Oxford United made it three wins in a row as a first-half penalty from Cameron Brannagan, a second-half own goal by Jordan Williams, and a late clincher from Tyler Goodrham earned them a 3-1 win at Oakwell this afternoon, despite a Devante Cole goal for the Tykes.
Liam Manning's side didn't just make it nine points in a week, or end a 30-year wait for a win at Barnsley, they did it playing a brand of football that has delighted their fans this week and promises so much for the season ahead.
They were ahead after 8 minutes when Marcus Browne powered past Mael De Gevigney, who foolishly stuck out a leg to trip him. Penalty to Oxford. Brannagan to take? Inevitable outcome and 1-0.
Barnsley threw plenty at the U’s from then onwards, dominating possession in the first half but rarely getting a sight of James Beadle’s goal as his defence protected their young keeper superbly.
Indeed, it was United who looked the more likely team to score. Both Mark Harris and Stan Mills - the one change to the team after the win at Derby - having clear chances but unable to find a second way past home keeper Liam Roberts.
The only scare came when a Phillips drive slipped under Beadle in the 45th minute, thankfully sliding round the post for a corner rather than the other side of the post, but the U’s were good value for their one-goal advantage at the break and on 54 minutes were heading for an excellent week's work.
Mills was the provider this time. The Everton loanee has a turn of pace and excellent delivery, and when he powered into empty ground behind the home defence, his low cross would have been tapped in by the unmarked Billy Bodin if Williams hadn't saved them the bother by sliding the ball into his own net beyond the bewildered Roberts.
Obviously, United like to keep the fans on the edge of their seats and on 79 the home side grabbed a lifeline when Cole got up highest in a crowded penalty area to glide the ball beyond even the once-again excellent Beadle to make it 1-2.
The same player was half an inch away from an equaliser when he slid to try and convert a cross five minutes later, but it wasn't one-way traffic and United could have sealed things before Goodrham's late third.
First, Roberts had to make an outstanding save to claw away a goalbound header from the excellent Stephan Negru, then he had to parry a trademark Brannagan free kick. There was still time for another crucial Beadle save from the advancing Cole before the irrepressible Goodrham scampered on to a through ball from fellow sub Gatlin O'Donkor and merrily rolled the ball into the net to end the game as a contest.
A first win at Oakwell in 30 years and more goals in 90 minutes than in all the previous visits combined: only Gary Briggs and Andy Melville had previously scored at the ground.
Do your best not to get carried away, please, but enjoy the moment, celebrate an excellent seven days, and join us at the Kassam Stadium next Saturday when we welcome Charlton Athletic.
Cannot wait.
Att: 11,753
Away: 620
Report by Chris Williams, images Steve Edmunds, Steve Daniels and Darrell Fisher
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