Football: Oakwell revival thwarts Magpies

Barnsley. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

Newcastle United. . . . . . . . . . .0

BARNSLEY became only the third team to inflict a League defeat on Newcastle this season when a goal four minutes into the second half yesterday settled a match played in a cup tie fervour.

The Yorkshire side were forced to spend much of the match engaged in frenetic defence as Newcastle reproduced the blend of pace and skill that has carried them into a 12-point lead at the top of the First Division. But their hopes of extending it to 15 points were denied by the kind of tenacious commitment they are likely to face time and again between now and next May.

Newcastle, in fact, met Barnsley on the crest of a revival. Close to the bottom for the first three months of the season, they have hauled themselves away impressively. Yesterday's win was their fifth in seven starts.

The recovery has followed the introduction in attack of Wayne Biggins, signed from Stoke, and the restoration of Brendan O'Connell to midfield. Appropriately these two combined to create and execute the decisive goal, O'Connell rising at the far post to meet Biggins' left-wing cross and head firmly past Pavel Srnicek.

Barnsley had two chances to increase their lead within five minutes of going ahead. Andy Rammell lifted a shot inches over the crossbar after right-back Mark Robinson had sped past John Beresford on the overlap and then O'Connell, released by Rammell, hit Srnicek's left-hand post before Barry Venison headed Andy Liddell's follow- up attempt off the line.

These moments roused the out- numbered home contingent among a crowd of more than double the Oakwell average but, in reality, they were rare moments in which the running was not being made by the visitors.

In the first half, Barnsley had been a shade fortunate to stay on terms, Kevin Scott thumping a header against the bar and Robert Lee three times missing the target narrowly after menacing runs into the home defence.

Barnsley clearly believed in themselves rather more in the second period, when Newcastle were less incisive, but it needed a brave save by Lee Butler at David Kelly's feet to keep out a Kevin Sheedy header as the home goal came under renewed siege towards the end.

Barnsley: Butler; Robinson, Fleming, Bishop, Taggart, O'Connell, Biggins, Rammell, Pearson (Liddell, 45), Redfearn, Archdeacon. Substitute not used: Currie.

Newcastle United: Srnicek; Venison, Beresford, O'Brien, Scott, Howey, Lee, Peacock, Kelly, Clarke, Sheedy. Substitutes not used: Kilcline, Bracewell.

Referee: P Vanes (Warley).