The Reds get back to winning ways with a resounding victory over Rochdale!
A Brad Potts header and a Kieffer Moore hat-trick sent Barnsley into 3rd spot in Sky Bet League One, and made it 10 points from the opening four games, still without a goal conceded.
Despite the goalless draw against AFC Wimbledon at the weekend, Reds Head Coach, Daniel Stendel named an unchanged starting lineup once again, and they repaid him in spades on this occasion.
As has been typical so far under Stendel, the Reds set off like a train, going at the Rochdale backline from minute one and should have taken a third minute lead but Moore's bullet header from a Dimitri Cavare right-wing cross rattled against the crossbar.
One minute later and Cavare tried his own luck, from 25 yards out, but his vicious hit took a nick off ex-Red David Perkins and an inch or so wide of the post.
It was incessant Reds pressure and on 29 minutes Alex Mowatt saw a drive cannon away off the foot of the Rochdale post. But five minutes later the goal finally arrived..
Another cross by Cavare from the right flank and to the back post where the onrushing Potts was on hand to head home from six yards out.
Kenny Dougall was harshly booked on the halfway line before the Reds doubled their lead. This time it was Dani Pinillos doing the damage with a sumptuous cross from the left and Moore rose highest to head in for 2-0 at the back post just before the break.
HALF TIME: Rochdale 0-2 Barnsley
Former Reds gaffer Keith Hill brought off ex-Reds defender Jim McNulty at the break; Joe Rafferty replacing him but the onslaught continued.
However, there was a key moment two minutes into the second half when sub Rafferty found himself 8 yards out and with time to pick his spot, but Reds skipper Adam Davies in goal and left-back Pinillos together managed to block the goal-bound effort. Two minutes later, it was 3-0 Barnsley...
A lightning quick counter and Mama Thiam slipped Moore away down the left and the big man cut inside onto his right boot before firing home into the bottom corner, 12 yards out.
Mowatt bent a free kick inches over from the edge of the box, before on 66 minutes Cameron McGeehan and George Moncur replaced the booked Dougall and the tiring Thiam.
Two minutes later, the Reds sealed the deal and Moore sealed his hat-trick. Another cool finish inside the box to send the 1,700 or so travelling supporters into raptures.
With 10 minutes remaining Cavare was replaced by Jordan Williams before Tom Bradshaw saw an header cleared off the goalline.
With seconds remaining, McGeehan tried his luck from 20 yards out, forcing sub 'keeper Magnus Norman into turning the effort round the posts for a corner.
But it was back to winning ways for the Reds as they remain unbeaten!
FULL TIME: Rochdale 0-4 Barnsley
Davies, Cavare (Williams), Pinnock, Lindsay, Pinillos, Potts, Mowatt, Dougall (McGeehan), Thiam (Moncur), Bradshaw, Moore.
Att: 4,359 (1,703 Reds)
