[BFC SITE] Reds draw with Cobblers at Oakwell

Despite a dominant performance from Barnsley in the first half, the Reds' hopes of getting their first home win of the season were denied by Northampton Town whose impressive second-half performance meant the game ended in a 2-2 draw.

Northampton started the game on the front foot with their first chance coming from a through-ball played to their striker Morton. Barnsley’s defence were quick to it, and Josh Earl was there to clear it out for a corner. Our first chance came from a freekick in the 9th minute by Barry Cotter, when the Northampton keeper was forced to parry the ball out. Barnsley continued to push for an opener when Cosgrove had a double chance on goal, but he failed to hit the target.

The Cobblers almost took the lead in the 14th minute with a pacey ball cutting across the box from the left-hand side. Gent was first to it, clearing it over the bar for a corner.

After a good start from the Reds, they took the lead in the 26th minute. A wonderful ball played over the top was met by Adam Phillips who made a great run into the box. His pass to Cosgrove was then laid off to Watters who despite being surrounded by several defenders, calmly slotted the ball past the keeper making it one-nil to the Reds.

Now in the lead, the Reds continued to look for a second. Luca Connell picked up the ball in midfield, but his shot was high over the bar. Barnsley came close again in the 38th minute after a long throw into the box from Cotter was headed wide from Phillips. With only a few minutes until half-time, Barnsley looked more confident. Northampton had a chance to equalise when Jordan Willis struck the ball well, but it was off target, over the bar. An additional three minutes were added on but neither team was able to convert.

Half-time: Barnsley 1-0 Northampton Town

It was an incredible start for the Reds and within the first 30 seconds of the second 45, they doubled their lead. Some great build-up play in midfield found its way to Phillips in the box who smashed the ball into the net from close range. The reds were on fire. A great cross found the head of Cosgrove who almost made it 3-0. Luckily for the visitors, the header was straight at Lee Burge who tipped the ball onto the crossbar, and the ball was eventually cleared. Northampton created their first chance of the second half but the shot from Morton came to nothing.

No doubt it was Barnsley who had the better of their opponents when an excellent team move in the 65th minute almost led to another goal. Jon Russell played a superb ball to Earl on the left wing, who squared the ball to Phillips in the box whose chance was saved by the Northampton keeper. Following an impressive performance, the Reds goal scorer made way in the 66th minute for Barnsley’s number 15, Kyran Lofthouse.

With just under 20 minutes to go, Northampton brought one back. A ball into the box was met by Liam McCarron who slotted it past Gabriel Slonina. After only being on the pitch for a few minutes, Lofthouse made an instant impact trying to increase his team’s lead. Cutting in from the left-hand side, he managed a shot on target, but it was straight at the Cobblers' 'keeper.

Despite Barnsley looking confident for most of the game, a mistake in the defence caused upset for the Reds. Gabriel Slonina came rushing out to claim the ball, but after missing it completely, Jack Baldwin was first to react making the score 2-2.

The Reds made their fourth substitution of the match when Barry Cotter made way for Aiden Marsh. The referee indicated 5 minutes of added time, giving both teams a chance to find the winning goal. Good pressure from Marsh led to a throw-in in the final third, but the Northampton keeper was first to react.

Both teams battled hard, but neither team found the extra goal to claim all three points.

FULL TIME: Barnsley 2-2 Northampton Town

Barnsley: Slonina (GK), Cotter (Marsh 88’), Roberts, Gevigney, Phillips, Cosgrove, Hourihane (Russell 56’), Gent (Pines 45’), Earl, Watters (Lofthouse 66’), Connell (C).

Subs not used: Killip, O’Keeffe, Yoganathan

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