Barnsley on Sky

paul.d · Sep 20, 2006

<placename w:st="on">Nottingham</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Forest</placetype> 0 - 2 <place w:st="on">Barnsley</place>

Barnsley demonstrated their promotion credentials with a comfortable win that ended <place w:st="on"><placename w:st="on">Nottingham</placename> <placetype w:st="on">Forest</placetype></place>'s fine run of home form and cast doubt on their hopes of challenging for a return to the Championship.

Andy Ritchie's side cruised to a 2-0 success over <place w:st="on">Forest</place>, who had been the pre-season title favourites.



It had only been Forest's fine form at the City Ground that had kept them on the shirt tails of the promotion pack, following a run of ten straight away games without a win.

But, for the first time since early September, when Brentford triumphed on the banks of the River Trent, <place w:st="on">Forest</place> lost at home, and could have few complaints.



One of the low points of Forest's season had been provided by <place w:st="on">Barnsley</place>, with a 2-0 defeat at Oakwell in September that was enough to prompt Gary Megson to offer his resignation.



But, given their home form, few would have expected the visitors to record a double over the summer title favourites.

That seemed the likely outcome, however, as Ritchie's side made the brighter start and seemed early on to have found the key to unlock the <place w:st="on">Forest</place> defence.



Three times in the first 15 minutes, Barnsley were able to find gaps in the home defence and it was no surprise when the visitors went ahead.Paul Hayes had already fired a warning across the Forest bows, with a driven low shot that Paul Gerrard was well placed to save.



But it was not heeded by Forest who, within a matter of moments, were caught napping again, this time as a Hayes provided the flick on from a Matt Carbon ball from defence, to send Marc Richards racing clear.And the striker made no mistake, drawing Gerrard off his line before firing a powerful shot that rose over the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.



It could have been worse for Forest, as Chris Shuker broke clear down the right and angled into the box, before striking a rising effort that hit the side netting.Nathan Tyson, as ever, was <place w:st="on">Forest</place>'s most dangerous threat. After striking an effort just wide prior to the Barnsley goal the striker then broke clear of the visiting defence, with Paul Reid failing in an attempt to bring him down, but the former Wycombe man fired wildly over the bar.



But it was a mistake at the other end that was to be instrumental in <place w:st="on">Barnsley</place> adding a second, as Wes Morgan lingered too long in possession and allowed Richards to rob him and charge towards goal for a second time.



It produced the same result, as the striker again provided a sublime finish, sending a dipping shot over Gerrard and into the back of the net.



It could have been even worse for <place w:st="on">Forest</place>, as Shuker twice came close to adding a third, with one effort in particular flying only inches wide of the post after the home defence again proved fragile.



<place w:st="on">Forest</place> provided sterner resistance after the break, with Grant Holt forcing a strong save from keeper Nick Colgan and Tyson again coming close with a rising shot.



But it was <place w:st="on">Barnsley</place> who remained in control and who looked the more likely to score, with Neil Austin only being denied by the bar.



Luton 1-3 <place w:st="on">Barnsley</place>

Three goals in nine minutes from Barnsley prompted a stumble in <place w:st="on">Luton</place>'s charge for Championship football.

Luton suffered only their second home defeat in the League this season as <place w:st="on">Barnsley</place> swept the Hatters aside during a purple patch in the closing stages of the first half.

 

Three goals in nine minutes began when Chris Shuker tucked in a rebound from close range and he doubled the advantage moments later when a snap shot was deflected inside a post by Curtis Davies, whose slip shortly afterwards allowed Michael Chopra to advance on goal and finish in style from the edge of the penalty area.



Enoch Showunmi netted what proved to be a consolation goal for <place w:st="on">Luton</place> with a low drive from 20 yards shortly after the hour.

<place w:st="on">Barnsley</place> continued to pose a threat and the Hatters were heading for defeat when defender Chris Coyne was sent off 18 minutes from the end for a foul on Chopra.



There was still time for Chopra to miss a penalty though, with Hatters' keeper Marlon Beresford saving the spot kick and then using his legs to deny Shuker a hat trick late on.

Nevertheless, it was Barnsley's day and Luton could be left licking their wounds further if <place w:st="on"><city w:st="on">Hull</city></place> replace them at the top of League One by beating Port Vale.



Manager Mike Newell was disappointed with his team's performance.

"We didn't compete or get the ball down and pass it the way we normally can."

"There are no easy games in this League or this country and <place w:st="on">Barnsley</place> have proved that today" he said.

"They caused us a threat today but we also posed ourselves a bit of a problem. We didn't compete or get the ball down and pass it the way we normally can .... I never felt that we were about to make the breakthrough."



As to why the Hatters didn't compete, Newell said that sometimes these things just happen, but he hopes it won't happen again.



"You just can't put your finger on it sometimes" he said.



"I hope it wasn't because of the television but sometimes that has an effect on people. We just weren't at it from the word go today. Every team has those days.... today we hope was our one and only."

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