Strube hits his stride
GERHARD STRUBER was bursting with pride after marking his home debut as Barnsley boss with a longawaited win.
The bottom-of-the-table Tykes had gone 18 games without victory in league and cup since they won 1-0 at home to Fulham in their first match this season.
Austrian Struber, who arrived 11 days ago from Wolfsberger AC in his native country, lost his opening two games by a single goal.
But skipper Alex Mowatt and midfield sidekick Mike Bahre set each other up in either half, and striker Conor Chaplin sealed the win deep in stoppage time, after Hull substitute Keane Lewis-potter had pulled one back with his first senior goal.
Struber said: “I’m very proud for my boys and for the fans. It’s a special situation for me. I’ve only been here about 10 days and this is our first small step in the right direction – and no more.
“Conor has a nose for goal and he had a cold heart for that goal. And
Alex is a leader, a very important player for us.’’
Barnsley took the lead in the 23rd minute when Mowatt produced a top strike after Bahre had delivered the ball.
The home side argued they should have had a penalty for handball after Hull defender Reece
Burke’s sliding tackle three minutes later, but referee John Brooks dismissed it.
Hull hot-property Jarrod Bowen went close shortly before the break when he clipped the ball beyond keeper Sami Radlinger, but narrowly wide of the post. At the other end, George Long palmed away Mowatt’s free-kick.
It was Mowatt again at the heart of matters in the second half when his leftwing cross was headed in by Chaplin, only for offside to be given.
But Bahre would not be denied his first goal this term in the 75th minute when he slotted home after Mowatt returned the compliment with the assist.
Lewis-potter headed in from close range in the 81st minute after Tom Eaves had knocked back Kamil Grosicki’s centre.
There was a delay as Radlinger had to have his foot disentangled from the net, but there was still time for Chaplin to fire in after being fed by Jacob Brown.
Hull boss Grant Mccann, an ex-barnsley midfielder, said: “Credit to Barnsley. They pressed us well, but we didn’t show calmness.”