BARNSLEY SUPPORTERS FC 7
AFC HALIFAX 2

A SECOND half red tidal wave swept away the challenge of Halifax as Barnsley's impressive start to the IFA season continued at Honeywell Sports Centre.

After an even first half in which the Reds had gone behind, a four goal blitz from Simon Newey put paid to the Shaymen's hopes of leaving South Yorkshire with a positive result.

Manager Allen Cooper had an 18 strong squad to choose from but was without captain Jon Harper so Phil McNulty led the side in his absence. Striker Simon Newey was back to bolster the attack after a prolonged absence due to work commitments.

The game began at a frenetic pace as both sides searched for the early initiative in wet conditions but it was the visitors who struck first. A neat attack down the right hand side set up the impressive Ash ADDY to blast home a wonderful shot from 25 yards.

Barnsley were level within less than 30 seconds however. Persistent play from Sam Owen and a cross into the box saw the visiting goalkeeper drop the ball at the feet of Ian SOWDEN who simply could not miss from three yards out.

Town were the next to threaten though and another long range strike almost caught the Reds out but the 30 yard effort cannoned back off the crossbar.

The home side looked destined to assume the lead for the first time when Rich Brown's super through pass sent Newey through on goal but the striker went for the clever chip rather than simple finish and shanked his shot well wide of goal.

Barnsley started the second period with renewed vigour after a number of substitutions from Cooper, and were soon ahead for the first time. Excellent work from Rich Brown set up MCNULTY to steer a header into the far corner of the net.

The Reds continued to have the upper hand and good work and a neat pass from Sam Owen set up NEWEY to atone for his earlier miss by smashing home a near post shot from the right corner of the area.

Newey's pace was causing the Halifax defence no end of problems, and on this occasion it was an assist as his right wing cross found Rob Pick in space on the area but his shot was clawed away by the sprawling keeper.

Halifax briefly threatened but Danny Haig made a quick double save to keep the hosts' two goal lead intact.

It was Barnsley who again marked the score sheet though as Owen's through ball again found NEWEY, who after seeing his initial shot saved, nonchalantly stroked the ball into the bottom right corner of the Town net.

Newey was soon denied again after good work from Sowden down the left hand side and when the ball fell to Rob Pick, his low shot was blocked on the line and away to safety.

Town had their own one on one shortly after but the onrushing Haig seemed to put off their forward who scuffed his shot wide to the left.

Barnsley extended their lead though after NEWEY collected Tom Pick's pass, surged down the left hand side, completely outpaced the defence and shot into the net despite the keeper getting a significant touch.

Credit where it's due though as the Shaymen kept plugging away and after Josh Mills had denied a certain goal Adam PROBETS did finish off a neat move to net a consolation.

However Barnsley were not finished and after a huge clearance NEWEY again found the net, this time with a rare header over the goalkeeper who had come charging unnecessarily out of goal.

Rob Pick went agonisingly close to getting on the score sheet when hitting the angle of bar and post but eventually PICK did deservedly succeed with a sublime chip to complete the scoring and a very satisfactory day for Barnsley.

Barnsley: Danny Haig; Alex Varley, Ben Wanless, Gavin Saville, Jonno Smales; Sam Owen, Phil McNulty (c), Richard Brown, Lee Beard; Ian Sowden, Kieron Brown

Subs (all used): Simon Newey, Rob Pick, Tom Pick, Chris Lee, Josh Mills, Bill Redfern, Allen Cooper

Goals: Ian Sowden, Phil McNulty, Simon Newey (4), Rob Pick

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