Last Sunday Barnsley travelled to Sheffield to play City of York 6’s. The two sides have had mixed season York who play in Division 5 North and Barnsley in Division 5 South, both finishing in 2nd place in their Divisions. The two sides have never played each other before as they have never been in the same division and after this game one team would be promoted to Division 4.
Having played in a cup final on Saturday the Barnsley team were up for this game and were aiming to gain their 4th consecutive promotion since the clubs started out in 2008.
Barnsley started strong and created a handful of chances to go in front. Top scorer Dave Maine found the net midway through the first half from some great passing from the midfield. Barnsley continued their dominance but the York defence stood strong and cleared their lines. York did create a few chances but a back two pairing of Chris Shaw and Louis Raine snuffed out the chances and York failed to score in the first half giving Barnsley a 1-0 lead at half time.
Barnsley realised that York’s game plan was to hit the ball to a front three who controlled well but the defence read the game well and cleared ball after ball. In the second half the game became stretched creating good chances for both teams. Dave Maine couldn’t capitalise on some great play and miss controlled a ball in the box. York became stronger and finally created a chance from a long corner and a good strong drive found the bottom corner of the Barnsley goal. Barnsley had the majority of possession from this point on but couldn’t make it pay and the final score was 1-1. This meant the game went into extra time. Some tired legs from both sides created chances for both teams but neither could find the net and after a hard fought battle the teams were level. The game was decided on penalty flicks. York went first and Richard Jane the Barnsley goalkeeper did his best to distract the York taker, and saved the first flick giving Barnsley an early advantage. Step up Rob Ramsay, who confidently flicked the ball into the bottom corner. York then missed their second penalty through another great save from Jane. Captain James Shaw then took the second flick placing it past the York keeper. York then scored their next flick making it 2-1 to Barnsley. Rod Deverson then missed his flick giving the York keeper restored confidence. York scored their next 2 flick and so did Dave Maine for Barnsley. Leaving Phil Kitchen to score a flick to win promotion, he missed and the game went into sudden death. Dave Maine stood up and scored his flick, York then scored despite great efforts from the Barnsley keeper. Rob Ramsay then scored giving Barnsley the advantage. York then hit the post and Barnsley secure promotion! Man of the Match was given to Richard Jane for his heroics in the penalty flick competition.
This means Barnsley will play in Division 4 and through their short four year existence have been promoted every season leaving the team and captain James Shaw ecstatic.