Fantastic Town went goal bonkers this afternoon, giving Barnsley a tremendous tonking. 6-1 it ended, however it could realistically have been eleven or twelve with Tykes keeper Kevin Miller making several excellent saves.
Town dominated from start to finish with Barnsley, who had hit six themselves on Saturday, looking very poor indeed.
Town went ahead in the 14th minute when a David Johnson header beat Kevin Miller to his right.
The second came ten minutes later through Mark Venus. Veno hammered home from close range after a goalmouth scramble. Town continued to put pressure on Dave Bassett's side and it came as little surprise when Richard Naylor notched his fourth goal of the season just before half-time.
Barnsley had clearly had a right rollocking from Dave Bassett at half-time and actually had some of the play during the early stages of the second half.
Town should have added to their total halfway through the second half but a string of saves from Kevin Miller kept the score vaguely respectable including one from an excellent Fabian Wilnis shot.
It took until the 73rd minute for Town to get the fourth. A lovely header from James Scowcroft beat Miller from about eight yards out. Two minutes later David Johnson added his second and Town's fifth. Johnno picked up the ball some yards out and headed for goal rounding Miller on his way. Probably the best goal of the day.
By now Town were coasting and the North Stand was in party mood. George Burley and Tony Mowbray were asked to give a wave and obliged. From there all three other stands gave a wave, the Barnsley fans sportingly joined in as did (surprisingly) the referee and a linesman. Kevin Miller, however, wasn't feeling quite so jovial.
With Town laid back to Des Lynam degrees Barnsley were allowed to get one back through McClare. The North Stand cheered the goal almost as much as the remaining Barnsley fans.
Jim Magilton added a sixth after coming on as sub late on. A fine run down the left from Johnson ended with him laying the ball back for the Ulsterman who neatly shot home. The second time this year that Town have scored six, having previously given Swindon a hammering in April.
The best performance of the season then, and against one of the sides many thought would be promotion challengers. With Norwich lucky to get a point at the mighty Walsall and bottom of the League things are looking good at the moment aren't they?
R Wright 8 Little to do
Wilnis 7 Better performance (Stockwell 81)
Clapham 8 Did well down left
Thetis 7 Good forward runs
Venus 8 Excellent first half
(Brown 46th minute 7 Another good performance)
McGreal 8 Rock solid
Holland 8 Typical Matt performance
J Wright 8 Completely in control of midfield (Magilton 81)
Scowcroft 8 Lovely headed goal
Johnson 9 On fire
Naylor 9 Back to form
Subs not used: Salmon and Axeldal