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Barnsley 1-2 Ipswich Town - Match Report
Saturday, 12th Aug 2017 17:07

Half-time subs David McGoldrick and Martyn Waghorn scored the goals which saw Town come from a goal behind to win 2-1 against Barnsley at Oakwell. Tom Bradshaw put the Tykes in front in the 15th minute but after a reshuffle at the break, McGoldrick volleyed home an equaliser on 53 and debutant Waghorn sealed the three points in the 70th minute as Town recorded three wins in their opening three games of a season for the first time since 2002/03.

Midfielders Flynn Downes and Tristan Nydam kept their places in the Town midfield, but Grant Ward and defender Tommy Smith both missed out.

Ward picked up a kick to the calf in last weekend’s 1-0 victory over Birmingham, while Smith missed Tuesday’s 2-0 Carabao Cup win at Luton with a sore back but it’s believed he may have suffered a hamstring injury in training.

The New Zealand international’s absence saw Jonas Knudsen continue as the left-sided centre-half in the back three with skipper Luke Chambers in the middle and Jordan Spence on the right. Dominic Iorfa and Myles Kenlock were the wing-backs with Bartosz Bialkowski in goal.

Downes, who was making his first league start, was alongside Cole Skuse in the deeper midfield roles with Nydam, making his league debut having made his senior bow on Tuesday, was ahead of them and behind front pair Joe Garner and Freddie Sears.

McGoldrick, who scored twice at Kenilworth Road, Bersant Celina, Waghorn and young defender Luke Woolfenden were among the subs.

Barnsley included new Harvey Barnes, who signed on loan from Leicester yesterday and who Town were also believed to be eyeing, among their substitutes.

The Blues won an early corner but it was the home side who created the game’s first opening. Knudsen cut out a cross from the right but only found George Moncur, whose shot was spilled by one-time Tykes loanee Bartosz Bialkowski. The loose ball reached Bradshaw but he could only head into Bialkowski’s arms.

Barnsley threatened again in the fifth minute, Bialkowski bundling a Bradshaw wide to his left and a miscommunication between the Town keeper and Knudsen allowing it to go out for a corner.

The Tykes kept up the pressure from the flag-kick with a number of Town defenders blocking efforts from home players before Bialkowski eventually held on to a cross.

But Town gradually began to make some headway and in the 10th minute Sears escaped down the right and, following good work from Spence and Iorfa, crossed towards Garner, whose flicked header was blocked at point-blank by a defender.

On 13 Barnsley had another chance from a corner, this time on their left, skipper Angus MacDonald eventually heading over.

Town created an opportunity of their own a minute later. After Nydam had sent Sears away on the left with an excellent looping pass, Kenlock crossed towards Garner but just in front of the striker and team-mates arriving at the far post.

The Blues had looked to be getting more into the game but on the quarter hour the Tykes took the lead.

After Town, who had looked shaky at the back throughout the early stages, had failed to clear the initial attack, Ryan Hedges’s overhead kick looped to Bradshaw at the far post, from where he nodded past Bialkowski.


The home side continued the pressure having gone in front and weren’t far from doubling their lead in the 22nd when Adam Hammill’s low shot following a corner was blocked just in front of the line by Garner.

Soon after, Iorfa and Sears exchanged passes on the Town right but the on-loan Wolves man was crowded out as he looked to shoot.

On 25 Iorfa, proving to be a big threat down the right, cut the ball back to Sears from the right byline but a defender put the ball behind ahead of Sears.

As the game passed the half hour mark the Blues were starting to look more confident, playing more patient football than earlier, but without having forced Tykes keeper Adam Davies into a save.

In the 38th minute Kenlock blazed well over after a corner from the right had been cleared to him 30 yards out.

There was a scare for the Blues a minute later when and Bialkowski came and failed to punch a cross from the right and Iorfa headed behind ahead of a Barnsley striker.

On 42 Moncur hit the wall after a freekick on the edge of the area had been played to him. Town immediately broke through Garner and Sears. After Iorfa had been dispossessed as he cut in from the left inside the box, Nydam crossed and found Garner, who failed to find a team-mate with a pass when he should have shot.

The Blues kept the Tykes pinned back inside their half for the following couple of minutes, but despite sending a number of balls across the box were unable to create a serious opportunity.

Barnsley will feel they should have increased their lead in the final scheduled minute of the half after they broke behind the Blues’ backline, who again failed to clear their lines. Moncur was played in on goal but Bialkowski saved down to his left. Town were still unable to end the danger and Hedges broke into the box on the left before unleashing a powerful strike which Bialkowski again did well to keep out.

After Bradshaw had shot wide from an angle on the left, referee Geoff Eltringham ended an entertaining and open first half with the Tykes deserving their lead on the balance of the game and chances created.

Indeed, they may well have felt they should have been further in front with Bialkowski having made a number of impressive saves, in addition to Garner’s clearance from in front of the line.

Barnsley had always looked the more dangerous side with the Blues never looking entirely sure of themselves at the back.

Going forward, Town had had some decent spells of possession but so far without being able to turn them into openings.

The Blues swapped new signing Waghorn and McGoldrick for Nydam and Kenlock ahead of the second half with the changes little surprise.

Town moved to 4-4-2 with Waghorn, who was making his Blues league debut, and Sears on the right and left of midfield respectively.

Town immediately began to look more of a danger going forward. Iorfa crossed from the right and Waghorn’s shot was blocked. On 47 Adam Jackson was booked for a foul on Garner on the left.

A minute later Garner sent McGoldrick scampering his way through a number of Barnsley defenders but the Town number 10 allowed Davies to see just too much of the ball as he looked to beat the keeper, who blocked.

Town were looking far more likely scorers than they had in the first half and, after Sears had shot against a defender and Iorfa had been booked for a foul, the Blues got back on terms in the 53rd minute.

Knudsen wafted over a cross to the far post from the left and McGoldrick volleyed a powerful shot past Davies to claim his third goal in two games right in front of the travelling Blue Army.

After Jackson’s overhead kick had flown narrowly wide of the Town goal, Barnsley switched goalscorer Bradshaw for on-loan Chelsea youngster Ike Ugbo on 57 before Garner and MacDonald were both spoken to by the referee following the latest instalment in an ongoing spat.

The pair clashed again in the 66th minute, Garner remonstrating with the referee after being caught late and from behind not far outside the area by the Tykes captain, who was lucky not to see a card. McGoldrick blazed the freekick well over.

Town had been the better side since the break with Barnsley rarely creating an opening. And on 70 they grabbed the lead their second half display deserved.

McGoldrick flicked on to Garner, who spotted Waghorn making a run in behind and played the ball into his fellow former Rangers man, who took it inside a defender before hitting a low left-footed shot past the motionless Davies and into the corner of the net.

Downes made way for Adam McDonnell in the 77th minute, the Blues youngster having undergone treatment on a couple of occasions during the second half. McDonnell, a sub at Luton in midweek, was making his second league appearance for the Blues, the first having been on the final day of 2016/17 at Derby.

Hammill curled a freekick into Bialkowski’s arms, before Barnsley switched Hedges for Stefan Payne and then soon after debutant Barnes for Hammill.

The Tykes began to put the Blues, who suddenly seemed unable to keep hold of the ball, under more pressure as the game moved into its final 10 minutes.

Chambers blocked a shot from the right, then Bialkowski saved well from Barnes after the resultant corner had reached the on-loan Fox at the back of the box.

But Town, with their backline looking far more organised than it had in the first half with skipper Chambers and Spence resolute at its heart, held on to secure their second Championship win of the season, in addition to Tuesday’s Carabao Cup victory at Luton. They had come from behind for the first time since the 3-2 victory at Wigan in December.

While Barnsley fans will believe they deserved something from the game having been the better side before the break. But having kept the score to 1-0 - to a great extent due to keeper Bialkowski - and changed things around at the break, the second half performance was worthy of the three points.

The win sees the Blues, who travel to Millwall on Tuesday, to fourth position in the early season Championship table - behind Cardiff and Wolves on goal difference and Nottingham Forest on goals scored - after an excellent first eight days of their campaign.

Barnsley: Davies, McCarthy, MacDonald (c), Jackson, Pearson, J Williams, Moncur, Potts, Hammill (Barnes 80), Bradshaw (Ugbo 57), Hedges (Payne 78). Unused: Townsend, Pinnock, Payne, Mowatt, Bird.

Town: Bialkowski, Spence, Chambers (c), Knudsen, Kenlock (McGoldrick 46), Skuse, Downes (McDonnell 77), Nydam (Nydam 46), Sears, Garner. Unused: Gerken, Woolfenden, Rowe, Celina. Referee: Geoff Eltringham (County Durham). Att: 12,009 (Town: 870).


Photo: Pagepix



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yungblue added 17:08 - Aug 12
MM deserves all the credit. Subs and change in formation aswell as the constant change of style of play!! I don't think any Ipswich fan was happy with what they've been watching over the last 18 months. But MM listened to the fans, once he knew he was staying for another season obviously has changed his approach and this season has to be a clean slate, who knows we could end up towards the bottom again, but right now we are playing good football and winning games to you have to take your hat off to ME, MM, the team and the fans.

Still have a lot of quality missing: Webster, Smith, Ward, Hyam, Bishop, Huws, Adeyami. After the international break should certainly have more strength in depth.
44

yungblue added 17:08 - Aug 12
MM deserves all the credit. Subs and change in formation aswell as the constant change of style of play!! I don't think any Ipswich fan was happy with what they've been watching over the last 18 months. But MM listened to the fans, once he knew he was staying for another season obviously has changed his approach and this season has to be a clean slate, who knows we could end up towards the bottom again, but right now we are playing good football and winning games to you have to take your hat off to ME, MM, the team and the fans.

Still have a lot of quality missing: Webster, Smith, Ward, Hyam, Bishop, Huws, Adeyami. After the international break should certainly have more strength in depth.
3

prebsa added 17:09 - Aug 12
Great to win from behind. Shows that we have a plan b for once which is nice to know!

Still think that McGoldrick should be starting ahead of sears when he is fit. Sears works hard but don't personally think he should be out starting striker.

Great to see waghorn get some minutes and showed that he has an eye for goal. Also worked very hard which I'm sure mick will love.

Defensively we were nowhere near today and in the first half we had Bart to thank too many times so that needs to be sorted out! I actually though Barnsley deserved something out of the game. They dominated the first half and could have scored a few more if it wasent for Bart and some off the line work from Garner.

Overall 3 more great points but we did try to make it look a little bit more difficult than it should of been.
22

cat added 17:10 - Aug 12
An away win, it don't get any better than that. Barnsley are one of the sides we should be expected to beat. Fixtures have been kind to us, there's no doubting that, let's hope we can maintain this form once we start playing better quality opposition.
21

Mattchuuuu added 17:10 - Aug 12
Very good result today, good finish for Waghorn too. Just hope Downes is OK!
13

Spanishblueblood added 17:11 - Aug 12
Good result/comeback.
Still dont rate Sears or knudsen but credit where its due!
2

ChestnutSe added 17:12 - Aug 12
Brilliant. Well done all
11

ChestnutSe added 17:12 - Aug 12
Brilliant. Well done all
4

ChestnutSe added 17:12 - Aug 12
Brilliant. Well done all
3

trevski added 17:14 - Aug 12
Great turnaround in the second half after what seemed like a Barnsley dominate first half. MM obviously said something at half time and the introduction of McGOALdrick and Waghorn seemed to have a massive impact. Hopefully Downes injury ain't too bad and hopefully the others should start to come back soon. Definitely seems like all at the club have listened to the fans and are turning it around this season. Great win and let's see more against Millwall on Tuesday
9

martin587 added 17:15 - Aug 12
Very very happy drive home.Well done Town.Great substations.A very good solid all round performance.
Top marks to all the team.!
7

Wickets added 17:15 - Aug 12
Sears was brilliant ran his socks off X
8

Battyboy added 17:16 - Aug 12
Great result
4

iaintaylorx added 17:16 - Aug 12
Credit to Mick for making two game changing changes. I hope Downes' hasn't picked up an injury as our squad does not need that right now. Also, thank god that we have the best keeper in the league. Great start to a promising season and great character to come from behind!
9

Swn98 added 17:16 - Aug 12
Great result boys can't wait to hit SE London Tues night give Mickma the players and he knows what to do.
1

Ipswichbusiness added 17:17 - Aug 12
I have been one of MM's critics and last season he deserved the hammering he got on this site. However, three straight wins and evidence of new tactics and personnel working means that, at least so far, he deserves plaudits.
17

DazBent added 17:17 - Aug 12
Basically a premier league side already
-3

trevski added 17:18 - Aug 12
I don't understand why people don't like Knudsen, he had a bad start but I put that down to moving to a new country and learning the English way of football, but since then he has really improved. I wouldn't say he is quite on par with Creswell or Mings but still really good

But that McGoldrick nutmeg though to set up Waghorns goal, thing of beauty
13

TimmyH added 17:18 - Aug 12
Firstly glad we got the win and our first back to back wins at the start of the season I believe since 2002-03 but there is a side to me that believes McCarthy might have got away with this one rather than be credited for inspired substitutions. We could have been dead and buried after the 1st half, yes over the 90 minutes they had far more shots on goal and on target, to start both Downes and Nydam whom were both subbed 2nd half were a bit of a gamble which MM only just got away with.
My attitude is if you've got the quality in the squad start it, Celina, McG and Waghorn all on the bench?...believe me we won't get away with these sort of tactics against a higher order team in this league.

Saying that we won so shouldn't pick too much 6 points is great from 2 games but just looking at the bigger picture.. Well done lads!

14

midastouch added 17:22 - Aug 12
Credit where credit is due. It clearly wasn't working first half and some would of been scratching their heads at the starting line up. But rather than sticking with the default factory settings Mick did a surprise upgrade and brought on DmG and Waghorn and that was the watershed moment that ultimately fired us to victory.
Somebody said on the half time comment page (and rightly so!) that last season Mick would of been just as likely to have just as likely subbed Jonathan Douglas @ half time, sad but true! Instead he brings on 2 strikers and goes for it which is exactly what so many of us have been yearning for for what seems like an eternity. When the pressure is on you so often see the best managers go for it rather than trying to settle for a point. Why is this so? Because fortune so often favours the brave! Positive line ups and substitutes win prizes! Whereas negative line ups and safety-first subs kill everybody with boredom!
Today positivity triumphed over negativity, 3 cheers and great stuff!
17

ITFC_Cotton added 17:26 - Aug 12
Good win and huge credit to MM, was a little puzzled when I saw McGoldrick wasn't in the starting 11 but masterful substitutions! We really look like we have some decent depth in the squad and hopefully Downes isn't too bad. COYB!
6

blueboy1981 added 17:34 - Aug 12
......... shame we weren't a bit more positive in the first half when we rode our luck at times, coupled with Bart's ability once again. However, it's good to know the necessary fire power was on the bench to save the day.

Barnsley could have nailed it in the first half - but didn't - and a good three points were retrieved second half.

Well done all - but we need to make easier work of such opposition - it could so easily have been so different.
5

jpring89 added 17:35 - Aug 12
This is our time.
5

Chondzoresk added 17:39 - Aug 12
Wow! I am a serious critic of McCarthy. But the team is looking good. Confidence will be sky high. Let's keep going!!! Well done all!
8

powinswitch added 17:41 - Aug 12
Well done to everybody involved. Mick is working with a terrible illness and injury list. He has given youth a chance and brought in two attacking players at half time. He is starting to win me round. Now should we lose a game soon, lets not lose our heads. It does happen. Well done again everybody at the club.
9


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