Johnson beams as Tykes turn on style
BARNSLEY boss Lee Johnson admitted he was ‘chuffed’ for his players after they thumped inform Swindon.
The Tykes had endured something of a wobble of late, having lost their previous two league games.
But they were convincing in seeing off Mark Cooper’s side as they hit the net four times.
Johnson said:“The players have put a lot of work in on the training ground this week so I am chuffed for them.
“We fell behind to a poor goal and we were a little bit sloppy early on, but everyone came to the fore in the end.
“This is a tough league don’t forget, so it’s about just sticking in there, and we will do.”
Midfielder Conor Hourihane played a starring role for the Tykes and drew special praise after scoring and creating two more.
“Conor was a massive catalyst for this result,” added Johnson.“He didn’t have the armband on, but he was like a true captain out there. He was immense.”
It was a cracking first half at Oakwell as the Tykes rallied superbly after going behind to a comical own-goal in the 20th minute. As home goalkeeper Nick Townsend charged out to meet Raphael Rossi Branco’s hopeful punt forward, defender Lewin Nyatanga only succeeded in nodding the ball inadvertently into his own net.
However, Johnson’s men were back on terms barely two minutes later. Former Inverness striker Marley Watkins steered his third goal in five games past Lawrence Vigouroux from 15 yards.
The Tykes stormed into the lead a minute before the break when Reece Wabara smashed home from 25 yards after being neatly teed up by Hourihane.
Hourihane was again the provider shortly before the hour mark as Nyatanga registered at the right end to make it 3-1. This time the defender nodded home accurately after meeting a pinpoint in-swinging cross.
Barnsley were utterly dominant in the closing stages and added a fourth goal with 15 minutes to go.
Hourihane was rewarded for a sparkling performance when he pounced to slot home after Josh Scowen’s shot had rebounded out off the crossbar.
Robins boss Cooper was understandably angry.
“We got off to a good start and got given a goal which was pleasing,” Cooper said.
“But after that we defended terribly and that’s frustrating.
“We can do the nice side of things really well, but at places like this you’ve also got to do the ugly stuff.
“Too many players didn’t take enough responsibility.”