Snatch & grab on the coast

Matchday 12 saw the Reds travel across the Pennies to take on Fleetwood Town. Michael Duff’s men seem to have fixed their early inconsistencies, and each week the identity shows more and more glimpses into what could happen at Oakwell in the near future. The packed away end was in good voice, and seemed confident. Fleetwood haven’t started the season with conviction, and six draws out of 12 surely leaves Scott Brown scratching his head.

Barnsley showed their quality inside 30 minutes, and some fantastic one-touch play with confidence and conviction, leading into a lot of space for both fullbacks resulted in the Fleetwood box being pounded by crosses. Despite such a positive start, and numerous chances to take the lead, The Cod Army defended well and (somehow) the Reds didn’t manage to find an opening.

Fleetwood attempted to play the dangerous game of dark-arts. And despite this, it seemed to be Fleetwood who looked visibly more frustrated. Scott Brown and Michael Duff didn’t seem to have the best relationship on the touchline either, and the game hit a sour note with many off the ball incidents hampering the quality of the match.

Despite a positive start to the game, Fleetwood clawed their way back into it, and Robbie Cundy managed to clear a glancing header off the line to retain Barnsley’s clean-sheet. And with the scores level at the break, it would only be a Barnsley win or draw in my eyes. Could the Reds break down the sea-side barricade?

HALF TIME FLEETWOOD TOWN 0-0 REDS

Despite a very positive opening, which saw perhaps some of the best football played under Duff, the second half didn’t show the same vein of quality. Fleetwood dragged us to their level, and it became a real scrap for every second ball. Kane, Thomas and Benson, who were pivotal in the first half, looked to be tiring. In my opinion, Michael Duff left his subs too late and if we played a team with more quality than Fleetwood, it could’ve ended badly.

Chances were of the premium in the second 45, but the Reds still had the ball in the net with James Norwood. The linesman flagged early for offside, so there were no celebrations that were cut prematurely, or any doubt from Reds fans. However, on the replay, Thomas Yeomans (Barnsley’s scout) seemed certain it was onside.

The reds would’ve been looking back in anger, if not for the substitution of Devante Cole, in favour of Jack Aitchison. Despite the game looking to have petered out, and a satisfying 0-0 for Fleetwood almost certain. Jack Aitchison used his fresh legs to breeze through the Fleetwood midfield. He found James Norwood, who despite playing 90 minutes, whipped in a fine ball. Aitchison leaped well, and in between two Fleetwood defenders, nodded the ball home to give Barnsley the lead in injury time.

The entire Barnsley bench jumped with jubilation, and the crowded away end was sent into raptures. The crowd were dimmed by the lack of quality in the second half, but they were in full voice now.

FULL TIME FLEETWOOD TOWN 0-1 REDS

A deserved three points in Lancashire for the Reds! Despite being a drab game overall, the first 20 minutes deserved at least a goal for the Tykes. Fleetwood set-up shop and dug in deep, and when you allow Barnsley the freedom to attack, they will punish you. Another win on the road, another clean sheet, and another test of mental character that the Reds managed to overcome. Pride is the prominent word in my mind, to see a Barnsley team battling once again, it means the world. Michael Duff is slowly becoming a cult-hero within the walls of Oakwell, and I cannot wait to watch the Tarn for the rest of the season, win, lose or draw. Promotion? I am not convinced yet, there is still a bumpy road in the way. But let us take every game in our stride, and in form Exeter City travel to Oakwell next week – there is no bigger test in the current League One season (in my opinion).