Reds 1 (Winnall 3)
Blackpool 0
Barnsley lead Blackpool 1-0 at half time at Oakwell, courtesy of Sam Winnall’s early strike.
The forward latched onto Reece Wabara’s inviting cross to head home his seventh league goal of the season for the Reds.
He came close to doubling the lead towards the end of the half but Dean Lyness was equal to his effort from the edge of the area after Tom Aldred’s mistake.
The Reds opened the scoring with their first attack of the game three minutes in. Ben Pearson’s sumptuous ball allowed Reece Wabara to whip in a cross, which Winnall gleefully guided home.
It could have been two after seven minutes as Marley Watkins and Adam Hammill combined, with the latter’s driven effort focring a good save from Dean Lyness.
Blackpool broke quickly and could have pulled level as Mark Cullen slid the ball across the face of goal for Brad Potts but the midfielder could not finish on the slide.
David Ferguson was the first player to be cautioned on 18 minutes after bringing down Lloyd Isgrove on the edge of the area. Conor Hourihane was unable to take advantage, blasting the free kick into the wall.
Pearson tried his luck from 25-yards midway through the half but saw the ball sail over the top while Potts fired wide of the mark for the visitors, 26 minutes in.
After a quiet period, Barnsley came close to a second on 38 minutes as Isgrove found Winnall but the striker headed wide of the target.
Two minutes before half time, Winnall pounced on an error from Tom Aldred but his effort from the edge of the box was gathered by Lyness.
The final action of the half saw Will Aimson collect a yellow card for a late challenge on Pearson but the Reds ended the half well on top.
Teams
Reds: Davies, Wabara, Long, Mawson, White, Watkins, Pearson, Isgrove, Hourihane, Hammill, Winnall.
Subs: Townsend, R.Williams, Bree, Abbott, Roberts, Templeton, M.Smith.
Blackpool: Lyness, White, Aldred, Robertson, Ferguson, McAlister, Norris, Aimson, Potts, Lee, Cullen.
Subs: Letheren, Boyce, Dunne, Oliver, Rivers, Osayi-Samuel, Little.
