South Yorkshire Derby Spoils Go Barnsley’s Way

Barnsley 1 Rotherham United 0
Morris (2)

The South Yorkshire derby at Oakwell was decided by a controversial goal just two minutes in this afternoon.

The hosts started the better with Millers goalkeeper Viktor Johansson having to make a fingertip save in the opening minute from Callum Brittain. The resulting corner came in with Michal Helik heading to former Miller Carlton Morris who seemed to clatter the Millers’ ‘keeper as the ball went into the net. For a few seconds Morris stopped, referee Gavin Ward stopped then gave the goal much to the annoyance of the white shirted visitors. Johansson had treatment on the pitch for the obvious (to all except Mr Ward) foul having to be substituted and Jamal Blackman coming on in his place. Rotherham got a corner on twelve minutes which didn’t get past the first defender. Minutes later Richard Wood did well to hastle Michael Sollbauer but can’t get a shot away before Brad Collins in the Barnsley goal did well to pluck the ball out of the air from a shot from Michael Ihiekwe. On twenty-one minutes Lewis Wing found Chieo Ogbene, who was causing some problems, with Collins in the right place at the right time to save the shot. An Alex Mowatt free-kick was headed away by Wing before a good kick down field from Blackman found Michael Smith but a foul was given against the Millers forward on the edge of the box. Shaun MacDonald sent a super ball down the pitch which found Freddie Ladapo who tried to get round the Barnsley ‘keeper who put it out for a Rotherham throw. The first yellow of the afternoon went to Shaun MacDonald for stopping Aapo Halme making headway. Some super work from Wing saw him get the ball to Ogbene who put the ball in for Ladapo who in turn won a corner. A ball into the air from Jamie Lindsay was brought down by Ladapo who sent it to Smith with the strikers shot blocked. Lindsay did well to keep a head a Mowatt free-kick away. A Rotherham free-kick taken by Wing found Ihiekwe who put the ball towards goal only for it to end up with Collins. A couple of minutes later a Wing corner was headed across goal to Lindsay who in turn found Ladapo but the Millers striker slipped and Collins got down to smother. In time added on Millers skipper saw yellow for a foul on Dike, who Wood had kept very quiet in the first half.

Barnsley started the second half with Jordan Williams replacing Callum Styles but it was the Millers who started the better when Michael Smith and Ryan Giles worked well to send a ball in which was just too long for Freddie Ladapo. A minute later Chieo Ogbene got the ball and working his way into the box decided to stay on his feet to shoot with the ball being put behind for a corner. Ladapo makes space for himself and gets a superb ball from Smith and with the goal at his mercy his feet let him down and the chance went begging. A second change for the hosts saw Toby Sibbick replace Michael Sollbauer. Angus MacDonald brought Daryl Dike down and earned himself a booking. Smith did well to keep the ball in but Brad Collins isn’t fooled before the ball fell to Ladapo who was adjudged to have fouled Williams. The second change for the visitors saw George Hirst on for Freddie Ladapo. A header from Cauley Woodrow found Dike who put his shot past the post. Hirst won a corner which Wing took but the ball evaded everyone before Ogbene was about to set off on a run but was brought down by Sibbick who was given a yellow card for his trouble. Jamal Blackman did well to set Hirst off who played a one-two with Smith winning a corner which Wing took into the box getting a second which he took short to Giles who found Lindsay but the Scot can’t turn the ball into the net. At the other end Shaun MacDonald and Wood made a bit of a mess allowing Dike to get in with Wood managing to get a foot to the ball to put it out. A triple change for Rotherham saw Ben Wiles, Wes Harding and Florian Jozefzoon come on for Shaun MacDonald, Richard Wood and Jamie Lindsay. A great cross in from Harding saw Smith head the ball which went inches wide. Aapo Halme is the next player to go in the book for kicking the ball away. A Giles cross found Smith who headed the ball on for Ogbene but the winger couldn’t get any power in his header. The board went up for five extra minutes with the hosts fetching on Victor Adeboyejo for their goalscorer Carlton Morris. Hirst might have equalised but won a corner which Blackman came up for but Wing saw the corner go out for a throw-in which fell to Ogbene but his cross into the box was cleared.

Well, I think Barnsley will know they’ve been in a battle this afternoon. I don’t think Jamal Blackman had much to do to be honest. But – and there’s always a but – we still aren’t taking the chances we get in front of goal. Smith, Ladapo and Ogbene had good chances to get the ball into the net today. Then again, if we’d had a ‘proper’ official it could have been a whole different ball game. OK Ogbene didn’t go down but if it’s a foul it’s a foul and if it’s in the penalty area it’s a penalty – isn’t it? And don’t get me started on the foul on Viktor Johansson – I’m still fuming.

The top of the Championship table might have been decided today with both Norwihc and Watford being promoted – well done! – but it’s tense at the bottom with bottom six all losing. Those two games in hand are looking more and more important.