Was it just me that thought the 2nd goal was better than the first? ( & match report)

Absolutely fantastic run from Halifredsson, a through-ball to a striker who was actually making a run (shock horror) and a clinical finish one-on-one.

I almost didn't go tonight and I'm glad I did. It was a complete fiasco getting tickets - in fact they cut the queue off straight after me and my brother and told any other Barnsley fans that there were no more tickets. Despite the fact there were a fair few empty seats - go figure. Got into the ground 10 minutes in and for 15 minutes we didn't get out of our own half.

First goal for them - probably let them get the cross in too easily but in fairness it was a very good cross and a towering header - these things do happen. Thankfully, when presented with an even easier chance shortly afterwards, Hulse somehow managed to head wide - fear the game may have been killed off if that had gone in.

Then Hammill's bit of magic. Difficult to tell how far out he was from our end of the ground but perfectly curled in - saw it on the screen in the ground at FT and Byfield got fingers to it but it went in off the post. Robins went crazy too, which was nice to see.

2nd half and I thought Halifredsson and Gray were just superb. Gray is everything we've been missing - he holds the ball up, he can finish, and he works his socks off. His assist for Anderson's goal was just brilliant too. But Halifredsson had a great game and I really hope he's not badly hurt, he drives forward but he also has the strength to hold off challenges, and clearly has some awareness.

The main difference for me was that, when 2-1 up and getting a little defensive, we still looked ORGANISED. Something which never happened under Davey. Even Kozluk came up trumps 2nd half and produced his best half in a red shirt in a long time. Just a great feeling when Anderson walked that ball in, though I swear he tripped over it at least twice and it worked in his favour!

Preece- didn't put a foot wrong. Some suggested he should have come for the first goal but having seen it on the screen in the ground, it curled away far enough to stop him from doing so.

Hassell - Back to form tonight for him, superb.

Foster - Not quite at his best, but better than he has been.

Moore - Hulse proved a handful (was delighted when he was replaced) but Moore stuck to the task well and defended manfully again.

Kozluk - Awful first half, much better 2nd half. Thats better than his recent "awful in both halves" routine that he's been putting on this season so I'll take it.

Hume - Not particularly dangerous but worked hard as ever and its just great to see him starting games again.

Halifredsson - My man of the match tonight probably, very good and hope the injury isn't serious.

Colace - He can be sloppy in possession sometimes but I still think we look much more disciplined with him in the side.

Butterfield - Showed some fight, spirit and a hell of a lot of effort tonight, to go with some undoubted quality on the ball. This kid, if he keeps working hard on his defensive game, could become an asset to us.

Hammill - Back to his loan form. Direct, running at people, and a truly superb strike. Helped Kozluk out defensively, impressed me tonight.

Gray - Simply put, he's exactly what we've been missing.

Certainly shouldn't get carried away but we''ve scored 3 goals and won away from home, so I feel justified in my renewed optimism tonight. The fine margins are there for all to see (Hulse's missed header could have killed off the game) but there looked to be a massive pressure release when we scored and if we can build on this with a win on Saturday, how much better will we all feel?

Come on you reds.

 

For the first ten minutes that you missed

We were much the better team and had all the possession. You'll probably find that hard to believe as they battered us for the next twenty minutes.

 

The lad behind me said that...

and I responded with "well we probably won't get out of our own half for the rest of the game."

For 20 minutes I thought I was going to be proved right. Well, thats 2 away wins for me this year (Lincoln and tonight) which is more than I've seen for a while. A home win would be nice though!

What did you make of the individuals on show? Thought Hassell, Moore, Halifredsson, Hammill and Gray all showed how useful they can be tonight but 2nd half, everyone did their jobs well, which made a real change.

Was chuffed they took Hulse off though.

 

I thought everyone played well

Kozluk not so much in the first half (he was poor to be honest) but he performed well in the second. Colace was OK but I was almost certain he was going to get sent off. Some of Hallfredsson's runs were a joy and I really rated Butterfield who never stopped running. They all put a shift in though. Can't remember the last time I enjoyed a game as much as tonight's.

 

RE: I thought everyone played well

I was certain Colace would get sent off too, more or less every tackle he went in for he nearly took the players legs.