handle the ball on the ground. Referee Andy Haines gave nothing.

The Reds, who had battered Bristol City for the opening 27 minutes, were suddenly behind as both Foster and Darren Moore made a complete mess of clearing Gerken's long punt forward and Nicky Maynard was able to nip in and plant a low shot past Luke Steele.

Barnsley were almost caught out again five minutes later when McAllister's free kick almost fell to Marvin Elliott in the area but the midfielder could not get enough on his header to turn the ball goalward.

Things went from bad to worse for the Reds on 35 minutes when McAllister hacked straight through Hammill leaving the winger limping badly. Louis Carey almost put City two up just moments later as he let fly from 30 yards but his curling shot was never going to creep in at the far post although Steele was more than a little worried.

The Reds again struggled to deal with City's pace in attack on 42 minutes when Danny Haynes nipped down the right hand side and away from Carl Dickinson before crossing low into the middle. The ball dropped nicely for Evander Sno and the midfielder didn't really need a second invitation to smack it back past Steele and into the bottom corner.

Hume limped out of the action at half time with Daniel Bogdanovic replacing the striker in attack. City fired the first shot in anger in the second half on 46 minutes when Lee Johnson let fly from 30 yards but his effort flew well over the top.

Another mix up in the Barnsley defence allowed Haynes in on goal again on 51 minutes as Dickinson dropped a yard too deep. This time the striker could not find a finish under pressure from Foster.

The Reds slowly found a foothold in the game and managed to wrestle more of the ball from City. Foster headed over on 53 minutes from a Dickinson free kick before the Reds skipper glanced one wide of the mark five minutes later after getting onto Hammill's corner.

Anderson then picked apart the Bristol City defence well to send Gray in behind a minute later but the striker was denied by Gerken's smart save.

Barnsley were denied a penalty on the hour mark when Anderson's cross smacked into the arm of Johnson inside the area. Or so it appeared to everybody inside the stadium but the referee amazingly gave a free kick right on the chalk. Sno cleared Hammill's free kick and the chance went begging.

Robins' side needed a slice of luck and they got it big time on 63 minutes when Bogdanovic turned and shot from the edge of the area. It was a poor effort and Gerken looked to easily have it covered but the keeper somehow let the ball sneak through his grasp and over the line. It was an epic howler from the ex-Colchester keeper.

Hugo Colace picked up the first yellow card of the game a minute later after a crunching challenge on Elliott. It looked a fair one.

Barnsley suddenly found their confidence and a lot of it came after the introduction of Jacob Butterfield in midfield. The youngster was only inches away from levelling things on 70 minutes as he let fly from the edge of the box but his low shot flew just wide of the bottom corner.

Bogdanovic almost turned provider two minutes later as his deflected cross flew through to Gerken with Hammill lurking at the near post.

There was controversy on 74 minutes when Haynes nipped in behind the Reds defence but was denied by Shotton's pressure and could only knock the ball back to Steele. Referee Andy Haines thought was the only man in the stadium to think otherwise and pointed to the spot - despite no City protests. It got even worse as Shotton was shown a straight red card for his challenge. Steele did everything he could by saving McAllister's penalty but the Reds keeper could do nothing about Elliott's follow up.

Bogdanovic almost pulled one back just seconds after the restart when he broke well inside the Bristol area but his shot was deflected wide of the mark.

It was all going against Barnsley as Butterfield was forced out of the action on 80 minutes with a badly cut eye. Anderson then thought he could have had a penalty himself from Hammill's free kick after tussling with McAllister but the Reds were never going to get that decision.

Still the ten men pressed and Hallfredsson headed over on 84 minutes. Barnsley got their goal back in stoppage time when Hammill let fly and beat Gerken from the edge of the box.

Hammill went close to levelling things moments later as he met Bogdanovic's cross but his flying header smacked into the seating behind Gerken's goal.

by **NIGHTMARE** Sun 1 Nov - 22:37:23

PETERBOROUGH UNITED 1 (Boyd 24)
BARNSLEY 2 (Bogdanovic 25, Macken 38)

BARNSLEY were made to work but Daniel Bogdanovic and Jon Macken hit the goals to pick up a deserved win at London Road.

Another game, another raft of changes for the Reds as Mark Robins again searched for the winning formula that eluded his side against Nottingham Forest, Bristol City and Manchester United, although Barnsley took a lot of heart from Tuesday's fine Carling Cup display against the champions. Back came Carl Dickinson, Ryan Shotton and Nathan Doyle while Julian Gray, Rob Kozluk and Emil Hallfredsson missed out.

Peterborough were missing striker Craig Mackail-Smith from their first choice front line and keeper Joe Lewis while they handed a debut to on-loan Manchester United shot-stopper Ben Amos. There was no place for former Red Tom Williams, who missed the game through injury.

Kick off was proceeded by an immaculately observed one minute's silence ahead of Remembrance Sunday next weekend as the Reds looked to get off to a bright start, buoyed by some tremendous vocal backing from the 1,000 or so Barnsley supporters standing behind Amos' goal.

Amos saved Peterborough on ten minutes when Daniel Bogdanovic did well to find a yard down the right and crossed but the young keeper did wonderfully well to race off his line and scramble the ball away from Anderson. Hugo Colace could not turn the rebound back goalward from 12 yards.

At the other end Shaun Batt managed to get a shot away moments later but Luke Steele was in the right place to make a decent save.

Toumani Diagouraga then went route one for Posh and caused the Reds all sorts of problems as Stephen Foster, Darren Moore and Steele made a complete mess of dealing with the ball and almost let in Batt and Aaron McLean. Thankfully referee Carl Boyeson blew his whistle to save the Reds' blushes.

Shotton's long throw almost put the Reds into the lead on 16 minutes as Amos let the ball slip through his hands under pressure but Bogdanovic could not turn it into an empty net although it was a tough opportunity to turn goalward.

George Boyd then had the Reds rocking on 23 minutes as he fizzed the ball across the face of goal but McLean and Batt could not turn it over the line. Things took a controversial turn as from Boyd's corner Moore and McLean's wrestling caught the attention of referee Boyeson. It was a case of six of one, half a dozen of the other but the referee pointed to the spot. Boyd coolly dispatched the penalty into the bottom corner.

The lead lasted all of 70 seconds as Barnsley broke straight from the kick off and Macken fired over a fantastic cross from the right that cut Amos out of the game. Bogdanovic was in the right place again to head home from six yards.

Peterborough pressed the self destruct button on 38 minutes as a misplaced pass allowed Anderson to canter through the heart of the Posh defence. The Brazilian picked out the right pass to put Macken clean through and the striker did not need a second invitation to lash the ball past Amos and into the far top corner.

The Reds almost caught Peterborough on the counter two minutes into the second half as Macken and Doyle combined to send Adam Hammill away down the left. Hammill cut past his marker and was only a foot or so away from planting his shot into the top corner.

Lee Frecklington then went close down the other end moments later as his curler flew just over the bar. Batt also went close on 54 minutes as he shot wide of the mark from the edge of the box.

Boyd's delivery from set pieces was causing problems for Barnsley and the front man's corner on 56 minutes gave Craig Morgan a free header but Doyle was in the right place to hack off the line. McLean and Batt then almost broke through as Posh piled on the pressure but the Reds defence were hanging on for dear life. Boyd flashed one over on 58 minutes.

Hammill had Amos flapping again on the hour mark as his free kick flew past everybody and brought an uncomfortable save from the young keeper. Foster then could not turn the loose ball into the net under pressure.

Peterborough somewhat lost their way as the second half progressed. Still the chances came for the home side though and Batt saw a deflected show hit the sidenetting on 76 minutes.

Barnsley were battling a referee who lost the plot a little to hand Peterborough the opportunity to get back into the game on 80 minutes when McLean just fell over as he raced with Foster towards a long punt forward. Astoundingly referee Boyeson not only gave the home side a free kick but also booked Foster - ruling the Reds skipper out of the Sheffield United game. There was more than a little justice when Frecklington hammered the free kick over the stand.

The Reds almost killed the game on 81 minutes as the ball broke to substitute Iain Hume but a combination of Morgan and keeper Amos cleared the danger. Still Peterborough pressed and Morgan again went close with a header from Boyd's corner on 85 minutes.

The Reds had the ball in the back of the net deep in stoppage time as Anderson raced onto Hume's pass and cut into the area before playing in Macken but the striker was yards offside as he slotted the chance past Amos.

PETERBOROUGH UNITED: Amos, Morgan, Zakuani (Bennett 63), Lee, Frecklington, McLean, Boyd, Rowe, Diagouraga, Whelpdale (Rose 37), Batt.
Subs: Martin, Keates, McKeown, Pearce, Griffiths.

BARNSLEY: Steele, Shotton, Foster, Moore, Dickinson, Anderson, Colace, Doyle (Butterfield 87), Hammill (J. Gray 68), Bogdanovic (Hume 63), Macken.
Subs: Preece, Hassell, Campbell-Ryce, A. Gray.

by **NIGHTMARE** Sun 15 Nov - 22:08:46

BARNSLEY 2 (Anderson 54, Bogdanovic 75)
SHEFFIELD UNITED 2 (Henderson 61 P, 82 P)

IT was a game the Reds really should have won but Barnsley had to settle for a share of the spoils following a hard fought and controversial South Yorkshire derby. Is there any other kind?

Barnsley manager Mark Robins was forced into one change from the side that beat Peterborough United with skipper Stephen Foster missing the game through suspension. In came Rob Kozluk to face his former employers while Ryan Shotton switched into the middle of the back four.

Sheffield United's injury and suspension decimated side still had a very strong look to it although boss Kevin Blackwell took a gamble on the fitness of Kyle Walker, Jon Fortune and Jamie Ward in a bid to half a run of four defeats.

Following an immaculately observed minute's silence, Oakwell erupted into full voice ahead of a massive South Yorkshire showdown against the men from Bramall Lane. Barnsley made the most of a scrappy opening to carve out the first chance on six minutes when Jon Macken turned Kozluk's cross goalward but the ball looped a foot or so over Ian Bennett's crossbar.

The Reds were almost behind on eight minutes when Walker's long throw somehow made its way through to Ward at the back post but a combination of Darren Moore and Luke Steele smothered his shot away. Barnsley were quickly on the counter and Anderson picked out a wonderful pass to put Daniel Bogdanovic clean through on Bennett's goal but Matt Killgallon appeared from nowhere to block the Maltese striker's shot away from the bottom corner.

The Reds went even closer from Adam Hammill's corner as Bennett made a complete mess of grabbing the ball and it looped back off the underside of the bar and away.

Hammill was again the creator on 13 minutes when his cross from the left had the Blades chasing shadows and Anderson did everything right with his header only to be denied by Bennett's outstanding save.

United fired their first real warning shot on 16 minutes when Ched Evans did well to evade Shotton before drilling the ball a foot or so wide of the post from 25 yards.

Bogdanovic had Oakwell on its feet on 20 minutes when his neat flick opened up the Sheffield United defence. The Maltese striker let fly from 20 yards with a well-struck volley that Bennett somehow managed to claw away from the top corner.

United should have been in front a minute later when Keith Treacey's cross beat the Barnsley defence and gave Darius Henderson a free header eight yards out but the Blades skipper completely missed the ball.

Andrew Davies got away with murder just moments later after clashing with Macken deep in the Sheffield United half. TV pictures clearly showed the Blades defender aim a headbutt at the Reds striker but this amazingly went unpunished. There's something eerily familiar about a Sheffield United defender getting away without a red card at Oakwell.

Bennett came to United rescue yet again on 25 minutes as a scramble in the Blades are from Macken's knock back ended with Hugo Colace smashing the ball goalward but the United keeper did wonderfully well to parry it away.

United's goal led a charmed life again on 31 minutes as Anderson met Kozluk's cross on the volley but the ball cannoned away off a defender for a corner.

Evans had Barnsley scrambling on 33 minutes as his deep cross almost caught out the Reds but Moore was in the right place to make a telling challenge on James Harper at the back post. Harper then lashed one goalward two minutes later but his shot took a deflection and flew wide of the mark.

Another lightening break by the Reds gave Hammill a shooting chance on 39 minutes but the winger got under the ball 35 yards out and fired high over the top into a North Stand housing around 1,800 visiting fans.

Shotton picked up a yellow card on 43 minutes after a sliding challenge of Killgallon left the Blades defender in agony. It was a late tackle and it ended the Sheffield United star's game early.

Sheffield United's injury hit season took another twist at half time with keeper Bennett - who had singlehandedly kept the Blades in the match in the opening 45 minutes - was replaced by Mark Bunn.

Macken had the ball in the back of the net on 50 minutes as he looked to have beaten the Blades offside trap before lobbing the ball over Bunn only to be denied by the flag. Evans though he had broken through Barnsley on 52 minutes as he raced onto Henderson's pass but the striker was denied a shot at goal by Dickinson's smart diving tackle.

Oakwell erupted on 54 minutes when Colace picked the perfect pass to open Sheffield United wide open and put Anderson free in the area. The Brazilian had time to pick his spot and hammered the ball past Bunn and into the far top corner.

Sheffield United were almost on level terms just two minutes later as Henderson powered his way into the area before crashing a low shot against the upright from a tight angle. The ball dropped to Ward but Moore was immense in blocking away the striker's goalbound effort.

Barnsley broke quickly and Bogdanovic brought a fine stop from Bunn on 55 minutes as his lob looked to be heading for the top corner. Dickinson then almost put a second on a plate for Macken seconds later with a fine cross from the left but the Barnsley front man could not turn the ball past Bunn from ten yards.

The Reds' pressure was forcing the Blades back time and time again. Colace crossed well for Bogdanovic on 59 minutes but the striker glanced his header wide of the post.

Sheffield United had the benefit of a very controversial refereeing decision on the hour mark as Evans hit the deck under the challenge of Kozluk and Steele deep in the Reds area. The referee pointed to the spot and Henderson lashed the penalty high into the roof of the net.

Macken should he put the Reds back in front on 63 minutes when he left the United defence standing to meet Dickinson's free kick on the penalty spot but his header dropped wide of Bunn's goal.

The Reds suddenly found the vigour and determination that had been a huge part of their play for the first hour and Hammill raced at the United defence again on 66 minutes only to shoot straight at Bunn.

Their persistence paid off on 75 minutes when Macken did magnificently well to turn the Sheffield United defence and power to the byline. Macken's cross left Bunn nowhere and Bogdanovic was able to bundle to ball over the line from close range.

Henderson levelled things up on the caution count on 78 minutes when he clattered Anderson in midfield.

Henderson then levelled the game four minutes later after Hammill had caught Walker in the area. It was more of a penalty than the first one. Again United had the chance from the spot and once more Henderson beat Steele from 12 yards.

The goal really knocked the stuffing out of Barnsley although Nathan Doyle almost capped a fine midfield display on 88 minutes when he let fly from 30 yards but the ball fizzed wide of the post.

BARNSLEY: Steele, Kozluk, Shotton, Moore, Dickinson, Anderson, Colace, Doyle, Hammill, Macken (Hume 75), Bogdanovic (A. Gray 76).
Subs: Preece, Campbell-Ryce, Hassell, Hallfredsson, Thompson.

SHEFFIELD UNITED: Bennett (Bunn 45), Killgallon (Geary 45), Henderson, Evans, Harper, Ward, Davies, Treacey (Camara 79), Quinn, Fortune, Walker.
Subs: France, Cotterill, Williamson, Little.

by **NIGHTMARE** Sun 22 Nov - 7:50:14

BARNSLEY 1 (Dickinson 90)
CARDIFF CITY 0

FULL back Carl Dickinson scored a last-gasp winner as his late free kick finally broke Cardiff at Oakwell.

Reds manager Mark Robins was boosted by the return of influential skipper Stephen Foster for the clash with in-form Cardiff. Foster came straight back into the side at the expense of the injured Darren Moore. Hugo Colace shook off a groin niggle to keep his place in the Barnsley engine room alongside Nathan Doyle. Jon Macken and red hot Daniel Bogdanovic led the line.

Cardiff were without ex-Reds midfielder Stephen McPhail but included former Barnsley loan man Michael Chopra in their starting eleven. Star midfielders Joe Ledley and Peter Whittingham lined up on the flanks as City looked to build on an impressive recent run which has seen the Welsh side force their way into the race for automatic promotion.

It was wet, windy and, to be honest, pretty awful at Oakwell as the teams entered the field in driving wind and rain. It was a tough test for Mark Robins' improving side.

The first real chance came after a slip by Foster let Chris Burke in on goal on six minutes. The winger took a touch but could not find a finish and dragged a poor shot well wide of the target from 18 yards.

Barnsley upped the tempo and the noise level inside Oakwell. They almost got their rewards on ten minutes as Carl Dickinson's fine cross skipped in front of Bogdanovic and away from goal. The striker was inches away from turning it goalward.

At the other end Ross McCormack saw a shot deflect well wide of the mark on 12 minutes after doing well to find a yard of space 22 yards out. Kozluk was in the right place to head Whittingham's corner away off the line.

Bogdanovic's tumble under Mark Kennedy's challenge gave the Reds a great opportunity three minutes later. Anderson's free kick almost dropped to Bogdanovic but the ball skipped through to Dickinson, who saw his shot cannon away. Anderson then headed over the top from Adam Hammill's corner kick.

Cardiff were almost in front on 17 minutes as Burke's cross caught the Reds out and McCormack was inches away from flicking the ball past Luke Steele and into the far corner.

Barnsley's first real clear sight of goal came on 19 minutes as the Reds attacked Kozluk's deep free kick. Ryan Shotton managed to get his head to the ball but his effort was straight at David Marshall.

Cardiff almost stole a goal on 23 minutes when Whittingham's quickly taken free kick fizzed past the upright from all of 35 yards. It was bright thinking by the midfielder and almost caught out Steele.

Anderson almost picked up a caution a minute later for remonstrating with Mark Hudson after the giant defender had gone down like he had been shot from Whittingham's corner. The Brazilian received a stern lecture from referee Kevin Wright.

Substitute Paul Quinn had his heart in his mouth after an over the top challenge on Colace left the Argentinean in agony on 28 minutes. It was a crude lunge by the City full back but he got away with just a yellow.

Bogdanovic brought a stop from Marshall on the half hour as he met Dickinson's cross but the striker's header was never really going to trouble the City keeper. Macken almost put Bogdanovic clear on 34 minutes as the Reds looked to pick open Cardiff but the striker could not get a clean shot away under pressure from Kennedy.

A lightening break by Barnsley and Anderson had Cardiff chasing on 36 minutes and the Brazilian almost put Bogdanovic clear but Burke was quick enough to get back and clear. Foster then got his head to Hammill's corner but the ball flew high over the goal.

The second half started no better from either side although Steele had a save to make on 50 minutes as he grabbed Quinn's low cross inside the six yard box. The drive, determination and hard work was there from both sides but the quality on the ball was sorely lacking on a wretched winter's evening.

Whittingham dug out a decent cross to the back post on 53 minutes that gave Burke a chance but Dickinson never let it go and managed to block the header clear. Barnsley managed to clear the danger again when they crowded out Whittingham's corner.

A foul on Bogdanovic gave Hammill the chance to put Cardiff under pressure again on 56 minutes and the winger's free kick fell nicely for Shotton but the defender could not beat Marshall with a looping header. Hammill then saw a low drive kicked away on the hour mark as Barnsley finally found some momentum to lift a sodden home support.

Colace was a foot away from breaking the deadlock on 62 minutes as he hammered Anderson's layoff goalward and his shot smacked into Gabor Gyepes but flew wide of the post with Marshall diving the other way.

Cardiff had a massive let off on 67 minutes when Hammill's free kick evaded everyone, including flapping keeper Marshall, but the visitors managed to scramble the ball clear before the Reds could pounce.

Marshall was forced into a save again on 74 minutes when Hammill let fly with a free kick from 30 yards after being tripped by Burke.

The Reds pushed again and Gyepes blatant pull on substitute Iain Hume gave the home side a great chance on 77 minutes. Gyepes got away without a booking but Hume could not make him pay as he smacked the free kick against the advertising boards.

Whittingham smacked a free kick into the wall on 82 minutes after Colace had tripped Ledley before Hammill's run and cross had Marshall flapping again seconds later. The ball dropped to Colace on the edge of the box but the midfielder could not find the target and volleyed high over.

The Reds final fling came deep in stoppage time when Hudson handled Anderson's flick just outside the box. Oakwell fell silent as Dickinson strode up and smacked a low shot off the wall and past Marshall into the bottom corner of the net.

BARNSLEY: Steele, Kozluk, Foster, Shotton, Dickinson, Anderson, Colace, Doyle, Hammill, Bogdanovic (Hume 75), Macken.
Subs: Preece, Campbell-Ryce, Hassell, Hallfredsson, Thompson, Gray.

CARDIFF CITY: Marshall, McNaughton (Quinn 23), Hudson, Gyepes, Kennedy, Ledley, Rae, Burke, Whittingham, Chopra, McCormack (Feeney 70).
Subs: Enckelman, Comminges, Scimeca, McEnnes, Wildig.

Attendance- 11,903
Away - 998

by **NIGHTMARE** Mon 30 Nov - 19:22:19

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE 1 (Duguid 9)
BARNSLEY 4 (Bogdanovic 12, Hallfredsson 16, Hammill 24, Shotton 31)

REFEREE Gavin Ward shocked the Reds with a scandalous decision to call off today's game after 59 minutes despite the Reds cruising 4-1 up.

It was a controversial decision that rightly enraged the Reds and gave Argyle a second chance in a game that they just did not deserve.

There could not be two more different days at Home Park after delight in the sun as the Reds secured their Championship status on the final day of last season. This time around the Reds were met with torrential rain and wind as they looked to extend their great recent run with victory over Argyle.

Out went suspended midfielder Anderson de Silva and the Brazilian's enforced absence meant a return and another chance to impress for Icelandic international Emil Hallfredsson. Argyle had ex-Red Rory Fallon leading their line while former Oakwell keeper Kyle Letheren was on the bench.

There was a change to the team even before kick off as Jon Macken failed to line up at the kick off. The striker was replaced in the starting eleven by Andy Gray. Luke Potter stepped up to the bench.

The Reds were on the front foot in the opening few moments as Gray and Daniel Bogdanovic combined brilliantly to open up Argyle and put Adam Hammill through but the winger was denied a clear strike by a last-gasp challenge.

Argyle were a threat in the air and Alan Judge almost put a goal on a plate for Fallon on eight minutes as his cross fizzed over from the right but Stephen Foster was in the right place get an important head to the ball.

Barnsley's defence went AWOL though seconds later as Darcy Blake was able to cross the ball from the right flank. Foster and Ryan Shotton were nowhere to be seen as the ball skipped through the heart of the Reds backline and Karl Duguid was able to slide in and prod it past Luke Steele.

The Reds were back level within two minutes as it was Plymouth's turn to fall apart at the back. Shotton's fine pass sent Hammill away down the right and the winger sent over a perfect deep cross for Daniel Bogdanovic to nod past Romain Larrieu from close range.

The rain was causing havoc and Alan Gow almost put Plymouth back in front on 12 minutes as he skipped in from the right but scuffed a shot through to Steele from the edge of the area. Fallon then got a shot away after making a yard of space on 15 minutes but his low drive was easily held by Steele.

Barnsley were in front on 16 minutes as Hallfredsson pounced on a loose clearance to let fly from 18 yards. The ball smacked against a Plymouth defender, wrong-footed Larrieu and ended up in the back of the net.

Gray almost made it three on 21 minutes as he raced clear onto Hugo Colace's excellent through ball but the striker could not get his lob over Larrieu from 18 yards. He probably should have done a bit better.

Plymouth were washed away in emphatic fashion on 24 minutes as Hallfredsson picked out a fine pass to send Hammill clear of the Argyle defence. Hammill picked his spot and hammered a low drive past Larrieu and into the back of the net.

Colace almost added a fourth on the half hour as he found a yard to shoot after Hammill's corner had dropped on the six yard line but the Argyle defence managed to hack clear.

The fourth did come seconds later after another Hammill corner as Shotton rose highest and planted a powerful header against the inside of the post and over the line before it was smacked away. The assistant's flag was straight up signalling a goal - it was the right decision.

Argyle were still pressing and Gow brought a save from Steele on 37 minutes with a free kick. Krisztian Timar did the same seconds later.

It should have been five on 38 minutes as Hallfredsson, Bogdanovic and Hammill combined to put Gray clear through but the striker was caught out by the sodden pitch and could only shoot wide of the goal. Gray went close again on 44 minutes as he pounced onto the ball 18 yards from goal and looked to curl a shot last Larrieu but the Argyle keeper did wonderfully well to claw the ball away.

Bogdanovic almost had his second moments later as he broke free in the area and beat Larrieu but his low shot cannoned back off the post and Argyle managed to clear.

Plymouth came in at the break praying for more rain, which would give referee Gavin Ward a very controversial decision to make in the second half.

Hammill had a great chance to really rub salt into Argyle's wounds on 50 minutes as he broke one-on-one against full back Gary Sawyer. Hammill took his shot early but Larrieu was quickly down to make a smart save.

At the other end Craig Noone did well to skip his way into the area on 55 minutes but was denied by Steele's smart diving save. Gray should have got his name onto the scoresheet a minute later as he took on Bogdanovic's pass to face up Larrieu but the striker's low shot was kicked away off the line.

It didn't matter as referee Ward intervened to call the game off just before the hour mark.

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE: Larrieu, Duguid, Fletcher, Timar, Blake, Fallon, Sawyer, Judge, Gow, Folly (Noone 32), Lowry.
Subs: Clark, Sheridan, Johnson, Letheren, Barnes, Mason.

BARNSLEY: Steele, Kozluk, Colace, Foster, Bogdanovic, Hallfredsson, Hammill, Gray, Dickinson, Shotton, Doyle.
Subs: Hassell, Moore, Hume, Campbell-Ryce, Preece, Butterfield, Potter.

by **NIGHTMARE** Sun 6 Dec - 21:30:31

BLACKPOOL 1 (Adam 74 P)
BARNSLEY 2 (Hassell 84, Gray 88 P)

IT was a tale of two debateable penalties at Bloomfield Road as the Reds came from behind to snatch victory against Blackpool.

There was still a feeling of disappointment around Oakwell about the fact that both Nathan Doyle and Anderson de Silva were forced out of today's game at Blackpool through suspension following last weekend's debacle in the rain at Plymouth. It meant a recall into midfield for Bobby Hassell while Jon Macken returned to the starting eleven after missing the Home Park farce with a late calf strain. Although there was no rain in the build up to the game at Bloomfield Road, it was bitterly, bitterly cold as a freezing wind blew in off the sea.

Blackpool were forced into changes from the side that outplayed Preston on Monday night with Marcel Seip and Ian Evatt missing from the starting eleven.

There was no flying start for Blackpool this time around after the Seasiders made the breakthrough against Preston after just 23 seconds on Monday night. Pools plans went up in smoke early on as Ben Burgess limped out of the action with only three minutes on the clock. The big striker was replaced by Jason Euell.

Blackpool suddenly found their footing in the game after Hameur Bouazza lashed one just wide of the post on eleven minutes. Euell then took advantage of a slip by Ryan Shotton to face up Luke Steele a minute later but the striker fired wildly wide of the target. Alex Baptiste planted a free header wide of the mark seconds later from Billy Clarke's corner.

Euell was again involved on 15 minutes as he turned well on the edge of the area and shot goalward but Steele was quickly down to make a very smart low save. It was all Blackpool but the Reds were just about hanging on in there.

Steele had to be on top form again on 21 minutes to race from his goal and deny Clarke after the striker had beaten the offside trap.

Barnsley's first real chance came just seconds later as Emil Hallfredsson sprang the Blackpool defence to put Daniel Bogdanovic clear but the striker was denied by Matthew Gilks fine save. Hallfredsson found a yard of space in the Blackpool area on 23 minutes to meet Adam Hammill's corner but the midfielder saw his volley blocked away.

A slip by Hugo Colace almost gifted Bouazza a chance on 29 minutes but the Algerian international, who could be facing England next summer, lobbed the ball well wide of Steele's goal from 30 yards. Neal Eardley then hammered one into the sidenetting on 32 minutes after nipping in behind Carl Dickinson.

It was almost constant pressure from the home side and Clarke shot wide on 33 minutes after Shotton had done well to get his toe to Charlie Adam's cross.

Steele was at his brilliant best again on 39 minutes when he raced from his goal to take the ball off the foot of Clarke after Blackpool had found the right pass through the Reds defence.

Macken had the ball in the net on 44 minutes as he beat the Blackpool defence to Hammill's pass but the striker was denied by the assistant's flag.

It appeared as thought he half time interval had come at a good time for Barnsley as Mark Robins' words seemed to have an effect and the Reds started the second 45 minutes with far more attacking threat and intent.

Bogdanovic had a great chance to open the scoring on 48 minutes as he lost his marker to meet Shotton's cross but crashed his volley against the top of the bar and over. The chance came from fine play by Shotton down the right flank.

At the other end Crainey saw a low drive cannon away after a nicely worked free kick gave the defender a shooting chance 30 yards from goal.

Barnsley were much better and Hammill's corner on 53 minutes almost fell for Hugo Colace in the area but the Blackpool defence were able to crowd out the danger. More good play by Colace and Hallfredsson opened the home side up again moments later but Bogdanovic was unable to find the top corner from 16 yards although his effort took a deflection.

Steele was called into action twice in the space of seconds just after the hour mark to deny first Adam and then turn Bouazza's effort over the bar after the rebound had dropped nicely for the winger 16 yards out.

Macken picked up a caution on 64 minutes after tussling with Crainey although the caution was more for an accumulation of fouls than anything else.

Barnsley just keep getting appalling refereeing decisions going against them at the moment and there was another to add to the list on 72 minutes when Shotton controlled Barry Bannan's header on his chest in the area under no pressure. The ball never struck his arm in a million years but referee Lee Mason buckled under Pools appeals and controversially pointed to the spot. It was a shocker from the Lancashire referee. Adam made no mistake from the spot.

Adam almost had his second just two minutes later as his low drive took a deflection but Steele was again in the right place to save. David Vaughan was next to try his luck from distance but Steele managed to grab his effort.

Euell managed to get in behind the Reds on 82 minutes to attack Bannan's pass but Rob Kozluk did wonderfully well to get a last-gasp tackle in as the Blackpool striker was about to pull the trigger from ten yards.

Barnsley got the goal they rightly deserved on 83 minutes as Blackpool stood off Iain Hume's deep corner and Hassell was in the right place to plant a header past Gilks into the top corner.

Steele was Barnsley's hero just moments later as he turned Adam's powerfully struck shot away before referee Mason evened things up on 86 minutes when Baptiste stuck his hand in the air to deflect away Shotton's long throw under pressure from Hume. Again there did not really look too much in it but the referee pointed to the spot and Gray coolly put the penalty past Gilks and into the top corner of the net.

Adam tried to beat the Reds on his own in stoppage time as he skipped past Dickinson and Colace down the right before smacking a rising shot high over the top.

BLACKPOOL: Gilks, Crainey, Southern, Eardley, Clarke (Bannan 43), Burgess (Euell 3), Vaughan, Baptiste, Bouazza (Taylor-Fletcher 88), Edwards, Adam.
Subs: Rachubka, Evatt, Ormerod, Bangura.

BARNSLEY: Steele, Kozluk, Shotton, Foster, Dickinson, Hammill, Colace, Hassell, Hallfredsson (Campbell-Ryce 80), Macken (Gray 70), Bogdanovic (Hume 70).
Subs: Preece, Moore, Butterfield, Potter.

Attendance - 8108
Away Attendance - 1284

by **NIGHTMARE** Sun 13 Dec - 6:58:01

BARNSLEY 1 (Colace 53)
SCUNTHORPE UNITED 1 (Hayes 58)

BARNSLEY were disappointing as Scunthorpe United fought their way to a point at Oakwell.

Barnsley manager Mark Robins made two changes to his starting eleven following Saturday's late win at Bloomfield Road. Out went Bobby Hassell and Emil Hallfredsson, who dropped to the bench, while Anderson de Silva and Nathan Doyle returned to the side. Scunthorpe United went with three very familiar faces in their side with Grant McCann, Paul Hayes and Sam Togwell all returning to Oakwell after spending time with the Reds in the last few years.

It was a slow, disjointed start for the Reds, who were put under pressure all over the park early on by Scunthorpe. The best the home side could muster came on three minutes when Adam Hammill's curling free kick beat everybody in the area but flew through to Joe Murphy.

Murphy had few real scares in the opening exchanges although he did well to clear under pressure from Daniel Bogdanovic on 14 minutes after David Mirfin's back pass left the Irishman in trouble.

Barnsley sprang to life on 16 minutes as Hammill raced at the heart of the Scunthorpe defence before putting Bogdanovic in the clear down the left channel. The striker took a touch before bringing a smart stop from Murphy. Jon Macken was inches away from getting a toe to the rebound.

Garry Thompson had Scunthorpe's best effort of the opening moments on 18 minutes as he skipped in from the left flank but his run was crowded out by a sea of red shirts.

The Reds went even closer on 21 minutes when Ryan Shotton leapt to meet Hammill's corner but Murphy managed to turn his header over the bar. McCann had his first sight of goal on 22 minutes as he broke onto a bouncing ball 30 yards out but the ex-Reds midfielder smacked his shot well wide of the target.

In an uneventful half Cliff Byrne's booking on 27 minutes for a deliberate hand ball was almost as exciting as it got. Marcus Williams' evening ended early just a minute later as injury forced the full back out of the game. He was replaced by George Friend.

Thompson was very, very lucky to get a soft free kick on 36 minutes that ended up causing the Reds more problems than it probably should as the ball dropped to giant defender Rob Jones at the back stick. Jones headed wastefully wide.

Hammill's corner on 43 minutes did give a little ray of hope in a woeful opening 45 minutes as it almost fell for Stephen Foster but the Reds skipper could not get his header goalward and got a whack in the eye for his trouble.

Foster's game ended at half time and the Reds skipper was replaced by Darren Moore.

The first chance of the second half fell to Anderson on 49 minutes as he found a yard in the area to meet Carl Dickinson's free kick but the Brazilian saw his low shot kicked away from the target.

Scunthorpe were gifted an opportunity to strike seconds later as Hayes went tumbling under Shotton's challenge. It gave McCann the chance to shoot but Luke Steele was in the right place to make his first save of the game.

Macken almost had a spectacular opener on 52 minutes as he met Hammill's cross but his volley fizzed just wide of the far post.

Barnsley finally lit up the game on 53 minutes and the goal came through the tenacity and determination of Bogdanovic, who battled his way to a lost cause down the right before finding the perfect cross to give Hugo Colace a tap in.

Scunthorpe were level inside six minutes after Mirfin nodded McCann's corner against the upright. Hayes reacted quickest and was on hand to head the ball into an empty net.

Scunthorpe were left a man down moments later when substitute George Friend caught one in the face from Anderson. It left the on loan Wolves man bleeding badly and forced him out of the action.

Barnsley had a stonewall penalty waved away on 70 minutes when Shotton was clearly pushed in the back as he went for Hammill's cross. Referee Eddie Ilderton gave a corner.

Kozluk picked up a booking for a foul on Andrew Wright on 71 minutes although both players went into the challenge with their feet up. Wright just appeared to come off worse.

Barnsley were being out fought but substitute Jamal Campbell-Ryce almost threatened Murphy's goal on 85 minutes as he let fly from distance but his effort flew high over the bar.

Scunthorpe could even have won it on 89 minutes with what was their second real chance of the game as Hayes smart flick found Togwell but the ex-Reds midfielder blazed wide with the goal gaping.

There was still time for McCann to plant a free kick high over the bar deep into stoppage time.

BARNSLEY: Steele, Kozluk, Shotton, Foster (Moore 45), Dickinson, Hammill, Colace, Doyle, Anderson (Campbell-Ryce 73), Bogdanovic (Hume 63), Macken.
Subs: Preece, Gray, Hassell, Hallfredsson.

SCUNTHORPE UNITED: Murphy, Jones, Byrne, Mirfin, Williams (Friend 28 (A.. Wright 63), McCann, Togwell, J. Wright, Thompson, Hayes, Hooper (Forte 77).
Subs: Lillis, Spence, Sparrow, Boyes.

by **NIGHTMARE** Sun 13 Dec - 7:00:39

BARNSLEY 2 (Hallfredsson 51, Hassell 86)
NEWCASTLE UNITED 2 (Nolan 6, Harwood 79)

BOBBY Hassell's late leveller earned the Reds a deserved point in a thriller at Oakwell.

Reds boss Robins rang the changes as he prepared to face league leaders Newcastle. Out went Rob Kozluk, Stephen Foster, Adam Hammill and Jon Macken while Bobby Hassell, Darren Moore, Emil Hallfredsson and Andy Gray were given the nod at Oakwell.

It was a rip-roaring start to the game with Andy Carroll heading just over the top at one end before Daniel Bogdanovic tested Steve Harper down the other inside the first minute. Harper was in action again seconds later as he saved well low down from Anderson de Silva.

Newcastle grabbed the lead after six minutes when Ryan Taylor's ball forward caught the Reds defence in two minds and Kevin Nolan was on hand to prod home his tenth goal of the season.

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The Magpies almost doubled their lead just two minutes later when Ryan Taylor again stood the ball up in the Reds area for Jonas Gutierrez to attack. This time Steele was in the right place to make a very good save.

Barnsley were under more pressure on ten minutes when Andy Carroll, playing his first game since being arrested last weekend, dropped to the ground under Ryan Shotton's challenge. Thankfully the free kick came to nothing.

Barnsley found their footing again but it was all too intricate in the area between Anderson and Andy Gray on 13 minutes after half an opening had appeared. Newcastle were able to smother the danger clear.

Hallfredsson then cannoned a shot away for a corner off Alan Smith a minute later as the Reds sought a response. Newcastle had to defend well from the corner as Bogdanovic and Shotton attacked a bouncing ball but in the end the chance went begging.

The home side had Newcastle going backwards again on 16 minutes as Bogdanovic broke clear down the right before finding Nathan Doyle in the centre but the midfielder got his volley all wrong and the ball flew wildly out play.

Steele had to be alert on 18 minutes as he raced from his goal to smother the ball at the feet of Fabrice Pancrate after the winger had been put through by Carroll.

Hallfredsson had Oakwell on its feet two minutes later as he shrugged off Smith before powering 40 yards with the ball at the heart of the Newcastle defence. The Icelander skipped past Fabricio Coloccini easily but could not find a finish and shot wide of Steve Harper's goal.

Barnsley should have been level on 23 minutes as Hallfredsson's corner beat everybody in the middle and bounced inside the six yard box before skipping out of play. Someone should have broken something to attack the ball as Newcastle stood off.

Another game. Another very debateable refereeing decision almost cost the Reds as Steele gathered a low ball before sliding outside the area. The Barnsley keeper appeared to let the ball go easily before he crossed the line but referee Graham Salisbury thought otherwise. Barnsley did well to clear Ryan Taylor's well-struck free kick. Ryan Shotton did even better to deflect Nicky Butt's goalbound drive on the rebound away for a corner.

A misplaced pass by Doyle dropped nicely for Ryan Taylor to attack on 34 minutes. The full back did not disappoint and lashed the ball an inch over the top from fully 30 yards.

Barnsley threatened little in the closing moments as the game turned scrappy. Harper had to save from Anderson's looping header on 45 minutes after a decent ball in by Carl Dickinson had given the midfielder half a chance at the other end. Carroll's woefully wide shot seconds later was the best a dogged, determined Newcastle could muster.

Barnsley started the second half on fire and Newcastle were hanging on as three Hallfredsson corners put them under pressure. The Reds first sight of goal in the second half came on 48 minutes when Bogdanovic teed up Doyle and them midfielder was only a foot away from finding the target from the edge of the area.

The Reds levelled things up on 51 minutes in spectacular fashion as Anderson skipped away down the right before standing the ball up to the back post. The ball broke nicely for Hallfredsson and the midfielder smashed an unstoppable shot past Harper and off the underside of the bar into the back of the net.

Newcastle almost found an instant response inside two minutes as Nolan flicked the ball past the Barnsley defence to put Carroll free. The big striker did well to get his effort over Steele but it drifted well wide of the far post.

It almost got even better on 62 minutes as Anderson's cross from a shot corner caught Newcastle out completely and Shotton powered a header goalward only to see his effort hacked off the line by Jose Enrique.

Barnsley were almost made to pay for a sloppy Colace pass just seconds later as the ball broke to Pancrate but the winger could not find the bottom corner from the edge of the area.

A huge chance came for the Reds on 67 minutes as Gray somehow beat the Newcastle defence to race onto Colace's pass. The flag stayed down but Gray hammered his shot high over the bar with only Harper to beat.

Hallfredsson almost had his second on 74 minutes as he hammered one in from the left edge of the area. Harper was rooted to the spot as the ball flew past the post.

Newcastle probably didn't deserve the second goal that came their way on 79 minutes from a long punt downfield by Harper. The ball broke to Marlon Harewood in the area and the striker wasted no time beating Steele.

Barnsley never let their heads drop and were level again on 86 minutes when Hassell battled his way through a crowded area to meet Hammill's corner. There was no doubt this week as Hassell's header nestled in the back of the net.

BARNSLEY: Steele, Hassell, Shotton, Moore, Dickinson, Anderson (Hammill 84), Colace, Doyle, Hallfredsson, Bogdanovic (Hume 90), Gray.
Subs: Preece, Kozluk, Campbell-Ryce, Macken, Potter.

NEWCASTLE UNITED: Harper, Coloccini, Enrique (Ranger 81), Nolan, R. Taylor, Smith, Gutierrez (Harewood 69), Pancrate (Khizanishvili), Butt, Carroll, S. Taylor.
Subs: Krul, Lovenkrands, Simpson, Ameobi.

by **NIGHTMARE** Tue 22 Dec - 16:28:38

CRYSTAL PALACE 1 (Moses 52)
BARNSLEY 1 (Bogdanovic 20)

BARNSLEY could not build on a fine first half display and they were held in the end by Palace at Selhurst Park.

Barnsley manager Mark Robins was afforded the rare luxury of being able to name an unchanged side for the game at Palace despite the return of skipper Stephen Foster, who had to be content with a place on the bench. Despite illness both Darren Ambrose and Neil Danns lined up for Palace on a bitterly cold afternoon at Selhurst Park.

The Reds were almost in front inside the first 30 seconds as a slip by Jose Fonte let Daniel Bogdanovic race clear through on Julian Speroni but the Palace keeper pulled off a wonderful save to deny the striker.

It was quite as amazing opening as Palace then broke quickly down the other end with Victor Moses skipping past Ryan Shotton before going to ground over the defender's challenge. It was a soft penalty and justice was probably just about done when Darren Ambrose blasted his penalty against the bar and over.

Barnsley were again pressing moments later as Emil Hallfredsson's free kick made it all the way through the Palace defence before taking a touch and bouncing through to Speroni. Ambrose then had Barnsley scrambling at the other end on nine minutes as his cross caused problems and Dickinson was happy to slice the ball away for a corner kick.

The Reds were close again from a short corner on eleven minutes when Bogdanovic's near post cross gave Shotton a great chance but Speroni was quickly across to make another very good save.

It was Luke Steele's turn to perform miracles just seconds later after Clint Hill met Ambrose's corner and arrowed a header towards the top corner only for the Reds keeper to somehow claw the ball out of the goal.

The game swung again and another chance fell to the Reds on 14 minutes after Bobby Hassell had dropped a deep free kick into the heart of the Palace area. The ball fell for Hallfredsson at the far post but the midfielder got his angles all wrong and blazed his volley well wide.

Barnsley grabbed the opening goal on 20 minutes and it all came through hard work and determination from Anderson, who robbed Hill deep in the Palace half to put Bogdanovic in the clear. This time the Maltese striker did not make a mistake when through at Speroni and coolly slotted the ball into the net.

Moses showed the Barnsley defence his undoubted potential, albeit with the blatant use of a hand, on 24 minutes to force his way between Shotton and Darren Moore but again Steele was in no mood to be beaten and parried his effort away.

Palace could have been level on 38 minutes as Fonte made a nuisance of himself in the area before drilling the ball goalward only for Hassell to put his body on the line with a fine block.

Shotton picked up his fifth caution of the season just seconds later for a foul. It was a harsh booking and also keeps the defender out of the Preston trip which will end his loan spell a match early. Anderson was next to pick up a booking on 40 minutes after scything down Moses.

The Reds had a big shout for a penalty waved away on 43 minutes when Hallfredsson was manhandled to the ground by Nathaniel Clyne at the back post as he went to attack Hassell's cross.

The second half started scrappily as the Reds looked to frustrate Palace and turn a home crowd who were already on the edge. The moans and groans echoed around Selhurst Park as more passes went astray.

Barnsley were forced into a change on 50 minutes when Bogdanovic limped out of the action with what looked like a hamstring problem. Iain Hume replaced him.

Palace grabbed an equaliser they simply did not deserve on 52 minutes although it was a goal of real quality by Moses, who acrobatically volleyed into the net from 16 yards after Alan Lee had nodded down a deep free kick.

The Reds were almost back in front within seconds as a Hume free kick fizzed across the face of goal but neither Moore nor Anderson could get a vital touch. Hume again had Palace chasing shadows on 56 minutes as he raced through the heart of the home defence before Claude Davis' late tackle denied him a shot on goal.

Davis was a threat at the other end on 63 minutes as he juggled the ball well to find a yard of space but could not get his shot on target and blazed high over the bar. It was Barnsley's turn to go close on 67 minutes when Moore almost got on the end of Adam Hammill's free kick but an offside flag would have denied the defender a goal.

Palace then had a great opportunity to break the deadlock seconds later when the Reds were penalised for a handball right on the edge of the area. It was Ambrose who struck the free kick but it was on a par with his first half penalty and the ball flew high, high over.

Barnsley were almost made to pay for standing off as Moses took a quick throw when Ambrose raced away to cross from the byline but Hassell was in the right place to deflect the ball away. Only just.

A frustrated Hume picked up a caution on 81 minutes for a heavy challenge on Moses as the Reds could see three points slipping from their grasp and the temperature plummeted into Selhurst Park. It was almost nothing from Ambrose's free kick as Fonte arrived unmarked at the back stick but headed straight at Steele.

At the other end Hammill showed Hill a clean pair of heels moments later but could not find the finish to match his bursting, positive run onto Andy Gray's pass. Danns caught the Reds short on numbers on 82 minutes as he found Freddie Sears at the back post but again Steele was in the right place.

It was Speroni's turn to grab the headlines on 83 minutes as he somehow clawed Hallfredsson's 30-yard curler out of the top corner and over the bar. A set to between Dickinson and Derry earned both yellow cards as the clock ticked down but there was really nothing between either side in the end.

CRYSTAL PALACE: Speroni, Clyne, Hill, Derry, Fonte, Ambrose, Danns, Moses, Sears (Hills 90), Lee (Andrew 87), Davis.
Subs: Carle, Scannell, Ertl, Smith, N'Diaye.

BARNSLEY: Steele, Hassell, Shotton, Moore, Dickinson, Anderson (Hammill 66), Colace, Doyle, Hallfredsson, Gray, Bogdanovic (Hume 50).
Subs: Preece, Kozluk, Foster, Campbell-Ryce, Macken

by **NIGHTMARE** Wed 30 Dec - 5:34:27

BARNSLEY 2 (Foster 49, Colace 60)
MIDDLESBROUGH 1 (Hoyte 24)

AN outstanding second half display left Oakwell rocking as the Reds came from a goal down to bury The Boro.

Reds boss Mark Robins is forced into ringing the changes with Nathan Doyle, Ryan Shotton and Carl Dickinson all returning to their parent clubs since his side's last outing at Crystal Palace before Christmas. In came Rob Kozluk, Stephen Foster and Adam Hammill as the Reds looked to extend their decent recent run against a confident Middlesbrough buoyed by a Boxing Day demolition of Scunthorpe United.

The Reds were almost in front within the first two minutes as Hammill whipped in a fine cross from the last that left the Boro defence standing but the ball skipped past the far post. It was only a foot or so wide of finding the bottom corner.

It was Boro's turn to go close on eight minutes as the Reds stood off and allowed Julio Arca to fire one in from the edge of the box but Steele was quickly across to palm the ball away. Gary O'Neil then tried his luck on the volley from the edge of the box moments later but his shot flew well, well wide.

The game swung again down the other end on ten minutes and Jonathan Franks was a little lucky to get away with it as he appeared to use an arm to divert Bobby Hassell's cross away from Hammill and through to Danny Coyne. It was a little debateable.

It was a rip roaring start to the game and Anderson's tenacity drew a foul from Arca on 16 minutes to give Emil Hallfredsson the chance to shoot from distance. The Icelander could not beat Coyne from 30 yards. Hallfredsson again got a shot away a minute later from all of 35 yards but this time the ball skidded off the turf and flew well wide of Coyne's post.

It was sloppy by Barnsley on 21 minutes as Hugo Colace, Daniel Bogdanovic and Hallfredsson made a mess of clearing the danger right on the edge of the box and gave Justin Hoyte the chance to shoot. Hoyte fired well, well wide much to the relief of an embarrassed Reds trio.

Middlesbrough grabbed the lead just three minutes later with a total freak of a goal after Hoyte sent over a deep cross from the left touch line that somehow caught out Steele and ended up in the far top corner. It was a complete fluke.

The Reds responded with Bogdanovic firing high over on 26 minutes before Hammill, Gray and Bogdanovic combined well to give Colace a chance but his shot was well blocked away although Anderson was left screaming for a pass that would have put him clean through.

Boro midfielder Rhys Williams picked up a caution on the half hour mark after throwing himself to the ground in the area over Foster's challenge. Referee Andy Hall showed no hesitation in showing a yellow card for diving.

Steele had to be at his very best on 32 minutes to claw Johnson's driven cross away from his near post before Wheater picked up a booking seconds later for a crude challenge from behind on Gray.

The Reds then had a massive shout for a penalty waved away on 34 minutes when Gary O'Neil went through the back of Bogdanovic to take the ball in the area. It was a close call.

Barnsley were patient to the point of frustration in possession as Middlesbrough closed ranks although Hallfredsson did find a yard on 44 minutes to shoot but his left-footer flew high over the bar.

Enough was enough for Reds boss Robins as Hammill made way at half time. On came Jacob Butterfield into midfield and there was almost an instant response as Hallfredsson sent over a fine free kick moments after the start that Darren Moore met but somehow the Boro defence managed to hack the ball away off the line.

Hallfredsson again had Boro rocking on 49 minutes as he crossed well from the left for Bogdanovic to meet but Chris Riggott was in the right place to block clear. The equaliser came from Hallfredsson's corner as the ball fizzed across and Foster was in the right place to plant a header right into the far top corner.

Boro were shaken but were almost back in front on 53 minutes as O'Neil was given time and space in the area and his cheeky lob beat Steele but dropped onto the roof of the net. Arca then tried his luck from 30 yards moments later but his effort flew high over the top.

The Reds crafted an outstanding second goal just before the hour mark as Hallfredsson sent Bogdanovic away down the left wing. The Maltese striker took his time before picking out Colace's late run and the midfielder hammered a fine downward header past Coyne.

It was Boro's turn to dig deep and Williams drilled one just wide of the target on 63 minutes. O'Neil then fired one against the arm of Moore two minutes later as the visitors rallied.

Hallfredsson's delivery from set pieces was causing Boro all sorts of problems and the Icelander almost put number three on a plate for Bogdanovic on 68 minutes with a driven corner from the left but the visitors survived.

A rare second half slip by Bogdanovic presented Franks with a great chance on 74 minutes but Steele stood strong to parry his driven shot away. Butterfield, who had been outstanding the second half, picked up a yellow card on 77 minutes after a challenge through the back of Arca.

Still Boro pressed and probed and Johnson, who had disappeared from view in a tide of Red during the second half, lashed one well, well wide on 78 minutes.

Hassell almost found a magic third on 80 minutes after a gut bursting break by Colace. The ball fell nicely to Hassell on the edge of the area but he could not clip it past Coyne and into the far corner. Hallfredsson blotted his copy book a little on 82 minutes with a cynical hack on Tony McMahon to pick up a yellow card.

Barnsley had an absolutely blatant penalty waved away on 84 minutes when Williams scythed down Gray from behind in the area. It was an clear penalty and a real shocker of a decision by the officials.

Boro were living dangerously and Riggott escaped twice without a booking after felling both Gray and Bogdanovic as the pair both threatened to break through on goal. Boro's big chance to equalise came deep in injury time as Johnson drilled the ball across goal but Luke Williams could only fire over the bar from six yards out.

BARNSLEY: Steele, Hassell, Foster, Moore, Kozluk, Anderson, Colace, Hallfredsson, Hammill (Butterfield 45), Gray, Bogdanovic.
Subs: Preece, Campbell-Ryce, Macken, Hume, Potter, Thompson.

MIDDLESBROUGH: Coyne, McMahon, Riggott, Wheater, Hoyte, R. Williams, Arca, O'Neill, Franks (L. Williams 74), Johnson, Bent.
Subs: Steer, Taylor, Yeates, Emnes, Grounds, Bennett.

by **NIGHTMARE** Wed 13 Jan - 16:18:08

COVENTRY CITY 3 (Eastwood 23, Clingan 26, Morrison 90)
BARNSLEY 1 (Macken 49)

COVENTRY City can count themselves very, very lucky after the Reds battered the home side but somehow ended up on the losing side at the Ricoh Arena.

With all but half a dozen fixtures across the entire English game falling victim to the Big Freeze, credit has to go to the groundstaff at the Ricoh Arena who managed to get today's clash played despite the conditions. The pitch was an oasis of green in the middle of a Midlands winter wonderland as the country shivered as, while others fell, the Reds and Sky Blues prepared to lock horns at the Ricoh Arena.

Mark Robins made two changes to the side that let themselves down a little at Scunthorpe in the FA Cup last weekend as Jacob Butterfield and Andy Gray paid the price for the Reds' Glanford Park defeat. Back in came Darren Moore and Jon Macken as the Reds look to bounce back and extend their eight game unbeaten Championship run. It meant Ryan Shotton moving over to right back while Bobby Hassell switched to the middle of midfield.

Coventry handed former Barnsley winger Michael McIndoe the chance to impress against his former employers while Leon Best and Freddy Eastwood led the Sky Blues attack.

Although a lot of hard work was put in to ensure the game was played, the freezing conditions made it a treacherous trip to the Midlands for Barnsley supporters so it was a huge credit that 600 hardy fans braved the snow and ice to back their team at the Ricoh Arena.

The Reds were almost in front within a minute of the kick off as Anderson's deep corner dropped for Hassell in the area. Coventry somehow managed to stop his header reaching the back of the net and there was a massive shout for a penalty as Stephen Foster was pulled over in the side yard box. Referee Lee Mason was right on the spot and gave nothing. It was a very positive start from the men in red.

Barnsley went even closer on four minutes as another set piece, this time a deep Hassell free kick, had Coventry all over the place and Foster was able to meet the ball and look a header over Keiren Westwood but against the top of the cross bar.

The Reds fans made a real noise inside a half empty and silent Ricoh Arena and they were almost given more to shout about on 14 minutes as more kamikaze Sky Blues defending allowed Anderson to send Daniel Bogdanovic in behind Martin Cranie but Westwood was quickly across to make a very good low block. It needed to be.

Barnsley's best hope appeared to come from Leon Barnett who was having a first half nightmare against Macken, Bogdanovic and the ball as he made of things a real mess time and time again in the heart of the Coventry defence.

However, it was a howler of a punch clear by Luke Steele that gave Coventry their first real sight of goal on 19 minutes as he struggled to clear Sammy Clingan's cross but Leon Best could not capitalise on the ensuing chaos in the Barnsley area.

The Reds had Coventry all at sea again on 21 minutes as Anderson broke free down the right hand side and fizzed the ball back across Westwood but Bogdanovic could not get a touch at the far post although the flag was up.

City were again rocking from a set piece a minute later as Hassell's deep free kick caused absolute chaos in the Coventry penalty area. The ball eventually came out to Hugo Colace and the midfielder brought an outstanding low save from Westwood with a fine volley.

Coventry grabbed totally underserved lead on 24 minutes as the Reds struggled to deal with Stephen Wright's cross from the right hand side and Eastwood rose highest to meet the ball and nodded it past Steele into the bottom corner. It was a goal the home side never looked like getting in a million years after being well and truly second best in the opening exchanges.

Barnsley had another penalty appeal waved away on 26 minutes as Anderson skinned Clingan before breaking into the area only to have his heels clipped by the City midfielder. Referee Mason again waved away the Brazilians appeals.

It got even worse for the Reds on 26 minutes and it was a goal of a quality the home side just did not look capable of when Clingan's wonderful volley from McIndoe's half cleared corner left Steele stranded and rocketed into the back of the net.

Barnsley again found their footing on 36 minutes when Ryan Shotton hammered the ball across the face of goal and looked to give Bogdanovic a tap in at the back post only for Wright to slip and fall and win a very, very soft free kick to deny the striker a goal.

Hassell picked up a yellow card on 39 minutes after clashing with McIndoe although the ex-Oakwell winger's exaggerated fall to the ground probably did more to earn the caution than the challenge itself.

Coventry again had the rub of the green and the benefit of another refereeing decision when another howling clearance by Barnett rebounded into Bogdanovic and looked to put the Maltese striker through on goal only for the official to pull play back for a very harsh hand ball. Barnett got lucky again.

City almost wrapped things up in stoppage time as Clingan again found a yard on the edge of the box but was denied by Hassell's fine block. It led to a furious exchange between Hassell and Anderson as City prepared to put in the corner.

Despite the Reds decent first half showing, manager Mark Robins went for the jugular at half time throwing Adam Hammill and Iain Hume into the mix at the expense of Anderson and Bogdanovic. It was the right changes at the right time and immediately put Coventry on the back foot. The Reds almost pulled one back on 48 minutes as Hammill's cross fell to Hassell and Hume in the area but the Sky Blues did well to block the ball clear.

It did not matter as Hammill fired over a great cross seconds later for Macken to attack and plant an unstoppable header past Westwood and into the bottom corner. It was game on at the Ricoh Arena.

A foul by James McPake on Macken handed the Reds a great chance on 56 minutes as Hume, Hammill and Hassell lined up the free kick 25 yards from goal. In the end Hume dropped the ball beyond Hallfredsson's dive at the back stick. Hume almost got it right again on 57 minutes as his chip sent Colace away but Westwood was quickly off his line to grab the bouncing ball. It was all Barnsley again.

Another raking pass by Hammill caught Coventry napping on the hour mark as Hallfredsson stole in at the far post but the Icelander took a touch when he could have hammered it first time and the chance went begging. Barnsley laid siege to the Coventry goal as the error prone Sky Blues defence did their very best to gift the Reds a leveller. Hassell was only inches away on 65 minutes with a curler from 20 yards. Hallfredsson then saw a far post header deflect away from Westwood's goal a minute later. Hammill almost grabbed one on 67 minutes but was denied by an outstanding Westwood save when he met Hume's corner.

Coventry eventually threatened Steele's goal on 77 minutes when Carl Baker's cross almost fell for Best and Eastwood but a combination of Foster and Moore managed to smack the ball clear.

The Reds had the ball in the back of the net on 82 minutes after Hallfredsson barged his way past Wright before hammering a shot past Westwood but the referee had already pulled play back for a foul. Hallfredsson was never going to get away with that one.

The big chance came on 87 minutes when Macken flicked on Dickinson's long ball into Hume's path and the striker did well to hold off his man before curling a shot past Westwood but agonisingly inches wide of the far post.

Still Barnsley pushed on and Dickinson again had Coventry at sixes and sevens as his cross on 88 minutes was flicked into the mix by Hume. It fell to Macken but the striker could not turn it past Westwood as he was pulled all over in the area.

There were six minutes of stoppage time to be played when Coventry killed things off with a third goal Barnsley's dominance did not deserve. It came after Clinton Morrison, who looked yards offside, when he took on Baker's pass to bring a fine save from Steele. Best turned the rebound back into the six yard box and Morrison was on hand to nod home.

COVENTRY CITY: Westwood, Wright, Clingan, McPake, Bell (Baker 76), Best, Eastwood, Cranie, Gunnarsson (Morrison 83), McIndoe (Deegan 71), Barnett.
Subs: Konstantopoulos, Morrison, Hussey, Madine, Wood.

BARNSLEY: Steele, Shotton (Butterfield 84), Foster, Moore, Dickinson, Anderson (Hammill 45), Hassell, Colace, Hallfredsson, Macken, Bogdanovic (Hume 45).
Subs: Preece, Kozluk, Campbell-Ryce, Gray.

Attendance - 15,031
Away - 600

by **NIGHTMARE** Mon 1 Feb - 5:30:26

BARNSLEY 1 (Hallfredsson 7)
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY 2 (Spurr 3, Johnson 21)

REFEREE Andy Penn faced the wrath of the Oakwell faithful after his controversial display stole some of the thunder from a rollercoaster of a local derby.

Reds boss Mark Robins made two changes as he looked to get back on track with victory over South Yorkshire rivals Sheffield Wednesday. Out went Bobby Hassell and Anderson de Silva while new signing Nathan Doyle and Adam Hammill were given the chance to shoot down the Owls and Oakwell.

The Reds got off to the worst possible start with just three minutes on the clock as Luke Steele and Carl Dickinson made a complete mess of dealing with Michael Gray's near post corner. The ball broke loose in the area and Tommy Spurr was on hand to prod it into an empty net. It was the Wednesday fans left cheering as the Reds shipped another poor goal from a set piece.

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It was Wednesday keeper Lee Grant's turn to have a complete nightmare just four minutes later as he totally lost the flight of Emil Hallfredsson's swinging cross in the air and was left red faced as the ball ended up in the back of the net. You need a little bit of luck in derby matches and it was a complete fluke but the Reds were back on level terms.

It almost got even better for the Reds on 12 minutes as Dickinson's clearance beat the Owls defence to send Daniel Bogdanovic clear but the striker was crowded out of it and could only prod the ball at Grant.

Barnsley put the Owls under pressure again a minute later as Beevers was forced to foul Jon Macken on the edge of the box but Hammill's free kick smacked into the wall and Doyle could not keep his effort down on the rebound.

The Reds really should have been in front on 16 minutes when Darren Purse had a nightmare trying to deal with Doyle's clearance and his woeful header left Bogdanovic with a clear run on goal. The Maltese striker uncharacteristically could not find a finish and shot straight at Grant.

Another good chance came and went two minutes later as skipper Stephen Foster rose highest to meet Hammill's corner at the back post but his header cannoned into the deck and bounced agonisingly over the bar.

It was a rip-roaring first half and Tuday's pass put James O'Connor through on 20 minutes but Steele was in fine form to deflect his well-driven shot off the bar and away from danger.

Tudgay was the architect of Wednesday's second goal just moments later as his flick opened the Barnsley defence wide, wide open to put Jermaine Johnson clean through on goal. The winger did not need a second invitation to lash the ball past Steele.

It took 24 minutes but referee Andy Penn courted controversy when Purse blatantly felled Hallfredsson in the area as the Reds midfielder looked to trick his way into a shooting position. It was a clear trip but referee Penn gave nothing. If it wasn't a penalty then why wasn't Hallfredsson booked for diving?

It was a typical blood and thunder local derby and Doyle again tested his shooting boots on 32 minutes as he volleyed high over the bar from the edge of the box. Ryan Shotton picked up the first caution of the afternoon 35 minutes when he was late in on Gray on the touchline.

Barnsley went close to a deserved equaliser on 38 minutes when Foster again rose highest to head a Hammill corner goalward but Beevers was in the right place to head off the line. Just about.

Steele was called to make a save in stoppage time as Johnson threatened to break clear before shooting low from 25 yards. It was a simple stop for the Reds number one.

Johnson tested Steele again just seconds after the restart after finding a yard of space midway through the Reds half but again the Reds keeper was in the right place to make a comfortable save. Doyle again shot high over the bar moments later at the other end after showing great tenacity to fashion an opening on the edge of the Owls penalty area.

Darren Potter was booked on 56 minutes after he ended Hammill's determined run with a crude challenge 30 yards from goal. Dickinson smashed a low free kick into the wall. At the other end Johnson fired a low one in at Steele a minute later after cutting in a little too easily from the right hand side.

Johnson was extremely lucky to escape a caution on 59 minutes when he needlessly pushed Foster off the pitch and into the Sheffield Wednesday supporters behind Steele's goal.

It was all or nothing on 65 minutes as the Red made a triple change with Bogdanovic, Macken and Hallfredsson making way for Iain Hume, Andy Gray and Jamal Campbell-Ryce.

Campbell-Ryce had an instant impact on the game when he was unceremoniously kicked up in the air by O'Connor. The Wednesday midfielder was booked.

Johnson almost finished it on 76 minutes as Wednesday hit the Reds on a quick counter and only Doyle's last-gasp deflection prevented the winger from finding the back of the net.

Referee Penn gave Wednesday another big decision on 78 minutes when Purse clearly handled Hume's flick right on the edge of the box. It was blatant again but the Owls got away with it much to Mark Robins' dismay.

Wednesday had the rub of the green again from the referee on 84 minutes when Tom Soares appeared to handle in the area as the Owls struggled to clear the danger. There was little surprise this time when nothing was given.

BARNSLEY: Steele, Shotton, Foster, Moore, Dickinson, Hammill, Colace, Doyle, Hallfredsson (Campbell-Ryce 65), Macken (Gray 65), Bogdanovic (Hume 65).
Subs: Preece, Kozluk, Butterfield, Anderson.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY: Grant, Spurr, Buxton, Purse, Tudgay, Potter, Beevers, O'Connor, Johnson (Sodje 87), Soares, Gray.
Subs: McAllister, Esajas, Lekaj, Simek, Boden, Jameson

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