[BFC SITE] Late winner ensures Reds victory at Bloomfield Road

A late winner from Marc Roberts ensured all three points for Darrell Clarke’s Barnsley FC at Bloomfield Road, as they saw past Blackpool in a 2-1 victory in a confident, battling performance.

The Reds’ first chance of the game came eight minutes in, as Georgie Gent picked up the ball following great link-up play with Davis Keillor-Dunn, however, the wing-back was unable to convert his shot following a great run into the area.

Blackpool were not without their own chances, however, with Gabriel Slonina producing an outstanding save in the 13th minute to deny a powerful effort from Dom Ballard just inside the area.

Darrell Clarke’s men remained resolute under opposition pressure, and soon reaped the rewards, employing a confident high press which combined with attacking flair to allow Barnsley to secure control of the game. After 17 minutes, an attacking melee from a corner kick saw Jon Russell lay off to Adam Phillips inside the area, however his shot was blocked from a tight angle by the defender, Casey.

The Reds continued to press positively as the half wore on, with Davis Keillor-Dunn coming close in the 25th minute, spotting Blackpool ‘keeper Tyrer off his line and attempting an audacious lob which was directed just over the crossbar. The Reds’ forward was able to break the deadlock two minutes later, picking up the ball from midfield and driving into the box, before cutting inside and slotting a slick finish into the bottom corner, to open the scoring with his second goal in a Barnsley shirt.

Barnsley continued to dominate possession throughout the remainder of the half, with Corey O’Keeffe looking bright on the right flank with a number of whipped crosses which were unable to reach the incoming run of Reds’ forwards. This ensured that Darrell Clarke’s men went into half time with a one-goal lead.

HALF TIME: Blackpool FC 0-1 Barnsley FC

Barnsley came close to doubling their advantage eight minutes after the restart, when a Marc Roberts long throw came out to Luca Connell just outside the area. The Reds’ skipper produced an incisive pass into the path of Keillor-Dunn, however, the forward was denied a chance to seal his brace by the raised flag of the official.

In the 62nd minute, Georgie Gent managed to find space down the left flank with an excellent forward run, hitting a powerful cross which sorely tested the reflexes of the Blackpool shotstopper. The home side came close to a equaliser from the counter attack, with defender Odeluga Offiah running into the area and producing a weak effort which was aimed well wide of the mark.

Blackpool then levelled the scoring in the 68th minute, with Rob Apter hitting a free kick into the area into the path of Casey, who managed to put the ball past Slonina from close-range

Gabriel Slonina then turned hero with just under 20 minutes left to ensure that the scores remained level, first producing an outstanding parry to deny a shot by substitute Jordan Rhodes in the area, and then being on hand to tip away an Albie Morgan shot from distance in the 73rd minute.

Darrell Clarke’s men continued to press confidently as the closing stages approached, searching for a leveller with a number of great chances in the final third. After 75 minutes, Keillor-Dunn was able to dispossess Apter, before playing Humphrys in with an excellent through ball from the halfway line. The Barnsley number 44 was then only denied by the rushing feet of Tyrer, who cleared the ball on the edge of the area.

In the 82nd minute, a Connell corner kick was able to find Josh Earl at the back post, although the Reds’ defender was only able to head wide. One minute, O’Keeffe was able to send a diagonal ball to substitute Vimal Yoganathan on the left flank, with the young midfielder heading into the box with a piercing run, before hitting a powerful shot just wide of the target.

The Reds remained focused on getting that elusive winner, and one minute into stoppage time, it materialised, courtesy of a goal from Marc Roberts. The Reds’ defender rose high in the centre of the area to head home a Connell corner past Tyrer, ensuring that Barnsley made the journey back to South Yorkshire with all three points in tow.

FULL TIME: Blackpool FC 1-2 Barnsley FC

Barnsley XI: Slonina (GK), Russell (Craig, 67), Roberts, de Gevigney, O’Keeffe, Phillips (Yoganathan, 67), Gent (Pines, 90), Earl, Keillor-Dunn, Humphrys (Jalo, 90), Connell (C).

Subs not used: Killip (GK), Cotter, Nwakali.

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