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Barnsley 2-2 Town
Saturday, 8th Feb 2014 17:11

Christophe Berra and David McGoldrick were on target in the 81st and 84th minutes as Town came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Barnsley. Chris O’Grady's 12th minute strike saw the Tykes into a half-time lead and sub Tomasz Cywka’s 74th minute freekick added to their advantage before the Blues’ late fightback.

Mick McCarthy named an unchanged side with new signing Paul Green amongst the subs. Striker Paul Taylor made the trip but was sent home by the physio prior to the match as he is suffering with an abscess.

In a strong, swirling wind, the game’s first chance fell to the home side in the sixth minute. Stephen Hunt was caught in possession not far outside the Town area by Stephen Dawson, who found O’Grady behind the Blues backline but onside inside the box. The ex-Rochdale man stabbed well wide and will feel he at least should have tested Dean Gerken in the Blues goal.

McGoldrick struck Town’s first shot through to Barnsley keeper Luke Steele from 25 yards in the 10th minute but he claimed comfortably.

With the match still to settle into a pattern, the wind and difficult surface made mistakes common place, the home side took the lead in the 12th minute.

Town had failed to clear an earlier threat and O’Grady twisted and turned on the edge of the box before hitting a low shot across the motionless - and probably unsighted - Gerken and into the corner of the net. It was the Tykes' top scorer's 11th of the season.

The Blues were within inches of getting back on terms in the 18th minute from a freekick 25 yards out after Dawson had fouled Hunt. Aaron Cresswell — who scored a freekick in last year’s corresponding fixture — slammed his strike beyond Steele to his left but off his post. Town subsequently won two corners but were unable to create an opening.

McCarthy’s men were starting to get on top and in the 23rd minute threatened again when Hunt sent in a cross from the right but neither Daryl Murphy nor Frank Nouble was able to add the final touch in the six-yard box.

Jim O’Brien saw a shot blocked at the other end, before Gerken was unceremoniously clattered as he punched a cross away from goal. On the half hour, McGoldrick scuffed a shot well wide from the edge of the box.

There was a big scare for the Blues in the 35th minute when Jack Hunt sent in a dangerous low cross from the right but O’Grady and strike partner Nick Proschwitz were unable to get in clean shots at goal.


On 39 Nouble won the ball from O’Grady midway inside the Barnsley half but scuffed a weak 25-yard shot to Steele, who was yet to be troubled, aside from Cresswell’s freekick.

But the Blues were looking the more dangerous side as the half moved into its closing stages, Murphy just being crowded out on the edge of the six-yard box having been found by Hunt.

Then, shortly before the whistle, from the second of two corners, Tommy Smith headed powerfully down but wide when he will believe he should have hit the target.

Town could have few complaints at the scoreline at the break with the visitors having played the better football and created the game’s two best two chances in open play. The Blues were perhaps fortunate that O’Grady had spurned his first opportunity, while the goal was one which looked very preventable.

Other than Cresswell’s excellent freekick, the Blues had failed to test Tykes’ keeper Steele, despite having a fair amount of the ball in the final third.

Barnsley switched the ineffective Brek Shea for Cywka at the break, Four minutes after the restart, Hunt made a strong run through the middle of the Tykes’ defence before being forced off the ball. A minute later, Jay Tabb shot over from the edge of the box from Cresswell’s pass.

On 51 Paul Anderson replaced Nouble, taking up the right-sided role in a four-man midfield, then moments later, after a corner had been cleared to the edge of the box, Cole Skuse hit a low shot just wide.

Town were beginning to look more dangerous and on 54 Skuse went close again when Hunt crossed from the left, having been sent away by a quick McGoldrick throw. Keeper Steele got to it ahead of Murphy and the ball fell to Skuse eight yards out but under pressure the midfielder’s strike flew well over. The former Bristol City man will feel he ought to have opened his Town goals account.

The Blues were looking a much improved side since the break and in the 64th minute again went close to getting back on terms. Hunt crossed low from the left and Anderson slammed the ball just wide at the near post.

Two minutes later Steele saved a 25-yard Murphy strike, then did well to stop Anderson’s effort from the rebound from a tight angle on the right. McGoldrick subsequently scraped a shot wide from the 18-yard line.

In the 70th minute, with rain by now falling heavily, Tom Kennedy headed a Cresswell cross from the left away ahead of Murphy. From the resultant corner, Steele saved Smith’s header at the far post from a tight angle.

New signing Paul Green replaced Tabb in the 73rd minute as Barnsley prepared to take the freekick on the left from which they scored their second goal. Cywka hammered a 25-yard shot which deflected off McGoldrick before beating Gerken.

The goal was harsh on the Blues who had been the better side since half-time, although the Tykes had defended well and Steele had made one or two important saves.

Murphy shot wide, then in the 80th minute sent over a deep cross to the far post, which was nodded behind. From the corner, a Barnsley defender forced Steele to tip wide.

From that flagkick, Town finally pulled a goal back. Smith headed Anderson’s right-wing corner goalwards, O’Brien blocked on the line but Berra hooked the loose ball into the roof of the net from a couple of feet to grab his third goal of the season.

The Blues were within an inch or so of getting level in the 83rd minute when Murphy crossed from the left and Hunt’s flick just flew past the far post. Anything more on the ball and Town would have been on terms.

However, the equaliser was only a minute away. McGoldrick was brought down by Martin Cranie 25 yards out towards the left. Cresswell tapped the ball to the Town top scorer, who lashed his 16th goal of the season past Steele via a deflection.

The Blues went looking for the winner and in the final minute of scheduled time debutant Green came close to grabbing it. Hunt volleyed back across goal from the left and the ball fell to the on-loan Leeds man, whose effort on goal from eight yards was blocked.

With the game in five minutes of injury time O’Brien hit a low shot which failed to trouble Gerken, but neither side was able to claim a winner, with the Blues by now appearing happy with a point, before referee Darren Bond blew his whistle.

While Barnsley had been the better side before the break, their second goal had come somewhat against the run of play with the Blues improving in the second half.

Town hadn’t deserved to be two goals behind and once Berra had netted his goal the momentum firmly swung towards the visitors and on the overall balance of play the Blues were worth the point they claimed via McGoldrick’s 16th of the campaign.

The result and six-placed Reading’s 2-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday leaves the Blues in seventh but now only three points from the play-off zone.

Barnsley: Steele, Hunt (Woods 73), Ramage, Cranie, Dawson, O’Brien, Jennings, Shea (Cywka 46), O’Grady, Proschwitz (Lawrence 77). Subs: Turner, Nyatanga, McCourt, Pedersen.

Town: Gerken, Chambers, Berra, Smith, Cresswell, Tabb (Green 74), Skuse, Hunt, Nouble (Anderson 51), McGoldrick, Murphy. Subs: Loach, Mings, Richardson, Edwards, Wordsworth, Green. Referee: Darren Bond (Lancashire). Att: 9,929 (Town: 817).


Photo: Action Images



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TractorCam added 17:15 - Feb 8
Sounds like we were the better team and deserved the win, but when you're 2-0 down with 10 minutes remaining you can't complain at a point, COYB.
12

michael99 added 17:16 - Feb 8
Hope we get rid of this little scroat Taylor soon,terrible player with a suspect personal life and i suspect a terrible attitude also (a bit like chopra)GET RID ASAP the problem is noboby is going to give us anything for him will have to loan or give away/settle contract...p.s to all who rave about him and want him in the team look at his football league record 74 games 13 goals a goal every 5.69 games hardly prolific is he?why did we pay 1.5mil for this waster?
-28

h32 added 17:18 - Feb 8
Mick's mission accomplished - but why back off at 2-2 ?? (noticeably apparently).

Good comeback tho' - bit more flair perhaps and that shouldn't have been necessary against a lowly Barnsley side.
5

tractordownsouth added 17:18 - Feb 8
Good point considering the circumstances. But if we are to maintain a serious play off challenge we need to beat teams like Barnsley. It could have closed the gap so much more with 3 points as Reading lost. We need the urgency, but before we go two behind because we are capable but it is frustrating that we are very inconsistent
16

ChrisMakin2012 added 17:19 - Feb 8
Mike McCarthy
4

ITFCBlue94 added 17:21 - Feb 8
We showed real determination today to come from 2-0 down away from home to gain a point, but I feel we missed out on taking advantage of Readings loss. Only 3 points of the play-offs now and things are looking promising. COYB!!
11

BillBlue added 17:28 - Feb 8
Yes Chris, you are dead right, but why start with a team of ten?
4

smithy91 added 17:29 - Feb 8
Whilst a great comeback with 10 mins to go, it was against 2nd bottom and other teams were dropping points around us. With teams playing midweek we could drop to 9th by next weekend, and also the next few fixtures look really tough for us! So in that regard its disappointing we didnt get the win, as playoffs would of been a point off and a 3 point cushion over our nearest rivals gained. Mick seems to settle for a point again when pushing for it may of paid off- frustrating when flirting with the playoffs! Good to see the character to get back into the game though- something we havent always had.
7

alfromcol added 17:29 - Feb 8
Turned the radio off as I couldn't bare to listen to Alex Murphy any more, turned on with a minute to go and great to hear I had missed 2 goals. Grandson at the game, said usual game of 2 halves, 1 useless and 1 good. COYBs
-1

TractorBoy666 added 17:29 - Feb 8
We need to beat teams near the bottom, but I wont complain with a 2-2 draw after going 2 behind. But why sit off when we rattled Barnsley? It's all good going to places and getting an away point but they were there for the taking. However a win next week, and hopefully a QPR win next week and we can close the gap on 6th spot. So many teams are involved at the minute so who knows. COYB
5

martleshamitfc added 17:29 - Feb 8
Well done to get a point, but opportunity missed to put pressure on other play off contenders who dropped points as well. Need to win these games!
16

floridaboy added 17:30 - Feb 8
To come back from 2 down says a lot about this current squad of players and the management team of MM and TC.

Well done the boys.

Personally I would be happy if Taylor left the club. Do we have another Chopra in the squad. Would to love the reason for him not going to Portugal!
2

jas0999 added 17:31 - Feb 8
The sort of game we need to win if play offs are going to be a reality. BUT when two goals down and having played poorly for the first 45 minutes, to get a point is good. Having said that, we missed many chances and the midfield failed to score again. Great determination and glad to see our heads didn't drop.
7

TimmyH added 17:31 - Feb 8
Nice to see us show a bit of steely resolve and get a point out of this and by all accounts we were the better team (going by shots on target and possession) but as already mentioned should we be in that position in the first place against a lowly team?
Had an opportunity to put pressure on Reading who surprisingly lost at home and have to say what would we do if we lost McGoldrick during the summer...he's been pivital for us scoring goals at home and away. Opportunity missed!
4

billlm added 17:32 - Feb 8
from 2-0 down you have nothing to get to 2-2 and not push on in added time for the winner we are the only team to settle for a point in the top 7 and that's why we wont break the top 6 at the end of the season. not saying in this league its a great effort to come back it very much is I just feel slightly deflated in not pushing on
5

billlm added 17:34 - Feb 8
billblue totally agree ten is our starting figure everyweek roll on seb being fit then we will have 11 I know who your talking about and mm will have seb any day
5

tractorboy12341234 added 17:39 - Feb 8
To get into the play-offs teams should be aiming at the 70 point mark. Ipswich at the half way point had 35. Although some think the result today was disappointing head-to-head wise we are better this half than the last half, we are still in touch with Reading and Forest and when a lot of teams would have accepted defeat today we came back and won a point! COYB!
7

BillBlue added 17:44 - Feb 8
99Plonk - yes you are that boring!
-3

Popeye added 17:46 - Feb 8
Apart from poor dental hygiene, two other causes of abcesses are starchy food and sugary drinks so surely a subway and a regular coke is not the sort of food taylor should be tucking into!
0

hogster1970 added 17:46 - Feb 8
we will stand a chance to flirt with the play offs if we start with 11 men o n the pitch, the love child on there we always have a hand behind our back, once he went and went to a more dynamic 4 4 2 then we started to play football again and got the two goals, a shame we lifted our foot oif the gas and we had them against the wall, and they came back into it, i would rather keep going and get a winner atleast worst case scanario is a draw if we concede rather than a loose, imagine that today, but a worthy point, start with the finishing team for blackpool and lets rip them apart, and would still rather have taylor in the side than the lovechild any day of the week
4

StuartBrett8 added 17:50 - Feb 8
Decent result all things considered, please start with 442 every week Big Mick, Green & Skuse in the middle :)
-2

brittaniaman added 17:55 - Feb 8
McNouble worked hard apparently but no end result again ?????????
We should be beating teams like this as most other teams have done it ?????
4

JWM added 17:58 - Feb 8
No team has the god given right to win especially away from home so I find these comments about it being only Barnsley rather silly! Any point away from home is a good point and the huge positive from today is that we snatched a point from a seemingly hopeless position. We still find ourselves in a decent position and we have close the gap on sixth.

I know it is a completely alien concept to many on here but let's keep positive and move on to the next game! Mick is working wonders and long may it continue. COYB
3

runaround added 18:11 - Feb 8
Not good enough if we are serious about getting top 6. Barnsley were in a poor run of form & were there for the taking yet once again we fail to do enough going forward. Top get a point when you are 2 nil down with 10 minutes to go may seem like a point gained, but we created enough chances to have won but missed chances or played the wrong ball, so it still feels like 2 points dropped. Some may point to the fact that Reading lost so we gained a point on them, but that makes it even more annoying as a win today would have really put us in the hunt.
A win Saturday is an absolute must as I cannot see Reading messing up too many more times
3

Fat_Boy_Tim added 18:12 - Feb 8
Well played to come back from 2 down, re Taylor, are there some facts I don't know suggesting he isn't ill with an abscess? It needs to be said that we went away from home and played 3 up front (more out of necessity, ie not throwing PG in from the start a day after he arrived than a tactical point of view) to a team lower in the league than us and went 2 down. We pulled it back playing 442. People have been bleating on about us being more positive against struggling teams but the fact is that there is barely a gnats chuff between us and a team like Barnsley. I would much rather we had gone for a more conservative 442 and ground out a 1-0.

Sensible management has got us to the edge of the playoffs to date, not the gung-ho approach favoured by the pre-teens commenting on here along with those harking back to Sir Alf or Sir Bobby when crap teams really were crap and not the professional outfits bottom of the league teams are today.
5


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