Barnsley's WorldNet adventure - Part One
Written by Allen Cooper on Wednesday 29th July 2009

Barnsley Supporters FC finally bowed out of the prestigious WorldNet tournament at the Quarter Final stage after their best ever performance in the annual 64 team event.

The Reds had never previously been past the first knockout stage of the main Cup competition, but blew that record out of the water by knocking out two of the favourites to win the 'Fans World Cup' in Leeds.

Here is the first part of Barnsley's story of WorldNet 2009.

Saturday

Allen Cooper's side had been drawn in Group 10 alongside Burnley, Stockport A and Grimsby Town and played each of the three sides on the opening day of the tournament.

Stockport opened the group with a surprisingly comfortable 2-0 win over Burnley. Barnsley had beaten the Mariners 5-1 in their League campaign, but the opening game in sunny West Yorkshire turned out to be a much tougher affair.

Group 10: Barnsley 1-0 Grimsby

The Reds started the game well and dominated the opening stages of the match. There was almost a rare goal for manager Allen Cooper as he saw his 20 yard effort crash back off the inside of the post midway through the opening period. The ball however fell invitingly for striker Simon Newey just eight yards out but somehow he blazed the ball over the crossbar.

However, it wasn't long before the pacey forward made amends by streaking down the right wing past two defenders, before pulling the ball back for strike partner Rob PICK to smash home from 12 yards.

Grimsby made a real go of it in the second 15 minute period and only a couple of last ditch tackles from Chris Lee and a brilliant block from Jonno Smales prevented the Lincolnshire outfit from earning a point. Much improvement was needed in the remaining two games.

Barnsley Squad:
Danny Haig, Alex Varley, Jonno Smales, Gavin Saville, Chris Lee, Allen Cooper, Matt Goodwin, Jon Harper, Phil McNulty, Rob Pick, Simon Newey.
Subs: Josh Mills, Bill Redfern, Richard Brown, Lee Beard, Ian Sowden, Kieron Brown

Rob Pick fires in Barnsley's winner against Grimsby.

Burnley then blew the group wide open by defeating Grimsby to take themselves onto three points and level with the Reds and Stockport who were next to meet.

Group 10: Barnsley 0-0 Stockport A

This proved to be the most frustrating group game for Barnsley as they dominated almost from start to finish but just could not make the breakthrough in the half hour fixture.

Ian Sowden's pace was a constant threat to County's back line, but the Reds forward had no luck in front of goal. He was played in superbly by Richard Brown and seemed to have opened the scoring with a low shot, only for the ball to cannon off the inside of the post for the second time in two games for Barnsley. Sowden was again played in and did superbly well to escape the attentions of the Hatters' defence but this time his shot evaded the keeper's right hand post as he looked for the far corner of the net.

With Chris Lee and Bill Redfern outstanding at the back, goalkeeper Danny Haig could have been forgiven for rolling out a deck chair in between the Reds' sticks, but without luck at the other end the game finished goalless.

Barnsley Squad:
Danny Haig, Josh Mills, Jonno Smales, Bill Redfern, Chris Lee, Richard Brown, Lee Beard, Jon Harper, Phil McNulty, Ian Sowden, Kieron Brown.
Subs: Alex Varley, Gavin Saville, Allen Cooper, Matt Goodwin, Rob Pick, Simon Newey

The Reds take a half time breather against Stockport.

Barnsley knew that qualification for the main Cup competition was now within reach, and that a win over Burnley in a crunch Roses clash would see them through. Defeat however, and it would most likely be a place in the secondary Plate event on Sunday.

Group 10: Barnsley 2-0 Burnley

Barnsley left their best performance on Saturday until when it really mattered in the final match against the Clarets. Burnley were without England goalscorer Richard Davies, but Jon Harper's international midfield partner was in their side and was hard to miss in his bright yellow boots.

Captain Harper actually sat out this one due to Barnsley's squad rotation, but Richard Brown and Phil McNulty instantly bossed the middle of the field and began creating chances. Simon Newey had already gone close when he was shoved in the back right on the edge of the penalty area. McNulty was seemingly sizing up a left footed curler when to everyone's surprise NEWEY stepped up and smashed a low shot past Scotland keeper Will O'Neil.

Things got even better for the Reds just minutes later, when Rob Pick's delightful through ball found winger Matt Goodwin just ahead of O'Neil. GOODWIN had been forced wide and out of the area, yet despite this managed to send a stunning lob over two defenders and the retreating O'Neil and into the Burnley net.

The men from across the Pennines were not going to give up easily though and briefly threatened when the aforementioned England midfielder almost repeated his goalscoring feat from Friday's International but keeper Haig watched his 25 yard shot fizz just over his crossbar.

Burnley's frustration was becoming apparent when Reds' striker Kieron Brown incurred the wrath of captain O'Neil for a perfectly reasonable challenge on the by-line. Incredibly it was Brown whom the referee decided needed more of a stern word despite the Claret's keeper petulantly throwing the ball at the Barnsley forward in retaliation.

There were further opportunities at both ends, but Barnsley's back four once again held firm to ensure the Reds had made it through Saturday without conceding a goal and into the WorldNet Cup the following day as Group winners.

Vice captain Phil McNulty gives a last minute teamtalk before the 2-0 win over Burnley.

Simon Newey steps up to open the scoring against Burnley.

Despite a defeat to plucky Grimsby, it was Stockport A who joined Barnsley in Sunday's thrilling main event.

Barnsley Squad:
Danny Haig, Alex Varley, Josh Mills, Gavin Saville, Bill Redfern, Allen Cooper, Matt Goodwin, Richard Brown, Phil McNulty, Rob Pick, Simon Newey.
Subs: Jonno Smales, Chris Lee, Jon Harper, Lee Beard, Ian Sowden, Kieron Brown.

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