SLOPPY TYKES ARE PUNISHED BY CAMPBELL
WITH potential new club owner Chien Lee sat in the stand watching, dominant Barnsley were stunned by a predatory late winner from Hull substitute Fraizer Campbell.
Chinese billionaire Lee, who has previously attempted to acquire stakes in Brentford and Middlesbrough, was at Oakwell yesterday, sitting alongside Patrick Cryne, the current Tykes owner who is terminally ill.
On the field it was largely grim fair decided in the 78th minute when Campbell pounced from close range after Tykes defender Liam Lindsay had hacked fellow substitute Jackson Irvine’s header off the line.
Tykes boss Paul Heckingbottom, who was also in the stand while serving the second of a two-match touchline ban, was downbeat following a first loss in four games.
“I’m both upset for the players and angry with them at the same time,” he said. “We didn’t take the chances that came our way, and there were plenty of them. We just didn’t capitalise when we were on top.
“Hull have won the game with their first shot on target – I think they only had two on target throughout the whole game.
“We did dominate, but when you don’t take your opportunities that puts the pressure on elsewhere on the field.
“We’ve seen the perfect example of what can happen to you if you’re not ruthless enough in both boxes.
“I’ve said before this league can be unforgiving. We’ve seen that again here.”
The hosts were the major force throughout a rather pedestrian opening period. The Tigers were toothless, not creating a single goalscoring opportunity.
Harvey Barnes went close for the hosts early on, while Cameron McGeehan’s wellstruck effort was deflected narrowly wide.
The closest the Tykes came was just before the half-hour mark when McGeehan’s fizzing half-volley only just cleared the crossbar.
The theme continued into the second period with Adam Hammill seeing a piledriver saved by Tigers keeper Allan McGregor, and in the end the Tykes were punished for their profligacy in front of goal.
Campbell struck to send the visiting fans wild, although the hosts came mightily close to a dramatic late equaliser when substitute Ryan Hedges saw a cracking strike saved by the out- stretched leg of McGregor. And Tigers boss Leonid Slutsky wore a huge smile after the game.
His side had just secured a first win on the road in 427 days, and only a second victory anywhere in eight matches.
“It wasn’t the best match I know, but for us it was a very important victory,” he said.
“It’s been a year without a victory away from home, and for me this was my first Yorkshire derby, so I am very happy.
“I’m happy for the players and the fans, who were excellent throughout the game.
“Maybe at the end of the game we didn’t deserve to win, but we have deserved a win over the past couple of months. We were lucky out there, so we have to take that and hopefully take some confidence from it.
“We need to play at that high level all the time. We have to go away and learn how to win these kind of very close matches. Hopefully we can then start climbing the league table.”