The Town board refused to allow Graham Rodger to bring in a loan ‘keeper so Andy Pettinger was handed his first team debut in the absence of the injured/suspended Aidan Davison. The injury to Iain Anderson gave Phil Jevons a start on the left wing, although his two goals from the bench in midweek probably would have won a start anyway. Up front Darren Mansaram was dropped to the bench after ineffective performances, Lee Thorpe took his place alongside Isaiah Rankin.
Former Town defender Peter Handyside started in the Tykes defence, Tony Gallimore failed to recover from his long term injury whilst Michael Boulding was only named amongst the subs. Ha. Boulding’s name was greeted with a round off boo’s although a fair number did applaud.
Barnsley started by pressuring Pettinger’s goal, clearly aware of his inexperience. The rookie stopper dealt well with the early barrage of attacks. Daniel Nardiello, on loan from Manchester United, provided his first real test after five minutes. Nardiello managed to evade the Town defence before firing low and goalwards, Pettinger was well placed and gathered the shot.
Town’s early efforts on goal came first from Darren Barnard’s free-kick which was easily saved by Marlon Beresford, secondly from Rankin’s shot that trickled wide.
The attacking trio of Thorpe, Rankin and Jevons were threatening to run riot with their quick and aggressive moment towards the Tykes backline. It wasn’t long before their promise was delivered.
On 13 minutes Thorpe was played in down the touchline before cutting in past Craig Ireland. The defender took down Thorpe in the penalty area leaving referee Mark Halsey no choice put to point to the spot and send Ireland off. As a side note Halsey had a fine game. It makes a change to see a ref who lets the game flow and despite the niggly nature of the game, kept the players in check. Well done Mr Halsey.
Jevons stepped up for the penalty in front of the Barnsley end. His effort beat Beresford but clipped the post before Handyside cleared for a corner. Noooooooooo.
Gary Monk, in his first game since completing his permanent move from Southampton, was carried off on a stretcher after 19 minutes with an ankle injury. Alex Neil came in on as his replacement.
Neil had yet to settle into the game when Town scored their first and opened the floodgates on 22 minutes. Thorpe again caused havoc for the Barnsley defence with a powerful run down the right wing, his cross was met with a casual, maybe even arrogant, finish by Jevons from the middle of the area. Beresford had no chance as the ball flew past him.
The Tykes were rocking and Town took advantage. Hesitancy in the defence allowed Thorpe to sneak in and only brave heroics from Beresford denied him a goal. From the corner though Craig Armstrong made it two. Jevvo’s superbly flighted ball found the utility man unmarked at the back post, his header gave Beresford no chance. 2-0 after 27 minutes.
The dream 10 minutes continued. On 31 minutes Ford was released down the right and after skipping past one challenge his cross was handled by Handyside. Barnard played the free-kick low to Campbell in the box. The stand-in skipper failed to control but the ball fell kindly to Jevons, with another casual/arrogant finish he stroked the ball high into the goal with his left foot.
By now Town were flying. Barnsley couldn’t cope with anything Town threw forward. Ford and Barnard’s bursts from defence were a threat, Jevons was oozing class when cutting inside and the front two of Rankin and Thorpe had the legs, strength and touch on Handyside and co.
Michael Boulding was sent out to warm up, it’s fair to say he knew he’d get asked what the score was he. Seeing as he knew, the fans asked anyway.
His answer would soon needed to be changed though, on 40 minutes to be precise. Barnard’s curled pass cut open the Barnsley defence. Rankin raced down the flank to it before skinning Austin inside out. With the goal approaching Rankin checked and fired past Beresford, right in front of the Barnsley fans. His celebration probably sealed his future with the Tykes. Running to the fans whilst pointing to the name on your shirt is probably not the best idea, but I laughed anyway. If his first act sealed his departure, the second one iced it. Having already pissed of 1,500 Barnsley folk, Rankin targeted the opposition bench. Trotting past the dugout, Rankin backtracked and gave a clenched fist to the bench. Brilliant stuff!
The only sour point of the half saw Simon Ford limp off. Fordy’s found his best form for over a year since moving to rightback. The former Charlton trainee looks a lot more composed when not in the centre of the pitch, where he is often out muscled. His pace is also a great asset when going forward. Wes Parker replaced him on 42 minutes.
The second half started in awful fashion, truly awful. Stacy Coldicott was replaced by Des Hamilton. Super Stace wasn’t showing any effects of tiredness but with the game already won his legs were saved for Tuesday and Notts County.
Without Coldicott, Town struggled to restart their game. A corner wasn’t cleared after two minutes. Pettinger did his best to prevent Nardiello and Stallard but the non-activity of Crane and Barnard left him fighting a one man battle. Eventually the ball came free and Nardiello fired home. 4-1.
The Tykes now had their tails up as Town stood and watched. Stallard was given the freedom of Cleethorpes to pick out his shot, luckily Pettinger was well alert and made fine save.
Against the run of play, Town added a goal back. Rankin was played in, his pace took him away from Austin, who in turn brought down his ‘team-mate’ just as he was about to pull the trigger. Penalty.
Jevons stepped up and tucked inside the post for his first ever professional hat-trick. Awwww, bless.
A minute later and Town threatened to hit that bloody self destruct button. Whilst Barnsley prepared to take a free-kick from their own half, Nardiello and Crane started a little shoving match. Crane reacted with a punch that knocked the Barnsley loanee down, right in front of the referee. Crane sent off, Nardiello booked. Well done, Tony. Well fucking done! Sadly the club are only allowed to fine Mr Crane two weeks wages. As good a player he can be, his place in the team should be his punishment. A player with a record that reads 12 yellow cards and 2 red cards is simply not good enough. Crane will now miss four matches. Again, well done. Grrrrr!
To combat the loss of a defender, Town sacrificed a striker. Greg Young came on to replace Rankin. The striker got a standing ovation from the Town fans, a lashing of abuse from the away fans.
With the numbers now down to ten a side, the game teetered out. Thorpe was supported well by Jevons but the game was over and Town started to try the fancy flicks. Barnsley got frustrated and some of the tackles said as much.
On 72 minutes Craig Rocastle was replaced by............Michael Boulding. Boooooo. Again the reaction was mixed but the majority showed their disapproval towards him. His impact was somewhat ermmmm, what’s the word.....shit.
3 minutes later and Jevvo showed Boulding what quality really is. Barnard found the now hat-trick hero in the box. Austin came steaming in but Jevvo arrogantly, this was bloody arrogant as well, rolled the ball the other way as the defender flew past. Beresford was dummied onto his arse before Jevvo dinked a cheeky little lob over him. 6 goals in the past two games, one of those he missed 20 minutes, with the season total now 12. Just one behind Boulding. Anyone fancy a bet against Jevons scoring more than Boulding come the end of the season? Nah, thought not.
Boulding got his first chance to show us what we have missed a few minutes later. Played with the ball in front of him and grass to spare he moved goalwards, the floppy haired one was soon left kicking air though as Nicky Daws popped his body in the way and dispossessed. That was it for Boulding, ah well. Shame.
The game was now really crying out for the whistle in all honesty. Both sides were showing the effects of 10 men. Wes Parker provided the biggest highlight of the closing stages. Bombing down the wing his brave header saw him heading for goal but Beresford darted off his line to the rescue.
Overall a fantastic Town performance. Everything was right, well almost. The defence was solid apart from the 5 minute panic after the break. The midfield was just first class. Nothing got past them. The front two of Rankin and Thorpe caused no end of problems with a combination of pace and power. And as for Jevvo, I can’t say anymore. He was just class, pure and utter class.
Man of the Match - Hmmmmm, Phil Jevons. Four goals and he still had time to miss a penalty. Only complaint is that people still moan about him not playing up front. He won’t be as effective up front, he’ll get kicked to crap. He’ll also have his back to goal, no grass to run into and less time. Keep him on the wing, that’s where he’s most dangerous.