Many were saying it was D-Day for Simon Davey, that could well have been true, but nothing less than 3 points would have done for the Reds in a South Yorkshire derby at Oakwell. 15,000 fans watched as Doncaster took an 11th minute lead through a baffling decision. James Coppinger managed to clip in a cross from the left, and a whole host of bodies clattered into one another on the line. Rover's Lewis Guy crashed into the post and the referee pointed to the spot. The Barnsley camp was furious, but had to stand and watch as Brian Stock duly despatched of the penalty, despite the best efforts of Heinz Muller. Barnsley were on top for most of the first half, without really looking threatening. First Rob Kozluk fired a volley low towards the bottom corner, only for Neil Sullivan to somehow get down to it and palm it around the post for a corner. Next, Dennis Souza managed to get his head to a Devaney cross. The ball looked to be heading for the top corner, but once again, Sullivan threw himself across goal and tipped the ball over for another corner. Barnsley continued to press, but the goal was still eluding them. Coppinger fired a shot at goal late on, but Muller tipped it over for a corner, as Rovers got their first real attack of the game under way. Second Half With the score at 0-1, and the Reds fans shouting for manager Simon Daveys head, things looked to have gone from bad to worse as Rovers Lewis Guy ran through only for Darren Moore to pull him back and receive his marching orders from the referee. Had Moore not done this, Guy would've been one on one and had he scored, there would probably have been no way back for the Reds. The sending off seemed to spark Barnsley into life. A free kick was drifted into the box by Kozluk, and Dennis Souzas header across goal was met by Steve Foster who directed the ball down into the bottom corner, through the legs of a Rovers defender and into the net, to the delight of the Oakwell faithful. Barnsley were well on top now, and man of the match Jamal Campbell-Ryce was running the show. Literally. His storming run from half way was phenomenal. He beat 4 Rovers players before cutting inside on the edge of the box, and firing a right footed drive past Sullivan and into the bottom corner. Oakwell rose to it's feet in delirium. 10 minutes later, Campbell-Ryce was at it again. Another run from an identical position saw him beat 2 Rovers players, before running into the area. He cut the ball back for Devaney, who side footed a shot towards the bottom corner. His shot was saved by Sullivan, but the ball fell to the feet of substitute Jon Macken, who had the simplest of tasks of tucking the ball into the half empty goal. 3-1 with 10 men, and some good football being played. With 5 minutes to go, Anderson De Silva went on a mazy run from midfield, beating a couple of Rovers players, before finding Iain Hume some 20 yards out. He looked up, before curling an unstoppable shot past Sullivan and into the top left hand corner. A moment of pure class from the Canadian international. Barnsley introduced youngster Reuben Noble-Lazarus for the last 5 minutes, as the Oakwell crowd partied in the stands. A decent performance throughout by the Reds, especially in the last 40 minutes where some great football simply made Doncaster look shocking. Finally, the good build up play was rewarded with goals, and 3 welcome points were heading back to Oakwell. ...Now, for Crystal Palace a week on Saturday. COME ON YOU REDS!!!
You should write for Barnsley football weekly mate Your report of the first half would sit excellently in there.
You ought to hear Barry Murphy's diatribe after the game. Reminded me of Hitler.</p> I think its fair to say he doesn't like Moore though.</p>
Brilliant, absolutely brilliant! Muller was brilliant, Foster was brilliant, Kozluk was brilliant, Devaney was brilliant, JCR was very brilliant, the two lads up front were brilliant, Anderson was extermely brilliant, Davey was brilliant, the whole team were brilliant. Negative so and so that Barry Murphy.
The return of match reports - commendable. Thank you Whatever happened to the last bloke who used to do them ...... Tee Hee
RE: You should write for Barnsley football weekly mate it certainly was'nt the first half that we were watching
Sounds like a good game, shame it was'nt today's, far too biased........ Donny's 1st half Tarn's 2nd.