Barnsley 0-0 (AET) Bristol Rovers (Rovers win 4-3 on penalties)
Emirates FA Cup Second Round, Oakwell Stadium, Saturday 30 November
Bristol Rovers secured passage to the Emirates FA Cup third round thanks to a resolute, dogged and determined 4-3 victory over Barnsley on penalties.
An enthralling 90 minutes saw both sides hit the post in the first-half, with Gatlin O’Donkor striking the woodwork for the Gas before Stephen Humphreys did the same for Barnsley at the other end of the pitch with a curling effort.
The Reds controlled proceedings as the match progressed into the second half and, if not for the heroics of shot-stopper Josh Griffiths kept Rovers in the fixture; a run of superb saves to keep out the likes of Humphrys, Kelechi Nwakali, Fabio Jalo and Josh Earl.
Extra-time passed without consequence and so penalties were required. Adam Phillips missed the opening spot-kick for the home side and, with Rovers seeing each of their efforts find the net, Griffiths’ incredible save to deny Josh Earl earned the Gas a place in the Third Round draw.
Rovers made four changes to the starting XI from the midweek league loss against Blackpool and it was one of those returning names - O’Donkor - who had the side’s best chance of the opening exchanges.
The loaned striker almost gave Rovers a fifth-minute lead as he held the ball up superbly from Isaac Hutchinson’s lofted pass before driving down the left-side channel. His powerful shot rebounded away off the post.
Another good break by the visitors came down the right flank just minutes later as Joel Senior, on his first appearance in three months after a serious injury, fed Forde on the edge of the area. The attacker curled a left-footed effort towards goal; one that Ben Killip was forced to punch away.
Barnsley grew into the proceedings as the first half continued. Maël de Gevigney’s hopeful, long-ranged drive almost caused problems as it slipped wide of the Rovers near post, before goalkeeper Griffiths made a smart, low save to deny Stephen Humphrys’ snapshot from outside the box.
Another impressive stop by the Rovers No1 was required when Nwakali rocketed a strike at goal inside a frantic opening 20 minutes.
Griffiths was beaten ten minutes before half-time when the industrious Humphrys hit another attempt from distance, but the Gas were relieved to see the strike hit the base of the far post, ensuring a goalless game at the interval.
The introduction of James Wilson for his 50th Bristol Rovers appearance came at the start of the second half, with Barnsley threatening just 30 seconds in as Adam Phillips’ header crashed against the cross-bar.
Humphrys was again involved, on 53 minutes, and should have put the hosts ahead. The outstanding Griffiths reacted well to make another superb, low stop.
The Gas introduced Chris Martin and Ruel Sotiriou in an attacking double substitution on the hour mark before Grant Ward replaced Jamie Lindsay six minutes later.
Despite the changes, Barnsley offered a greater threat pushing forward as the second-half minutes ticked away. Griffiths was again called upon to make an instinctive, brilliant stop to push away substitute Jalo’s swivelling effort from ten yards.
Late heartbreak seemed more likely than the jubilation of a winning Rovers goal, but the grit and determination to stay in the fixture was evident as the match ticked into additional time, with the combination of Martin and McCormick on the line blocking a certain goal for the hosts. Goalless after 90 minutes and, once again, extra time would be needed in the FA Cup.
Into added time, the Gas started brightly, but the only real moment of quality in the first 15 minutes was another breathtaking save by Griffiths; his long reach denying Earl’s strike.
Barnsley still attacked, with Sam Cosgrove’s header just over the Rovers bar moments into the second extra time period. And still the Gas dug in deep. A moment of quality almost appeared as Wilson tried the spectacular; an overhead kick that was just wide. A second full-time whistle of the afternoon rang around Oakwell, and penalties would determine the game.
Shooting at the section containing almost 300 travelling Rovers supporters, Phillips went first for Barnsley but hit the post. Chris Martin went the same way for the Gas and found the bottom corner. Striker Cosgrove got the home side on the tally before Ruel Sotiriou stepped up and restored the Gas’ advantage.
Jon Russell got Barnsley’s second penalty from their third attempt, while Scott Sinclair kept the Gas in front with a cool spot-kick. Three from three. Up next was Jalo for the Tykes and he powered in his spot-kick, but Shaq Forde kept the visitors in front heading into each side’s last spot-kick.
Josh Earl was the man to take Barnsley’s fifth penalty, but Griffiths made another unreal stop just at the right moment, sending the Gas into the third round of the FA Cup!
Barnsley: Killip, Roberts, De Gevigney, O’Keeffe (Lofthouse 80), Phillips, Gent (Cotter 85), Earl, Keillor-Dunn (Jaló 67), Humphrys (Cosgrove 90), Connell (c), Nwakali (Russell 67)
Subs not used: Smith, Pines, Craig, McCarthy
Bristol Rovers: Griffiths, Senior (Wilson 46), Moore, Forbes, Mola, Lindsay (Ward 66), Conteh (Sinclair 116), McCormick (c), Forde, Hutchinson (Sotiriou 60), O’Donkor (Martin 60)
Subs not used: Hall (GK), Bilongo, Thomas, Dixon
Referee: Scott Oldham
Attendance: 4,801 (294 away supporters)
