Two sensational goals from Victor Adeboyejo and Louis Wardle ensured Barnsley left Hillsborough with all three points on Friday evening.
Jordan Lonchar replied for Sheffield Wednesday, but the Reds held on to claim a morale-boosting and well-deserved victory in the South Yorkshire derby.
It was a fiery opening few minutes, with challenges flying in from all angles but no real chances of note for either side. However, midway through the first half, Barnsley created the first opening as Cameron Simpson drove into the area, only for his shot deflect wide.
The visitors looked dangerous from set-pieces all evening and came close to taking the lead when Wardle’s corner narrowly evaded the head of Jasper Moon.
Romal Palmer then cut in from the left and crashed a low drive into the side-netting as the Reds continued to penetrate the Owls’ backline.
Wednesday almost snatched a goal just before half-time as David Jones connected sweetly with a loose ball on the edge of the box, but Henry Kendrick produced a stunning save to turn his effort over the bar.
HALF-TIME: Sheffield Wednesday 0-0 Barnsley
It had been a productive first 45 for Martin Devaney’s side, who were playing with confidence and hassling their hosts to quickly regain possession.
Four minutes after the interval, Barnsley were awarded a free-kick 25-yards from goal and Adeboyejo stepped up to curl home a magnificent strike that clipped the underside of the bar on the way in.
It was a goal of real quality, but there was better to come from the visitors.
On 67 minutes, Wednesday half-cleared a free-kick from the right and the ball dropped perfectly for Wardle who thumped it into the top corner on the volley from 25-yards to send the Reds’ players delirious.
That goal seemed to spark the hosts into life and they responded almost immediately as Lonchar side-footed home from close range to reduce the arrears.
Neil Robinson’s side pushed hard for an equaliser in the closing stages but, despite six minutes of stoppage time, were unable to find a way through Barnsley’s resilient defensive unit as the visitors held on for all three points.
OWLS XI: Wildsmith, Hughes, Clarke, Lee, Brennan, van Aken (O’Grady, 80), Kirby (Lonchar, 62), Jones, Stobbs (c), Waldock (Hunt, 46), Shaw.
Not used: McCulloch, West.
REDS XI: Kendrick, Helliwell, Fielding, Moon, Simpson (Willard, 72), Wardle, Palmer (c) (Pache, 81), Otim, Trialist, Adeboyejo, McDonagh (Chisholm, 83).
Not used: Widdop, Feeney.
