Barnsley claimed bragging rights in the South Yorkshire derby with a magnificent 2-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.
Goals from Devante Cole and James Norwood were enough for the Reds to take all three points back up the M1 following a performance of real character.
It was the perfect display from Michael Duff’s side, and greeted by raucous applause from the 2,500+ travelling supporters in the Leppings Lane End.
The game’s first real chance came Barnsley’s way as Jack Aitchison danced down the left flank, skipping away from a couple of challenges, and pulled the ball back for Liam Kitching, but he fired over the crossbar.
Two more opportunities fell our way in the opening exchanges – both to Cole. First, the forward did brilliantly to charge down David Stockdale, but was unable to beat the Owls’ stopper from an acute angle, before seeing a fierce effort from 25-yards whiz past the upright.
Eventually, the Reds’ perseverance was rewarded just after the half hour mark when Luke Thomas’ through ball for Aitchison ricocheted into the path of Cole, who calmly slotted beyond the onrushing Stockdale and into the bottom corner.
It was a fine first half display and, in truth, we were rarely troubled by a Wednesday side that came into this encounter on the back of a 5-0 victory over Forest Green Rovers in their last league outing.
The hosts' only glimpses of Brad Collins’ goal before the break were from set-pieces, that the Reds repelled with excellent defensive organisation.
HALF-TIME: Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Barnsley
Naturally, Wednesday came flying out of the blocks after the interval, and a dinked ball over the top found Lee Gregory, but he was unable to get his shot away before Collins raced off his line and reclaimed possession.
Moments later, though, Luke Thomas came agonisingly close to doubling the lead when he intercepted a loose pass from Stockdale and drove at the Owls’ backline before cannoning an attempt from range off the underside of the bar.
Gregory then squandered a golden opportunity to level for the hosts with an hour on the clock as he was picked out by Tyreeq Bakinson but failed to prod beyond Collins from point blank range.
It was relentless and end-to-end, and the next chance fell to the Reds when Thomas played an inch perfect slide-rule pass through for Aitchison, whose effort was blocked by a scrambling defender.
From Luca Connell’s free-kick, Aitchison’s low drive was kept out by Stockdale before Conor McCarthy’s rebound was deflected behind for a corner.
The Reds made three substitutions prior to that set-piece being taken, and one of those was Norwood, who powered home into the roof of the net with his first touch just seconds after being introduced.
Wednesday searched for a route back into the game and Barry Bannan’s free-kick was met by the head of former Reds loanee Michael Smith, but Collins was equal to his effort and tipped it around the post.
With five minutes remaining, we had a glorious chance to add the icing to the cake as Connell played a fine pass into the path of Norwood, only for our number 9 to be thwarted by the legs of Stockdale.
The Reds saw the game out well, though, managing possession with maturity and running the clock down to claim a priceless victory.
FULL-TIME: Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 Barnsley
REDS XI: Collins (GK), Williams, Cundy, Andersen (C), McCarthy, Kitching, Benson (Wolfe, 32), Connell (Kane, 86), Thomas (Martin, 73), Aitchison (Tedić, 73), Cole (Norwood, 73).
Not used: Walton (GK), Edwards.
OWLS XI: Stockdale (GK), Palmer, Iorfa, Gregory, Bannan (C), Windass (Wilks, 64), Byers, Johnson (Smith, 70), Bakinson (Mighten, 64), Ihiekwe, McGuinness (James, 64).
Not used: Dawson (GK), Vaulks, Paterson.
