Baggies battle Barnsley
As the season drew to a close promotion-chasing Albion saw off the struggling Tykes
WE return to the 2001-02 season that ended with West Bromwich Albion gaining promotion to the Premier League for the first time. As the season wound up, the Baggies were chasing down second placed Wolves and every win was vital if Albion were to grab automatic promotion.
On March 30, 2002, struggling Barnsley came to the Hawthorns and 23,167 spectators were on hand to see Albion put them to the sword.
Albion’s starting line-up was:
Albion’s Portuguese midfielder Jordao stuck out a leg to guide the ball into the back of the Barnsley net
and
Facing them for Barnsley were: Andy Marriott, David Mulligan, Darren Barnard, Steve Chettle, Mike Flynn, Richard Naylor, Chris Barker, Gary Jones, Alex Neil, Kevin Betsy and Bruce Dyer.
Both sides made a jittery start, with Albion pushing for promotion and Barnsley hoping to pull themselves from the relegation mire. As a result, there wasn’t an attempt on goal until the 11th minute – and it was Barnsley that made it. Neil Clement was judged to have fouled Kevin Betsy just outside the penalty area but Darren Barnard sent the free kick over the Albion crossbar.
Albion increased the pressure on Barnsley as the first half continued and the Baggies’ first goal came in the 32nd minute. Igor Balis sent in a corner that the Barnsley defence failed to get clear. As the ball bounced about the area Albion’s Portuguese midfielder Jordao stuck out a leg to guide it into the back of the Barnsley net.
The score at half time was Albion 1,
Barnsley 0. Albion’s boss Gary Megson made his first substitution at half time, bringing off Adam Chambers to bring on Trevor Benjamin for his debut since joining on loan from Leicester City.
The Baggies doubled their lead in the 60th minute, Danny Dichio chanced his luck with a long range shot from 20 yards that took a deflection off Barnsley centre-back Mike Flynn to leave Andy Marriott stranded in his goal.
Albion’s second substitution came three minutes later as Des Lyttle replaced Phil Gilchrist. On 65 minutes Benjamin crowned his debut with a goal. Darren Moore fed him with a long pass that Benjamin took down with great skill before volleying past Marriott.
There was still some fight in Barnsley and Richard Naylor almost pulled one back but Russell Hoult was on hand to tip his shot around the post.
Barnsley got their consolation goal in the 72nd minute when Balis brought down Naylor in the area. Darren Barnard stepped up to take the penalty and coolly sent the ball home.
Albion made their last substitution in the 77th minute, Ruel Fox replacing Scott Dobie. Final score: Albion 3, Barnsley 1. It was a fourth straight win for the Baggies and the result saw them in third place in the table, three points off Wolves in second, who also won that day, beating Burnley 3–2 at Turf Moor. But Albion were ready to pounce should Wolves stumble.