Barnsley maintained their promotion push with a fantastic 3-0 victory over Plymouth Argyle on Saturday afternoon.
Second half goals from Adam Phillips, Mads Andersen and Nicky Cadden ensured we extended our unbeaten run to 10 games – and we did so in style by dismantling a side that has been in the top two for large parts of the campaign.
After Barnsley saw an early Herbie Kane effort ruled out for offside against James Norwood, the first half passed with very little incident, as neither side particularly troubled the opposition goalkeeper.
The visitors looked to utilise the pace of Ryan Hardie in behind, while the Reds aimed to win possession back high up the pitch and break in numbers.
Argyle’s clearest sight of goal was a result of a scramble inside the area which we eventually hacked clear after Andersen had produced a sprawling block.
Our main attacking outlet was via the flanks as the ever-willing Cadden and Jordan Williams got forward well, but their dangerous crosses narrowly evaded everyone in a Red shirt.
HALF-TIME: Barnsley 0-0 Plymouth Argyle
If the first half was a cagey affair, the second was anything but. Within moments of the restart, Hardie pounced on a loose ball and was only denied by a stupendous piece of goalkeeping from Harry Isted on the edge of his box.
Stung by that lapse in concentration at the back, Barnsley carved out some chances of their own and Norwood’s glancing header forced a decent save from Callum Burton.
Minutes later, Kane tried his luck on the half-volley, rasping an effort down the throat of the Plymouth goal that was gathered comfortably.
Oakwell sensed the breakthrough was coming, and Luca Connell should have opened the scoring after we stole possession in the final third, but he dragged his shot wide of the post.
Eventually, though, the deadlock was broken on the hour mark as we worked the ball well down the left flank, and Norwood teed up Phillips to rifle into the bottom corner from 25-yards.
Full of confidence, the Reds pushed forward for a second and found it when Bobby Thomas’ looping cross was powered home at the back post by Andersen, who celebrated wildly in front of a raucous Ponty End.
The points were sealed late on through Cadden’s superb curling free-kick from the edge of the area that soared into the top corner – his second stunner in a week – to keep our positive momentum going.
FULL-TIME: Barnsley 3-0 Plymouth Argyle
REDS XI: Isted (GK), Williams, B Thomas, Andersen (C), Kitching, Cadden, Phillips (J Benson, 72), Connell (Russell, 90), Kane (L Thomas, 84), Norwood (Tedić, 72), Cole (Watters, 46).
Not used: Searle (GK), Larkeche.
ARGYLE XI: Burton (GK), Gillesphey, Wilson (C) (Mayor, 65), Butcher, Hardie (Ennis, 65), Miller (Edwards, 56), Mumba, Azaz (Waine, 74), Lonwijk, Wright, Matete (Houghton, 74).
Not used: Parkes (GK), Bolton.
