Match Report: Barnsley 0 Coventry City 2

Barnsley’s season took a turn for the worse in their first home game against Coventry City. The Reds went down to two goals from in form Clinton Morrison and Leon Best

Daniel Bogdanovic was rewarded for some impressive performances with a place in the starting line-up next to Jon Macken, with Kayode Odejayi dropping to the bench. Darren Moore came back into the side at the expense of Luke Potter.

After an even start to the game, the referee gave a free kick to Coventry on the edge of the Barnsley box when Stephen Foster won a header fair and square over Morrison. A four man wall and Luke Steele couldn’t stop Leon Best from smashing the ball into the roof of the Barnsley net on eight minutes.

Barnsley’s strikers Macken and Bogdanovic worked tirelessly in the first half but were continually denied by some dubious offside decisions.

In truth the Reds were lucky to be going in at half time losing by just one goal. Coventry missed a host of chances to double their lead and Barnsley left the field at half time to a chorus of boos for the second time in as many games.

Half-Time: Barnsley 0 Coventry City 1

For all their intention of getting back into the game, Barnsley were almost undone in the first few moments of the game when Aaron Gunnarsson shot wide.

The Reds were up against it though on 57 minutes as Kozluk earned a second booking in as many minutes for another wreckless two footed lunge on Gunnarsson. This forced Barnsley into a reshuffle with Bobby Hassell going to left back and Jamal Campbell-Ryce taking sole responsibility for the Reds entire right flank.

As it did last season at Oakwell against Doncaster Rovers, the sending off woke the Reds up and inspired a fight back. Jacob Butterfield shot just wide on the hour mark and crossed for Moore but he couldn’t reach the ball at the back post to make contact.

Simon Davey then tried to freshen up the attacking line, replacing Macken and Bogdanovic with Kayode Odejayi and Iain Hume, with the latter receiving a standing ovation from all four sides of the ground.

The referee then performed another blunder, when Westwood clearly stepped out of his area to collecta long ball from Barnsley’s keeper Steele as Iain Hume closed in. Neither the referee himself nor his assistants spotted it, to the dismay of the entire Ponty End.

The come back was looking ever less likely and the game was finally killed off eight minutes from time by Clinton Morrison who tapped in from 12 yards after Osbourne’s cross evaded everybody else.

It would be easy to pin the blame on the referee for this defeat and to some extent Rob Kozluk’s needless double booking, but in fact the performance was simply not up to scratch and Coventry City came to Oakwell and secured three points with a completely professional performance.

Full-Time: Barnsley 0 Coventry City 2