FREEDOM OF THE BORO
Pulis praises ‘smashing football’ as Bamford enters record books
PATRICK BAMFORD equalled a 27-year club record to keep Boro in the play-off frame with their third win on the bounce.
The former Chelsea striker scored his fifth goal in eight games to keep Tony Pulis’s side firmly in the top six.
And Bamford, given the centre-forward role by his manager after Rudy Gestede’s broken ankle ruled him out for the season, became the first Boro player since Bernie Slaven in 1991 to score in three successive matches.
His goal was fortunate. Stewart Downing’s deep cross bounced off his knee and past Nick Townsend after the Barnsley keeper had flapped at the former England winger’s corner.
Pulis (below) said: “He was in the right place at the right time. A lot of players would not be in that position, including me, so he is delighted.
“We are playing some smashing football. The challenge now is to stay up there. It is their responsibility but I am delighted with the way they have responded.
“This has been a tough week, with three tough games, but we have got the results we wanted and needed, so I can’t be too harsh on them.”
The home side took the lead in the first minute when Daniel Ayala beat Dimitri Cavare and Adam Jackson to prod Ryan Shotton’s cross past Townsend.
Boro doubled their advantage through the outstanding Adama Traore who fired home his fourth of the season in the 17th minute.
Barnsley rallied after finally scoring in the 58th minute when Darren Randolph spilled Gary Gardner’s speculative shot into Kieffer Moore’s path. The striker, who also hit the woodwork late on, headed the rebound firmly past the Irish keeper. Barnsley boss Jose Morais said: “We did not control the game in the first half but we showed what we can do in the second. We have to find a way to get results.
“We need to be in a better position and I’ll take some encouragement from today.”