MATCH REPORT: Oxford Utd 1-2 Barnsley

Barnsley registered back-to-back victories and grabbed a firm grip on their play-off place as they defeated Oxford United at the Kassam Stadium.

Goals either side of half time from Bobby Thomas and Nicky Cadden saw The Reds pick up an invaluable three points, despite Elliott Moore’s header for the U’s.

Michael Duff’s side were quick out of the traps early on in this contest, however, it was Oxford who had the first effort in this game. A long ball over the top saw Billy Bodin have a chance on goal, but his effort went a foot wide of Brad Collins’ goal.

This seemed to just fire Barnsley up even more, and they had a chance of their own with a quarter of the game gone. James Norwood got in on goal off the shoulder of Sam Long and hit his effort towards goal, but it was blocked on the line by Cameron Brannagan, who was retreating back towards his own goal.

There was a huge element of frustration for the U’s as midfielder Brannagan, as he had to be replaced by Marcus McGuane after only 24 minutes due to an injury.

With half an hour played, Barnsley managed to find the breakthrough. Adam Phillips’ inviting cross was headed into the far corner by on-loan defender Bobby Thomas, who scored his first Reds goal in only his second appearance for the club.

Shortly after, Oxford looked to try and equalise and responded well to going behind. Kyle Joseph managed to beat Liam Kitching before firing an effort wide of the mark.

As the game went towards half time, the ever-impressive Luca Connell found himself in a good position, but his ball across the face of goal went a foot wide of the post, with no red shirt able to connect.

Second Half

The game went into the second half and Barnsley came close to doubling their lead. Kitching low cross found its way to Phillips, but the former Burnley midfielder was unable to set himself and was unable to score for the sixth time this season, as his effort went over the bar.

On 58 minutes, Barnsley took control of the game. Norwood held the ball up expertly against two yellow shirts before playing in Devante Cole down the right hand side. The Reds top scorer found Herbie Kane on the penalty spot, and despite being in a goal-scoring position, the midfielder unselfishly laid the ball off for Nicky Cadden to fire into the bottom corner and score his first Barnsley goal since joining from Forest Green Rovers in the summer.

Norwood had a chance to make it three shortly after as he found himself through on goal after receiving the ball from Phillips, but Simon Eastwood got a foot to the ball to keep Barnsley’s number nine out.

Oxford only went more direct as the game went on to try and find a route back into the game, and that is exactly what they did. Bodin’s corner found an unmarked Elliott Moore inside the box, and the U’s defender headed into the corner past Collins to bring the scoreline back to 2-1, making it a nervy final 20 minutes for Barnsley.

Another out-swinging corner from Bodin found its way to Ciaron Brown, who saw his acrobatic effort come back off the crossbar. Oxford had serious control of the game by this point and were looking very likely to equalise.

However, Barnsley managed to see the game out towards the end, despite there being eight minutes of additional time.

It was an important victory for The Reds as it saw them move onto 46 points, five points ahead of Peterborough United who are one place behind them in 7th place, meaning that Barnsley had a firm grip on that final play-off spot. They will look to try and secure a third win on the bounce on Saturday, as they travel to Fratton Park to take on Portsmouth.

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