Red hot Barnsley shine on a cold night in Peterborough

At the final whistle, Michael Duff did his customary punching of the air in front of the near 800 away fans whilst being serenaded to the tune of Wham's Last Christmas with the red faithful pledging this year to give their hearts to Duff.

As everyone made their way out into the cold dark Peterborough night, Reds fans were buzzing having just seen their side go away to a top 4 side and take all three points. The performance had guts, team spirit and in the first 20 minutes a near total dominance.

That makes it 4 league wins on the bounce, 6 victories from 7 in all competitions with the reds leapfrogging Posh into 4th in the league table.

From the first whistle Barnsley went at the hosts playing a very high tempo, pressing all over the pitch. Even Devante Cole and Jack Aitchison chased and harried the hosts, never letting them settle on the ball. In the first 20 minutes, Barnsley controlled the game and played some of the best football seen this season.

From Luca Connell and Herbie Kane biting in midfield and winning possession back, playing neat passing around the pitch to some dangerous crosses being whipped in from both sides from Nicky Cadden, Connell and Tom Edwards Barnsley caused chaos in the Peterborough penalty box. The quality of crossing being fizzed into opposition penalty areas is a real threat nowadays. In truth Barnsley should have gone in at half time 2 or 3 goals up with the chances created mainly from those dangerous balls in from wide areas.

Peterborough had lost their previous two league fixtures and never got a hold into the game with the reds pressing all over the pitch winning the ball back with regularity.

However, Posh somehow got back in the game playing direct football with a couple of long balls upfield and disappointingly no reds player followed the run of Taylor who waltzed into the penalty area and rose unchallenged to head past Brad Collins. Posh were undeservingly level.

That equaliser knocked Barnsley for a few minutes and woke the home support but in truth apart from a dangerous cross right on half time that was headed over at close range, Brad Collins had little to do.

In the second half Peterborough`s tactic was to lump long balls up to Clarke-Harris or chip balls into the channel for Mason-Clark but the reds backline stood firm. Posh never looked like being able to pass through Barnsley`s midfield with Connell, Kane and Phillips all snapping and breaking up play.

The second half ebbed and flowed with the reds settling down and again whipping in good quality crosses. Cometh the hour, cometh the man and once again Adam Phillips hit a first time beauty on the edge of the area from a training ground routine to fire the reds back in front.

Last season, the reds may have buckled conceding the equaliser but this squad under Michael Duff have belief and are a tighter nut to crack. No one shirks tackles, they all put sweat on the shirt and with Duff himself kicking every ball on the touchline, Barnsley responded well to go back in front.

The final half an hour saw Posh have one tactic, a long ball over the top which Barnsley dealt with superbly. Everyone in that backline stood up to the challenge and protected Collins who had little to do other than come for a few crosses.

Time and again Mads Andersen won headers, with his fellow defenders following suit. Mention should go to Jordan Williams who had his work cut out keeping an eye on Mason-Clark especially after returning from injury. In truth it is harsh on Edwards, Kitching and the midfielders who all did their bit to stop Posh from scoring a second equaliser which they wouldn't have deserved.

Barnsley have some great strikers of the ball in Connell and Phillips. Both have a great habit of arriving on the edge of the area and both scored superb goals which saw many limbs in the away end especially at the back where many nearly ended up over the wooden seats into rows in front.

Posh couldn't live with Barnsley`s press, intensity, energy and teamwork. The only slight worry is that the injuries seem to be stacking up. Edwards looked to clash knees in front of the away end and the hope has to be that he just has a stiff knee and can return next week. Josh Benson, who slotted in well at right wing back, seemed to pull a muscle when on a run upfield and putting a cross in. His injury may keep him out for a couple of weeks which is a worry.

Overall Barnsley deserved the three points and now march onto Oxford next week. Long may this run continue.