Great Games : Series 1 : Home Vs Barnsley

Last updated : 03 December 2003 By Site Staff

Despite early pressure from the vistors early on we never really were troubled and Bansley never threatened our goal in the first half.

The first chance of the game coming minutes into the game when Hulse broke fre down the side but on a tight angle couldn't get his shot on target as it went into the side netting.

Smith could have done better a few moments later when he hit a curling free kick straight into the path of Mariott. Moments later and Ashton showed why the top English clubs are after him when he ran past no less then 6 Barnsley players before clearing them all but couldn't make anything out of it as he slid it across the box Barnsley cleared.

Another free-kick and this time Kenny Lunt tried a cheeky shot by tapping it into a spot which the wall & keeper hadn't covered but it went a few inces wide. Despite us putting so many attempts on goal Barnsley were the ones trying to push forward and they did as Naylor found himself running clean through on goal but Sodje was quick to react as Naylor was on the edge of the area Sodje calmly Slid inbetween Naylor and the ball and cleared it.

Then from a cross into the box Sodje couldn't get his head to it which left Sheron to power a header at goal but it skimmed over the crossbar. Then came the goal, Smith floated in a corner with went long to Sodje at the far post who flicked it back it for Aston to toe poke over the outcoming keeper.

In the second half it was action straight from kick off. Two players, Morgan and Smith booked.Morgan was booked for tripping Ashton, who to be fair to Morgan, was just to skillful for Morgan. 2 Minutes later and the ref had shown red to Morgan who did a carven copy foul on Ashton. The resulting free-kick was smash over by Smith.

Ten men are sometimes stronger than 11 men, and it was to bt the case in this match as the sending off spured Barnsley on to get a equaliser. Lumsdon probably had the best chance when a 30 yard shot was, just, saved on the line by Ince. Sheron had a curling shot with went wide.

As they looked for an equalise we looked to extend that lead. Ashton wanted to get another goal as he showed when he kept lining up long shots which were blocked. Rix nearly scored his 2nd of the season when Ashton chested it down to him in the area and his powerful shot went inches wide.

Hulse nearly had the final say when he ran like hell to get the ball to go one-on-one with the keeper but was pulled back then pushed over inside the area and the ref had no second thoughts and that hand pointed to the sport before you could say 'Penalty!'. Smith missed the penalty as Mariotts palmed it out, Smith went for the rebound but tripped up which left Streety to delight the home fans and Dario as he slotted in his first goal of season 3 minutes after coming on.

So we go 3 points clear of the drop with 4 games in hand, soon to be 5. Man City next....................... Easy! Bring it on!