Barnsley bounce back at the start of a home run

Barnsley 1, Bristol Rovers 0

(SkyBet League One)

Barnsley were far from their best as they bounced back from two successive defeats. But the performance was good enough to give them the three points which saw them climb back into fourth place in the table.

And that was enough to please head coach Daniel Stendel, who admitted that the players’ self- confidence had taken a blow as a result of the losses at Charlton and Shrewsbury.

In the circumstances he viewed the hard-earned victory over Bristol Rovers as a very important one and thoroughly deserved.

He pointed out: “The opposition had two chances in 97 minutes. We had six or seven good chances and we took one. I thought it was a good performance and a big win which is a step back as to how we want to play.”

The clean sheet was the key to success, with Liam Lindsay outstanding in the centre of defence, goalkeeper Adam Davies making two crucial saves and Alex Mowatt (pictured) capping a sound anchorman performance by scoring a spectacular winner.

The Reds made a lively start and were well on top in the early stages and their superiority was rewarded after 11 minutes when Brad Potts set up a shooting chance for Mowatt, who sent the ball curling gloriously into the top corner of the net from the edge of the penalty area.

However, as has happened before this season, such initial promise failed to reach fulfillment. Gradually Bristol clawed their way back into contention and for the last quarter-of-an-hour of the first half it was they who were calling the tune.

Barnsley found it increasingly difficult to cope with the visitors’ wing-back formation and it required two excellent saves by Davies from ex-Red Stefan Payne and a vital block by  by Lindsay from a goalbound effort from Chris Lines to retain the home team’s slender advantage.

Indeed, there were shades of the old ‘battling Barnsley’ as the Reds dug in to secure three precious points – and that was good to see. Not all games are won by fluent, fast-flowing football. There are times when it is necessary to ‘win ugly’ – and this was one such occasion.

As Stendel indicated, his side did have their chances. In the second half George Moncur, recalled to replace the injured Kenny Dougall, had a shot blocked on the line, and substitute Mamadou Thiam hit the bar with a free-kick and then fired over from the edge of the box.

But Rovers finished strongly and almost snatched a late equaliser when Ryan Bennett cut inside and curled a shot inches wide.

The Reds are now undefeated at home since March. And, in view of the fact that this was the first of five successive home fixtures covering the League, the Checkatrade Trophy and the FA Cup, that is probably the most promising statistic of the afternoon.

Barnsley: Davies; Cavare, Pinnock, Lindsay, Pinnilos, Potts, McGeehan, Mowatt Moncur, Moor (Brown, 75 mins), Bahre (Hedges, 84 mins).

Bristol Rovers: Bonham; Lockyer, Craig, J Clarke, Leadbitter (Bennett, 64 mins), Lines, O’Clarke (Rodman, 64 mins), Sercombe, Kelly, Payne, Reilly (Matthews, 65 mins).

Bookings: Davies, Mowatt, Moncur (Barnsley); Kelly (Bristol).

Referee: Anthony Backhouse).

Attendance: 10,966.

 

The post Barnsley bounce back at the start of a home run appeared first on Barnsley News and Sport.

from General News – Barnsley News and Sport https://ift.tt/2O8L1kh
via Telephone Socket Installers Sheffield