Barnsley 2 – 1 Blackburn

Carlton Morris came off the bench to inspire Barnsley to a 2-1 win over Blackburn at Oakwell. The second-half sub scored a superb opener before setting up Captain Alex Mowatt to claim a win that moves Barnsley up into tenth, leapfrogging opponents Blackburn who scored a very late consolation goal through ex Barnsley loanee Adam Armstrong. 

It was a poor start to the game with both sides struggling to create any real openings in what was an evenly matched contest. Chaplin was the first player to force a keeper into action when his powerful shot from the edge of the box was tipped away by Kaminski in the visitor’s goal. The strike was struck well but was straight down the middle, the swerve and power meant that is far from the straight forward for the keeper but he would have been very disappointed had he let that in.

Woodrow then came close when he was found from a corner but he headed well over the bar. The striker will surely feel he should have done better after he did well to slip his marker and had a free header but couldn’t find the target.

Palmer then came very close for the home side as the ball broke to him at the edge of the box, the midfielder struck the ball well on his weaker left foot but the ball flashed just wide of the post. It was a similar strike to his one and only goal so far in red shirt and that came away at Blackburn. On this occasion it wasn’t to be.

Quick thinking from a Barnsley free-kick then presented Adeboyejo with a chance but he was denied by a combination of Kaminski and the bar. A deep free-kick was played into the striker who ran into the box and shot but it was tipped onto the bar and over. Woodrow was screaming for the ball in the middle and was sure a pass might have been the better option but I do think that Adeboyejo had every right to shoot.

It was a very even opening half with Barnsley perhaps edging it on chances created. Blackburn did have the best chance of the half so the scores being level at the break was probably a fair reflection.

It was a slow start to the second half for both sides just as the first half was. Ismael was quick to go to his bench to change things as he soon made a triple substitution replacing his entire front three with under an hour gone. Morris, Dike and Freiser all coming on to replace Woodrow, Chaplin and Adeboyejo. Williams had already replaced Styles at half time so the reds had now made four of their five allotted changes.

The rotation of the front three in terms of who starts and then for all three to be substituted around the hour mark seems to be a firm plan of Ismael and one that I expect to continue through the season as long as all six are fit and available for selection.

The changes seemed to give Barnsley a real lift and Morris in particular settled into the game very well and looked a threat from the moment he stepped onto the pitch. He almost scored with his first touch, he was found in the box but Lenihan slid in brilliantly to block his goal bound effort.

Mowatt then was next to try his luck when the ball broke to him at the edge of the box but his shot was dragged well wide. Barnsley were certainly on top following the changes with Dike and Morris in particular looking dangerous.

Morris again was involved in a good piece of play as he showed good skill to evade his marker before finding fellow sub Williams. The ball was driven in low towards Dike but the pass was just cut out before the young American could tap home.

The Barnsley pressure continued and they came close again when Brittain’s deep cross found Helik but his header back across goal evaded everyone. He perhaps would have been better going for goal himself on that occasion.

The pressure eventually did tell though and Barnsley did open the scoring on 72 minutes and it was a wonderful strike from Carlton Morris. He had looked lively ever since coming on and his curling effort from the edge of the box found the bottom corner for his second goal in two games.

The excellent Morris picked up the ball on the edge of the area and bent the ball right-footed into the far corner; it clipped the post on the way in. Kaminski in the Blackburn goal had no chance. Barnsley who were much improved following the managers triple change got their deserved lead.

Morris came close to doubling his and Barnsley’s tally for the night but this time Kaminski was equal to his effort. He found in space inside the area but his curling effort was comfortably saved this time.

Barnsley soon had a huge chance to grab a second but it was wasted first by Freiser, then by Morris and finally Mowatt. Dike did well to win his header from a long ball forward; he flicked it on to Frieser who ran through. The Austrian opted not to shoot but instead crossed for Morris; he chose not to shoot first time and tried to cut back onto his right foot which allowed a defender to close him down. This forced Morris to pull it back to Mowatt who fired well over under pressure inside the area.

However, Mowatt didn’t have to wait long for another chance and this time he and Morris combined to score the crucial second for Barnsley. Dike won his header again and found Frieser who came off the right to pick out Morris who held off his marker and flicked the ball through to Alex Mowatt to run through and score in the last minute of normal time. The Barnsley skipper showed great composure as he rounded the keeper before slotting the ball into the empty net to all but seal the three points for the super reds.

That should have been it for the game but there was still time for some late drama in added time. Adam Armstrong pulled a goal back with just a minute to go in injury time. Barnsley were caught napping at the back with too many bodies forward and Armstrong got in behind and he lobbed the onrushing Collins with a great finish to offer the away side a glimmer of hope.

It was Mads Andersen who was too far forward and gave the ball away when he should have been back in the back line. He was unable to get back in to position and was a poor goal to concede when 2 – 0 up.

My only slight criticism is the game management at this point. You are 2 – 0 up and just need to see the game out, the back three should be getting no daft ideas about venturing forward at this stage.

No harm done and three points to the super reds. Carlton Morris was exceptional when he came on and must surely start against Bristol City on Saturday.

Play offs anyone?

COYR