TYKES ANGER AT REF AFTER RARE DEFEAT
BARNSLEY boss Neill Collins hit out at referee Ben Speedie’s performance in a controversial defeat at Charlton – their first away loss since November.
After two excellent goals from Alfie May had twice given Charlton the lead either side of an Adam Phillips penalty, a feisty second period saw a volley from Fabio Jalo ruled out for a tight offside decision.
“We should have been sitting here with a point,” said Collins. “But we’re not because of a poor decision at the end of the game. He’s a yard onside, so I’m really disappointed with that.”
The visitors also had a shout for a penalty before the one they were awarded in the first half, when Devante Cole and Michael Hector tangled.
“It’s a stonewall penalty,” Collins said. “Devante goes through, he’s about to shoot, he gets bundled over. How he didn’t get that, I’m not quite sure.”
The Barnsley boss did concede his side had the chances to win the game.
He said: “At half-time we should have been in the lead. But we weren’t because of missed opportunities. Cole is going through a little period right now. I’m sure it will be a matter of time before he’s putting them in the back of the net.
“Alfie May showed why he’s the top goalscorer in the league, with two great finishes. We’ve got players who are capable of doing that, but we probably passed up too many good opportunities, and Charlton were pretty clinical.”
May broke the deadlock with a tremendous free-kick in the 20th minute, with Adam Phillips levelling the scoring eight minutes later from the penalty spot following a handball by Kayne Ramsay.
But, after a dreadful miss from inside the sixyard box by Cole, the Addicks regained the lead in the 40th minute when May curled in a shot from the left corner of the box following a clever dummy by George Dobson.
A feisty second period saw Chuks Aneke miss a 94th-minute penalty after Liam Roberts fouled Tyreece Campbell, and Barnsley assistant coach Jon Stead sent off for dissent a minute later.
It is two wins from seven and no goals in 12 for Barnsley and Cole respectively, but the Tykes still only need seven points from their last five games to guarantee a playoff spot.
The Addicks have now gone 11 games without defeat and manager Nathan Jones was also quick to praise his star forward May.
“Alfie took his chances really well,” he said. “On the counter we were a constant threat and could have had more.
“It’s an absolutely massive three points for us – a really good performance.
“They’re in the playoffs, they score goals freely, they’ve got one of the best away records. So for us to win the game, we’re delighted.”
After a winter just above the relegation zone, Jones has steadied the ship.
Asked about what it takes to turn a club’s fortunes around so quickly, Jones said: “Every part of your life. Literally every part of your life.
“I live away from family. Anyone who works at the football club knows the hours we do, knows what we watch, knows how we prepare, knows how meticulous we are on every aspect of what we do.”