Whitby Wanderers 1-4 Barnsley Supporters FC
Written by Allen Cooper on Friday 11th September 2009

Three second half goals ensured that Barnsley eased to their first win of the season after a spirited resistance from Wanderers had threatened to cause an upset.

The victory kept the Reds' unbeaten start to the season going following their opening draw at Ilkeston where two goals in the last seven minutes had earned a share of the spoils.

Barnsley had the first real chance of the game when Jonno Smales' long throw caused havoc in the Whitby penalty area and Kieron Brown's far post effort was blocked just two yards from goal.

The opener took just over half an hour to arrive and when it came it was in somewhat comical fashion. Alex Varley's long ball forward was flicked on by Lee Beard to Baz Goodwin, whose lobbed through-ball bounced over the onrushing Craig Reeves and was headed home by son Matt GOODWIN.

It was the goal a slightly drab affair had needed and the Reds quickly looked to add to their advantage. Firstly Sam Owen, the hat-trick hero from the season's opener, was denied by Reeves and then Matt Goodwin's looping header narrowly missed the angle of bar and post.

The home side were much improved on last season but stout defending from the visitors had restricted them to a couple of long range efforts in the first half.

HALF TIME: WHITBY WANDERERS 0-1 BARNSLEY SUPPORTERS FC

Barnsley were determined to put on a better show in the second period, but early on only managed a series of long range efforts from Owen, who seemed determined to repeat his heroics from the Ilkeston game.

Matt Goodwin had the Reds' first good opportunity of the half but could only blast over the bar from 10 yards when well positioned.

The second strike finally arrived though when captain Phil McNulty's right wing corner was powerfully headed home by centre back Bill REDFERN. The powerful defender has become notorious at BSFC for his goalscoring prowess from set plays.

Wanderers were not going to give up though, and soon found themselves back in the game in quite bizarre fashion. A hopeful looking long ball flicked off the head of Chris Lee and into the path of Danny Moore who rounded Danny Haig and slotted the ball home. Moore was clearly at least 10 yards offside when the initial ball was played, but the referee deemed that as it then touched Lee's head that the goal stood, much to the bemusement of the Barnsley players.

The Reds should have restored their two goal cushion when superb back heels from Rob Pick and Kieron Brown sent Gavin Saville clean through but he shot straight at Reeves from 10 yards and the danger was cleared.

The third did arrive shortly after though, and again it was from a McNulty set piece. His free kick from the right caused panic in the Whitby area and Kieron BROWN was on hand to stab the ball home from inside the six yard box.

Brown almost scored again but was well denied by Reeves with McNulty blazing the ball into orbit from the rebound.

The victory was sealed when Pick's intelligent cross was turned in at the far post by OWEN who finally got on the score sheet after a host of earlier attempts.

Pick almost got a deserved goal himself when cleverly put through by McNulty but Reeves made a fine diving save to prevent the Reds' top scorer from last season opening his account this campaign. The same man was then played in in a four on one situation but Reeves again saved, this time with his feet.

It hadn't been Barnsley's finest performance, but it was another three points in the bag and in the end, a comfortable victory.

For league table click here.

Whitby Wanderers: Craig Reeves, Ian Ellison, Steve Hunter, Mike Thomas (c), Andy Wales, Callum Michie, Danny Magill, Paul Waring, Darren Magill, Gary Marsay, Dan Wilson
Subs: Reuban Hartley, Danny Moore, Dan Barrett

Barnsley: Danny Haig; Josh Mills, Ben Wanless, Gavin Saville, Jonno Smales; Lee Beard, Richard Brown, Phil McNulty (c), Kieron Brown; Rob Pick, Matt Goodwin
Subs (all used): Alex Varley, Chris Lee, Bill Redfern, Sam Owen, Allen Cooper, Baz Goodwin

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