Middlesbrough 2 Barnsley 3
Carayol 50 Main 62 O'Brian 6 Golbourne 69
Scotland 76
Winless in 2013 it’s fair to say this isn’t the proudest
time to be a Boro fan, a run of five successive league defeats have caused a continuing
drift away from the automatic promotion places, a worrying reminder of last season’s
disappointment.
The visit of Barnsley didn’t
propose much glamour, which was reflected by a crowd barely over 15,000; however
the result was vital to stop to the New Year’s rot eating away at Boro’s
campaign.
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| Barnsley sub Jason Scotland celebrates the winning goal |
After last week’s embarrassment
away at Ipswich, the Boro line up showed three changes from the trip to Portman
Road. Jonathan Woodgate, Faris Haroun and Marvin Emnes all dropped out.
Seb Hines and Nicky Bailey replaced them while
along with Mustpa Carayol, who made his long awaited return following a four
months absence through injury. Barnsley were unchanged from their victory over
Blackpool last weekend.
To a stranger the early atmosphere
would have told everything about Boro’s current form. There was a cagey nervous
atmosphere as the fans were unsure what to expect. Many still hoped for a
strong reaction from their team, a rediscovery of the winning formula, but
those thoughts were dashed with just six minutes on the clock.
George Friend found himself out of
position, as Barnsley’s Jim O’Brian took possession on the right. The winger
cut inside attempting a shot, which took a cruel deflection off the
outstretched leg of Friend, before looping over Boro keeper Jason Steele who
was left stranded.
The tormenting celebrations of the
goal scorer in front of the home supporters only rubbed salt in the already
painful wounds. The fans belief in their side was sinking lower and lower.
What followed was by no means the
greatest spectacle, and it became apparent just how far off the targeted
Premier League standards Boro currently are. Carayol’s pace down the left hand
side gave some hope of an opening, but the visitors predictably doubled up on
the player who looked their only threat.
Boro’s deep line along with Barnsley’s
dull but effective tactics, created no real chances of note. Andre Bikey’s 30
yard effort forced the only genuine save from Tykes keeper Luke Steele although
his opposite number Jason had been given just as little.
For the first time at the Riverside
this season boos welcomed the half time whistle, as the fans made it clear this
is not the football they had paid to see.
At half time Mowbray made a bold
move in replacing Lukas Jutkiewitz, with twenty year old Curtis Main, another
player who has just missed four months of football with injury, the change a
like for like switch up front.
Clearly targeted by the Barnsley
players Carayol was on the end of some heavy fouls, after the game restarted.
But the Gambian’s determination eventfully paid off when Ledesma threaded a
teasing ball through the defence. Carayol always had the pace on the final
defender and even though his original shot was saved by the keeper the rebound
couldn’t be missed.
That sparked some life back into
the stadium, as Boro suddenly increased the pace of the game. Twelve minutes
later things looked a lot brighter for the home fans and the half time decision
looked to have been rewarded.
Hines took possession deep inside
the opposition half before a well weighted ball to Williams created a chance. A
low cross from the Boro skipper was glanced towards goal by the ever-present
Carayol, the parried save from the keeper fell nicely into the path of Main who
headed into an empty net and it seemed as if Boro had turned the corner.
However focus would be needed to
see the game out something Boro always appear to have a lack of. Six minutes
later the work was undone, a long Rory Delap throw deep into the Boro penalty
area was half punched away from Steele, but the ball was bundled back towards goal, no one
cleared it, and Scott Golbourne was gifted a simple tap-in to level things up.
If that mistake wasn’t bad enough
it was nothing compared to what followed, a back pass from Hines to his goalkeeper
was half-heartedly chanced by Chris O’Grady. However the Barnsley player was
allowed a chance due to a slip from Jason Steele. The Boro keeper scurried to
grab to ball to prevent a goal but in doing so conceded a free kick inside the
area for the original back pass.
The Boro players flooded their
penalty area in attempt to block the shot; however when the ball was laid off
for Jason Scotland his strike only took another deflection, which again flew
into the Boro net.
A point would have been disappointing,
but now it would have been more than welcomed. Leadbitter’s long range effort had
to be firmly turned away from the Barnsley keeper, but when George Friend’s
header sailed over the bar in the dying minutes, it was confirmed as another
afternoon of frustration.
In their fight against relegation the
celebrations of the Barnsley fans and players at full time told the story.They
wanted it more and they got it.
Player Ratings
Jason Steele 5.5- Has been the most consistent player of
the season but after barely anything to do in the first half, a crucial slip
lead to Barnsley’s winner
Rhys Williams (C) 5.5- A Centre half who continues to be
played at right back when Parnaby is on the bench
Andre Bikey 6- Erratic in defence, tried to run
forward but sometimes lost the ball in dangerous areas
Seb Hines 5.5- Started the move for the second Boro goal,
but played Steele into trouble for the third goal
George Friend 5.5- Got caught out for the first goal, and
overall didn’t look the talented player we have seen this season
Emmanuel Ledesma 5.5- Played a great ball to set up the
second goal, but was overall a little sloppy with passes
Nicky Bailey 6.5- Broke up the play in midfield but
difficult when other midfielders were also sitting so deep
Grant Leadbitter 5.5- Seemed to continuously pass backwards,
not much ambition to get forward
Kieron Dyer 5- Had very little impact on the game on his
home debut
Mustapha Carayol 7.5- The only real threat Boro had on his
first start for 5 months, The defenders struggled to cope with his pace and he
even got on the score sheet
Lukas Jutkiewitz 5.5- Replaced at half time struggled with
little support upfront
Subs
Curtis Main 6.5- Bold substitute but defiantly had a
positive effect on the game, looked keen to do well and got on the score sheet.
My Boro Man Of The Match: Mustapha Carayol
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