Barnsley v Leeds United Sept 14th 2010

Football derbies have a unique atmosphere all over the football planet.  To true fans it is much more than the three points on offer it's all about local bragging rights.  The bragging rights in the pub and at work as you rub shoulders with fans of the opposite persuasion and for at least two times a season the fierce loyalty surrounding supporting "your" team is put to the ultimate test as you go head to head with your local rivals.  Winner takes all and no hiding place for the losers.  Thankfully I don't work with any Barnsley fans or for that matter know any Barnsley fans....................the same can not be said for the Happy Chocker.  He is infested with Barnsley loving miners as he toils down the big black hole.  He is definitely not looking forward to his next shift!

And it all started so well with Jonny Howson delighting the Leeds hordes in the capacity crowd by side footing home a sweet corner from Killa.  Oakwell rocked to the strains of the delirious travelling fans. 1.0 Leeds.

The chilly South Yorkshire night air did little to cool the white hot atmosphere inside Oakwell as the game carried on at a frenetic pace.  Lloyd Sam, prefered to Watt in the only change from Saturday, partnered Becchio up front as Leeds looked to bag a forth win on the bounce.  On the evidence of the first twenty minutes that seemed a distinct possibility as Leeds rattled the home side with effective passing and direct attacking. The swirling wind made life difficult for both sides and I was just starting to feel comfortable when the game suddenly turned.  Bessone dithered and tried to hit a flustered pass to a blue shirt near the half way line.  He must be colour blind because it went straight to a man in red who sprinted up field and after handling the ball as he fell under a challenge from Collins laid the ball back to the impressive O'Connor who rifled home the equaliser. The Happy Chocker had that worried look on his face and I felt a case of serious deja vu coming on.  The goal sapped some of the confidence from the players, especially the Argentinian, as the home side capitalised on their chance and scented blood.  O'Connor continually caused havoc with his neat control and bustling style up front whilst Adam Hammill was enjoying taunting the Leeds defence.  The fact that he turned Leeds down before he moved to the reds sticks in the throat a bit.

Half time came with the score still 1.1.  Becchio nearly pinched a goal for Leeds just before the break.
The 2nd half was an X rated disaster as schoolboy errors and paper thin defending fed the feeding frenzy for the home side.  In the blink of an eye Barnsley were 5.1 up after mistakes by Collins, Higgs, Howson presented Barnsley with opportunities they couldn't refuse and then Naylor headed one into his own net for good measure.  Shocking, embarrassing, inept, clueless were some of the kinder adjectives that were been banded about in the fast emptying away stands.  Davide Somma provided the only bright spot of a depressing evening with a well taken goal and some encouraging forward play.  He surely must have done enough to start on Friday?  His goal was greeted by the ironic "We're gonna win 6.5" but of course we didn't.  Barnsley are not a bad side and have some good players in Hammill and O'Connor and they thoroughly deserved their victory.........................but the brittleness of the Leeds defence and the way some heads went down after the 3rd goal must be a worry to Lord Larry.  With Snoddy and Paynter playing a full 90 minutes in a friendly today and Faye and Nunez also impressing I expect to see some changes in the starting line up on Friday against Donny.

So the first of 3 consecutive Yorkshire derbies ends in embarrassment and a large dose of humble pie washed down with a glass of harsh reallity.  Life will be unbearable for the Happy Chocker at work in the coming weeks.  Is this a blip or a slide?  Early days yet.  Doncaster next up on Friday night and another squeaky bum match especially for those Leeds fans who co-exist alongside the few Donny faithful.  One thing for sure it won't be a game for the faint hearted.
Can't wait.
MOT