Tykes stay unbeaten thanks to Moore
TWO goals from Kieffer Moore meant Barnsley maintained their unbeaten start as they beat a stubborn Gillingham at Oakwell, with Josh Parker netting a consolation.
Barnsley started on the front foot and after 13 minutes of pressure took the lead when Moore unleashed a thunderous effort from 20 yards, beating Tomas Holy at his near post.
In the 33rd minute, Barnsley doubled their advantage. Elliott List was adjudged to have fouled George Moncur inside the box and Moore stepped up and calmly sent Holy the wrong way, slotting down the middle.
On the stroke of halftime, Gillingham thought they’d got one back. From a set-piece, the ball fell to Brandon Hanley who slid the ball across to Tom Eaves who found the net, only to be flagged for offside.
On the hour-mark Gillingham, finally got one back. Adam Davies saved at pointblank range but after a scramble, Parker forced the loose ball over the line.
Barnsley boss Daniel Stendel said: “For 65 minutes we had control of the game, we had control of the opponent, we played very good in possession and we created chances to score. At 2-0 in front I was satisfied we had one moment where we sleep quite comically and it was 2-1.
“I was a little bit surprised, the last 20 minutes were not easy for us.
“The situation changed, Gillingham launched long balls and in the end we had a problem with set-pieces.
Gillingham manager Steve Lovell said: “That’s the game in a nutshell – you can’t give a team like Barnsley two goals. You can’t give any side two goals and expect to come back, especially against a quality side like they’ve got.
“I’m disappointed because we knew they would create problems and they did, but we gave them two goals. “For the first goal I blame Tom Holy. It’s gone in at the near post. It’s a great strike, but the goalkeeper’s got to save that. The second one’s a penalty from a corner and we knew they do a short corner. Elliott List doesn’t do his job and concedes a penalty.
“To be fair they’ve done us proud second half. They fought for everything, we had a few opportunities where we could’ve got something at the end.”