Exeter City suffered a narrow defeat on the road at Oakwell, as two quick goals in the first half earned Barnsley a 2-1 win in League One.
David McGoldrick opened the scoring after just eight minutes. Vimal Yoganathan’s header made it two after just sixteen minutes. Jayden Wareham’s well taken goal made it 2-1 after 75 but City were unable to find a late leveller.
The Grecians headed to Oakwell looking to return to winning ways after a string of draws and were playing at a stadium where they had tasted success in their previous three visits – and earlier this season at St James Park with a fine 3-0 win in December.
Exeter City interim manager Matt Taylor made a single change from the side that was held to a 1-1 draw with Burton Albion on Tuesday night, as Ryan Rydel returned to the starting XI in place of Timur Tutierov, who was named as a sub. Reece Cole returned to the squad after recovering from injury.
First Half
The Grecians made a fast start to the first half and in the opening minute the ball was moved forward through Carlos Mendes Gomes, he found Liam Oakes in the middle, and he was fouled 20 yards from goal earning City an early free kick. Ryan Rydel struck the ball towards goal, but it was well defended by Barnsley’s wall.
Moments later the Grecians had their first corner of the match thanks to good combination play from Rydel and Niskanen. The delivery however was simple for the Barnsley defence.
Against the run of play the hosts took an early lead in the eighth minute. A ball inside found McGoldrick one-on-one with Whitworth and he lifted the ball over City’s No.1 to open the scoring.
Eight minutes later and Barnsley made it two-nil. This time goalscorer McGoldrick turned provider as his fantastic cross from deep was headed into the bottom corner by Vimal Yoganathan.
The two early goals rocked City, who looked to regain some composure and stay in the game. City combined well down the left as Niskanen found Oakes, but his cross into the box was too close to Goodman in the Barnsley goal.
Just after the half hour mark the Tykes sparked another strong attack as Reyes Cleary was found in space down the left, his cross into the box was dangerous but was read well by City’s captain Pierce Sweeney and he cleared the danger at the expense of a Barnsley corner.
The corner was cleared by City and Corey O’Keefe picked up the recycled ball and drove a short towards the City goal which Joe Whitworth did well to parry and City cleared the danger.
Ethan Brierley then went closest to halving the deficit. Oakes found City’s No.6 in space in the middle of the park, he broke forward and rifled a shot just over the bar from 25-yards.
Minutes later City went close again as Oakes was found on the edge of the Barnsley box, he tried to swivel away from his marker, and his shot was deflected wide of the Tykes goal as City went into the break behind.
Second Half
Manager Matt Taylor made a switch at the break with Charlie Cummins replacing Ryan Rydel. Charlie moved into midfield and Liam Oakes switched to left-back.
The first fifteen minutes passed without any real clear-cut chances being created as the Tykes looked happy to settle on their lead. On the hour mark McGoldrick looked to test the City backline again but his shot from just outside the box took a deflection and was a comfortable take for Whitworth,
Ethan Brierley sent in a long, angled ball towards Wareham and he sent a header towards goal, but it was just over the Tykes bar.
With twenty minutes to go Matt Taylor rolled the dice, bringing on Josh Magennis in place of Jack McMillan and he had a quick impact.
In the 76th minute City halved the deficit. A cross into the area was nodded back across goal by Magennis to Wareham, he held the ball up and turned and fired low into the corner of the net to make it 2-1.
Three minutes later and City could have been level. Ilmari Niskanen was sent away down City’s left, and he sent in a delicious cross which Wareham was just inches away from connecting with!
The Grecians pushed and pushed to go level late on. Sub Sonny Cox finding fellow sub Reece Cole on the edge of the box and his low drive was deflected wide of the Barnsley goal.
City applied the pressure in added time but couldn’t find a leveller and Barnsley picked up the three points.
Up Next
The Grecians are back in action at SJP on Tuesday night, facing league leaders Lincoln City in a 7:45pm kick-off. Click here for tickets.
Match Details
Barnsley XI
Goodman (GK), Shepherd (Obgeta 51’), De Gevigney, O’Keefe, Phillips, Bradshaw ) Bland 72’), McGoldrick, O’Connell, Cleary (Banks 72’), Yoganathan, Connel ©.
Barnsley subs not used
Flavell, Gent, Lennon, Watson.
Yellow Card
Shepherd 29’
Goals
McGoldrick 8’, Yoganathan 16’
Exeter City XI
Whitworth (GK), Niskanen, Sweeney (C), Woodhouse, McMillan (Magennis 70’), Rydel (Cummins 45’), Oakes, Brierley, Aitchison (Cox 83’), Mendes Gomes (Cole 63’), Wareham.
Exeter subs not used
Bycroft (GK), McDonald, Birch.
Yellow Card
Rydel 23’
Goal
Wareham 76’
Attendance
9706 (387 Grecians)