It was a perfect homecoming for Barnsley this afternoon, picking up a big three points in an end-to-end scrap with Coventry City.
Austrian forward Dominik Frieser was the match-winner for the Reds today, his cool first half finish enough for a first win of the 21/22 season.
The Reds could have been ahead inside the opening minute when after some great link-up play, Morris slid the ball into the box and it looked destined to fall to Cauley Woodrow six yards from goal, but Gustavo Hamer diverted it last second, with City 'keeper Simon Moore alert to grasp it on the line.
The visitors then threatened immediately at the other end through the lively Callum O'Hare, but his vicious shot from the edge of the box went high and wide of Brad Collins' goal.
Hamer was next to cause problems in the Reds box with an outswinging free-kick that defender Kyle McFadzean headed just over the bar, before Swedish forward Viktor Gyökeres mis-hit a volley at the far post that still hit the top of the crossbar on its way through.
A cruel blow for the Reds came on the half-hour mark as Carlton Morris had to be withdrawn with what looked a nasty injury to his right knee; Clarke Oduor the replacement.
But as the game became scrappy, the Reds found a way through. It was a great through-ball from the outstanding Romal Palmer which Frieser ran onto with a perfectly timed move, and the Ice Man finished impeccably, low and to the right of the 'keeper who had no chance, from 14 yards out.
HALF-TIME: Reds 1-0 Coventry
There were less opportunities after the break for either side, but Michał Helik was unlucky to see an hooked effort go just over the bar following a badly cleared corner kick.
Woodrow flicked a header wide after some impressive football again in midfield, with Palmer once more the orchestrator, wowing the 14,000 crowd with his ball skills.
The Sky Blues tested Collins at last when Hamer's powerful free-kick had to be acrobatically touched over by the Reds' stopper, before O'Hare blazed wide after beating Helik and surging into the box.
In a game that didn't see a bad challenge from either side, the referee, Mr Busby somehow found reason to book no less than eight Reds players, and in injury time he awarded the away side a penalty kick, giving Coventry a huge chance to rescue a point.
But Collins guessed right, diving low to his right, denying Gyökeres and guaranteeing Barnsley a first win of the new season, and a first under Markus Schopp.
FULL-TIME: Reds 1-0 Coventry
Collins, Brittain, Sibbick, Helik, Kitching, B.Williams (J.Williams), Styles, Palmer (Benson), Woodrow, Morris (Oduor), Frieser.
Unused: Walton, Halme, Moon, Adeboyejo.
