In-form Barnsley record first back-to-back wins with fine goals in defeat of Addicks
BARNSLEY’S strong form continued against Charlton as they picked up their first back-to-back league wins of the season.
A Josh Benson wonderstrike, followed by a cheeky Norwood flick and a Devante Cole goal were enough to give the Reds all three points at Oakwell.
Jack Payne pulled a goal back for the away side late on but it wasn’t enough as the Reds made it five games unbeaten.
Michael Duff made ten changes from Tuesday’s 2-0 Papa John’s Trophy win against Newcastle under 21s.
Only Nicky Cadden, who captained the side in that game, retained his place.
Jack Walton returned from injury to replace
Kiwi Jamie Searle, whilst Ziyad Larkeche’s wonder goal found him a place on the bench.
Injured Brad Collins watched on from the stands with a broken nose, but he’ll be looking to be back between the sticks tomorrow against Fleetwood.
Assistant head coach Martin Paterson switched roles with Duff on the touchline following his spell in the director’s box, but the former striker instead opted to watch the game from the gantry as usual.
The Reds started the brighter, and on nine minutes good pressing from Cole saw a chance for Luke Thomas but he hesitated to shoot.
Minutes later and the Reds opened the scoring through a fantastic Josh Benson strike.
He picked up the ball 30 yards out and smashed a ferocious strike into the top corner.
It was the Barnsley number ten’s fourth goal of the season in all competitions – and his second exemplary strike from range.
It’s clearly something Michael Duff and his coaching staff are working on in training – with Paterson saying it adds something to the team’s game.
The Reds thought they’d doubled their lead on 13 minutes but Cole’s goal was ruled out for offside.
Charlton’s first real chance came on 24 minutes as a Jordan Williams slip allowed Corey BlackettTaylor to run in on goal – but his effort was poor and sailed well over the bar.
Just seconds later, the Addicks nearly levelled. Jesurun Rak-Sakyi would have scored if it wasn’t for a fabulous sliding tackle by new signing Tom Edwards.
It was the story of the match as Ben Garner’s side continued to miss chances they should be scoring – and they would regret that in the second half. Charlton began to take control of the game after that but struggled to create any other clearcut chances as the Reds went into the break leading 1-0.
Both Norwood and Duff said after the game strong words were said at half-time – and within seconds the Reds attacked Charlton’s defence.
Barnsley started the second half the better and had a strong shout for a penalty inside the first 60 seconds, but referee Adam Herczeg waved away appeals.
Barnsley doubled their lead in the 53rd minute as Norwood neatly back-heeled a Cole cross into the net.
Cole had skipped past two Charlton defenders in the box before picking out Barnsley’s number nine.
It was a different, but equally spectacular, goal to the opener – and it continues the Reds’ forwards’ great form.
Ziyad Larkeche made his league debut for the Reds after his impressive performance in midweek, coming on for Cadden in the 65th minute.
He almost picked up an assist seconds later but neither Cole or substitute Adam Phillips could connect with his cross.
Phillips then nearly made it three as he rattled the post from a ferocious strike.
Cole did make it 3-0 on 75 minutes as he fired home in front of the Ponty End.
Herbie Kane played a fantastic pass through to Williams who persevered and laid it off to Cole for the simplest of finishes.
Kane, the Barnsley playmaker, has only just returned from injury but his expertise and experience in the middle of the park will only be a positive for the squad.
His partnership with Benson looks to be the strongest Duff has and Luca Connell, who was pulled from the young Ireland squad due to a hamstring injury, will have a lot to do to regain his place.
Robby Cundy, who returned to the starting 11 after his goal at Cambridge the week before, picked up an injury and was replaced by Conor McCarthy.
With five minutes to play, the Addicks handed themselves a lifeline as Payne fired past Walton to make it 3-1.
It was McCarthy’s loose header which found Charlton forward Jayden Stockley who laid it off to Payne.
It was frustrating for the Reds who would have loved another clean sheet, and it’s the type of moments the coaching staff will need to iron out if they’re to be fighting for promotion this year.
The referee indicated there should be seven minutes added time on at the end off the second half, but the score stayed the same.
Barnsley moved up to fifth in the table despite not being at their best.
Barnsley (3-4-3): Walton 7; Williams 8; Edwards 7, Andersen 7, Cundy 7 (McCarthy 66), Cadden 6 (Larkeche 66), Benson 8, Kane 8, Thomas 6 (Martin 85), Cole 9, Norwood 7 (Phillips 59).
Unused: Searle, Hondermarck, Tedic.
Goals: Benson 10, Norwood 54, Cole 76.
Charlton (4-3-3): Macgillivray; Egbo (Sessegnon 72), Lavelle, O’Connell, Clare, Fraser (Leaburn
59), Dobson (McGrandles 72), Morgan, Rak-Sakyi (Payne 72), Stockley, Blackett-Taylor (Kirk 59).
Unused: Harness, Inniss.
Goals: Payne 85.
Referee: Adam Herczeg (Durham).
Attendance: 10,234 (588 away).