The Final Curtain Call

A final day match where we could watch someoneelses nerves been shredded, that makes a change but the truth is we wished it could be us.

The atmosphere generated by both sets of supporters helped bring an entertaining game to life.Despite the pressure on the visitors it was us who started slowly, and Barnsley could have taken the lead earlier than they did if it was not of the timely intervention of Mr Roper and Gerrard. Ian Roper the sponsors MOTM and Anthony Gerrard the saddlers player of the season, both lived up to there titles.

The main difference between the two sides was the forward play, Barnsley commited players into the box with purpose trying as they would to get on the end of a continued supply of crosses. However if Ropes and Gerrard didn't stop them, Andy Oakes was there with a couple of outstanding saves. All that changed on the 31 minute when a freekick was floated to the far post, Marc Richards had lost his man to plant a header low into the net. Shortly afterwards Mark Kinsella made his first change injecting some pace by bringing on Ishmal Demontagnac for the disappointing Mark Wright.Ishmel signalled his intent with a curling long range shot which Colgan dealt with ease.

Half time brought Daryl Taylor into the game for Kris Taylor, as we took the game to the Tykes, our pressing was rewarded in the 59 minute when Daryl Taylor forced his way into the box only to be brought down by Paul Heckingbottom. Ref Richard Beeby pointed to the spot, but amazed the saddlers fans by only producing a yellow card despite the Barnsley man been the last line of defence. Keates dispatched the penalty without problem despite some gamemanship from the Bransley lads.

This is when the ref decided it was to be the Richard Beeby show, he managed to show nine yellow cards, which raised the temperature even further as arguements betwen the two sets of players. In a half way flare up Ian Roper reacted to a half nelson hold and recieved his second red card, changing the game in Barnsleys favour.This 78 minute dismissal was folowed by a penalty in the 83 minute when Daryl Taylor was guilty of sticking his leg out, the winger obliged by falling over it, Nardiello made no mistake 1-2.

The action was over let Barnsley were using there extra man well and struck the post with Oakes beaten, as they tried to close the game out. However the biggest uproar was when a well placed Mr Beeby turned down strong penalty appeals after Ishmel was sent tumbling in the box after tricking his way past a couple of defenders. The respective benches were toe to toe in confrontation over the decision, especially since Kevin James penalty appeal had also been rejected.

4 minutes of added time was needed to compensate for Mr Beeby's handy work, hopes of an equaliser were raised when a late freekick was given outside the box, despite Walsalls protests of a hand ball inside the box. However Kevin James curled the ball round the wall and it went over the bar.

Full time whistle and Barnsley dream of Cardiff, we wish them all the best. We look forward to Accrington Stanley.

Mr Richard Beeby
He was the most influential Barnsley player on the pitch, I hope the other results on his coupon went his way as he certainly had this one down as away win!!!
Some questioned if he should have come for the first goal, but all together not a bad game some good saves and commanded his area well...have to wait to see if he is between the sticks next year. Not the performance to make new manager Richard Money think he is a must keep,some silly errors combined with some dogged defencive work, never gave up the cause. Player of the season and rose to the occassion, must have run Ian Roper close for the man of the match award. Not at his early season form, but playing better than under KB....Perhaps there is a story there somewhere. Everyone welcomed him back for another chance at Bescot. In truth didn't take the chance given, often drifted inside leaving Fox exposed, never produced anything going forward. Replaced at half time. Looked uninterested after Barnsley scored, then refound his fight in the second half. Gave the midfield some bite Worked hard, scored the penalty and showed his passion for the club in his celebrations. Could positions but failed to find the final ball replaced after 39 minutes He found proceedings as frustrating as the fans did watching him, some good touches were hidden under the dark cloud of poor passes and misjudged headers, where is the potential we were promised. Tried to get the result to help Forest into the play offs worked hard, wasted a couple of good openings but his pace caused Barnsley some concern. Save the best till last, unlucky to be given two yellows, some perfectly timed last ditch challenges and towering headers Some pace and trickery, could have scored but hesitated which drew the foul for the penalty, showing signs of getting back to the form of last year, it is decission time since he is now out of contract. Pace, purpose some good tackling, only one reckless moment after he reacted to the situation after been brought down for the penalty that wasn't...much better ish. Ran about but had to drop deep to cover the loss of Roper when we were getting swampped in midfield, plenty to work on for next season. Mark Kinsella, played the subsitution game well and unlucky not to come away with some kind of result.Post match comments state that if we play like we did in the second half we will have a good season next year....it's the IF that bothers me

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