Report: Derby County 2-3 Barnsley
Written by Matt Goodwin on Wednesday 16th September 2009

Barnsley earned their first win of the Championship season after an exhilarating clash at Pride Park.

As promised by manager Mark Robins, there were several changes from the defeat to Watford at the weekend. Jamal Campbel-Ryce was ruled out with an eye-injury, as Anderson de Silva, Martin Devaney and O'Neill Thompson watched from the sidelines, but Kayode Odejayi wasn't even named in the squad.

In came Adam Hammill, Iain Hume, Hugo Colace and Jacob Butterfield in what was a 4-4-2 formation for the Tykes, with Gray and Hume up-front.

Both sides started well in a fast encounter but neither side tested either goalkeeper.

A couple of half-chances fell to the home-side through Hulse and Moxey but it was the former who finally broke the deadlock in style after 25 minutes. A wicked cross from former Norwich man Lee Croft from the right met the head of HULSE in the box, the front-man made no mistake in powering the ball past a helpless Preece.

There were certainly no signs of the 'old Barnsley' where heads would drop and allow a Derby onslaught. An attack from the Reds ended in a free-kick in a very dangerous position, but Iain Hume could only bend his effort wide of Bywater's upright.

Derby should have doubled their advantage on 33 minutes with what was a carbon-copy of the opener. Croft's cross again found Hulse's free-run into the box, but the former Sheff Utd man couldn't connect with the ball in front of an open-goal.

Barnsley levelled things up three minutes later through what must be a strong contender for goal of the month. Young winger Adam HAMMILL cut in from the left and fired a tremendous right-footed effort into the top-corner from 25-yards.

A rejuvenated Reds side finally gained some confidence from that moment of magic and deservedly went in level at the break.

It was the second half where the Reds really showed just what they're capable of, and it seemed that new manager Mark Robins - in only his second game - has breathed a new lease-of-life into the dressing room.

As the game wore on Barnsley grew stronger, taking the lead in the 57th minute. Emil Hallfredsson charged forward with the ball on a great counter-attack before feeding a perfectly-weighted pass in for striker Andy GRAY to finish well against the onrushing Bywater. The following Reds fans were ecstatic with what was a top-drawer finish, from a Championship-quality striker.

Some stalwart defending from the Reds kept Derby at bay, with both Foster and Moore - on his old hunting ground - keeping the heart of Barnsley's defence beating.

Andy Gray led the line well for the Reds and never stopped running, putting Derby under lots of pressure - it was just what the Doctor ordered.

Stephen Bywater nearly gifted Barnsley a third as his poor clearance was picked up by Colace, but the Argentine couldn't capitalise on a terrible blunder.

The impressive Hallfredsson left the field on a stretcher on 83 minutes after taking a knock to his standing-leg. Anderson de Silva replaced the Icelander, and the Brazilian had a point to prove after his disappointing display in Watford at the weekend.

Paul Dickov couldn't level the scores for the home-side when Preece reacted well to smother a loose ball into the box.

A few fans rubbed their eyes in disbelief as the fourth official indicated a minimum of eight minutes to be added on in stoppage time.

The Reds weren't disheartened however, as the ubiquitous Gray found the path of the fresh-legged ANDERSON DE SILVA with an incredible pass three minutes into stoppage time. The Brazilian skipped past Bywater in his usual relaxed manner, and strolled with the ball into an empty net. It was a rare delight for the Barnsley fans to see their team collect three points, let alone away from home.

Derby had time to pull a goal back in the amazing eight minutes of stoppage time. With only two minutes left, Shaun BARKER nodded home a corner for the Rams but it was too little, too late for Nigel Clough's men - who slipped to their third straight defeat.

With several strong contenders for man of the match including Darren Moore and Emil Hallfredsson - Andy Gray was in fine form to grab a great goal and then set up Anderson with his exceptional vision.

Man of the Match: Andy Gray

Derby County: Bywater, Connolly, Addison, Barker, Moxey, Croft (Pearson 84), Savage, Livermore, Teale, Commons, Hulse (Dickov 58).
Subs: Deeney, McEveley, Leacock, Pringle, Hendrie.

Barnsley: Preece, Hassell, Koluk, Foster, Moore, Hallfredsson (Anderson 85), Hume (61), Colace, Hammill, Butterfield, Gray.
Subs: Rusling, Thompson, Heslop, Devaney, Coulson.

Referee: Mr N S Miller

Attendance: 27,609 (748 Barnsley supporters)

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