Barnsley saw off local rivals, Sheffield Wednesday in a very entertaining match at Oakwell. The Reds made it difficult for themselves and should have won by a wider margin.
Barnsley boss Simon Davey made three changes to the side that lost 3-0 to Crystal Palace on Saturday. Jon Macken, Hugo Colace and Darren Moore returned to the starting line-up with Maceo Rigters, Bobby Hassell and Diego Leon dropping to the bench.
The Reds got off to a dream start thanks to Iain Hume on four minutes. A half-cleared Devaney cross was superbly kept alive by Jon Macken who found Hume to smash home from seven yards.
Martin Devaney was lively on the left for the Tykes and whistled a wicked effort just wide from 25-yards after some neat trickery to go past Small.
The Wednesday defence were at their best with so many brilliantly timed last-ditch tackles to deny Macken and Hume who both got in on goal.
The only real chance for the Owls was a tame Tudgay header from 12-yards, but the former Derby man nodded his effort straight at Muller.
Martin Devaney had a great opportunity to double his side’s lead on 32 minutes as the winger went through one on one with Lee Grant. Devaney should have done better with his finish although credit must go to Lee Grant who pushed the ball wide.
Two minutes later and Tony McMahon was sent for an early bath after his horrendous two-footed challenge on Rob Kozluk. There were no complaints from the Wednesday bench and Brian Laws was looking forward to half time in order to re-shuffle the pack.
Hugo Colace was the next to sting the gloves of Grant as the Argentine let fly from 25-yards. The former Derby stopper did well to keep hold of the ball diving full stretch to the top-right corner.
Just as Wednesday were looking to get back into the match with the introduction of Steve Watson and Deon Burton, the referee pointed to the spot on the hour mark as Stephen Foster was hauled down in the box.
Up-stepped Jamal Campbell-Ryce to send Grant the wrong way and the Barnsley fans bonkers.
Brian Laws threw on big striker Leon Clarke and the move immediately paid dividens. It was a bizzare decision as Clarke slipped in the box after being touched by Dennis Souza.
Clarke dusted himself down to hammer the penalty into the roof of the net in the 69th minute.
The away side finally came to life on 73 minutes with good chances for both Smith and Buxton but their efforts didn’t bother Muller.
Former Reds loanee Deon Burton saw his volley whizz just wide of the Barnsley goal on 81 minutes.
Peter Gilbert was lucky to stay on the pitch in the dying seconds of the match. Odejayi was shielding the ball in the corner as Gilbert sprinted and lunged in from behind on the Nigerian. The referee could have easily shown Gilbert a straight Red but decided on producing a yellow.
It was a deserved win for Barnsley as Sheffield Wednesday will be disappointed with their first half display. Although the Reds must repeat their performance on Saturday for the visit of Bristol City.
Barnsley: Muller, Foster, Moore, Souza, Kozluk, Campbell-Ryce, Colace, de Silva, Devaney, Hume (Rigters 90), Macken (Odejayi 82).
Unused subs: Steele, Hassell, Leon.
Sheff Wed: Grant, McMahon, Buxton, Beevers, Spurr, Small (Clarke 65), McAllister, Smith, Gilbert, Tudgay (Burton 37), Jeffers (Watson 46).
Unused subs: Boden, Esajas.
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Good win hope it kick starts the season for you.
yes it was a good win……..well done…