A brilliant goalkeeping performance from Kevin Miller kept Fulham at bay as Barnsley battled bravely to claim a point against the First Division leaders at Oakwell this afternoon.
Fulham, who were held at home last weekend by Sheffield United, appeared out of sorts as they wilted in the face of the Tykes’ tenacity in what was a very watchable goalless draw. Nigel Spackman might not yet have a win to his name as the new Barnsley boss but the experienced manager will know that if his side can replicate both the endeavour and quality of football shown here than they should be able to see off the spectre of relegation.
Barnsley had more possession that plenty of Division One sides who have been overwhelmed by Tigana’s team this season and they probably should have scored themselves. They were fortunate that Fulham had an off-colour day in front of goal themselves with Louis Saha spurning a glorious chance to open the scoring after just three minutes when the French striker headed tamely at Miller after being left unmarked from Steve Finnan’s cross.
Barnsley’s best early openings came from set pieces and a tenth minute corner caused all sorts of consternation in the Fulham box with an almighty scramble seeing four different home players having shots blocked. Luis Boa Morte led a swift breakaway shortly afterwards but Miller did magnificently to turn the Portuguese forward’s shot onto the frame of the goal and the rebound bounced away to relatively safety.
Boa Morte remained a potent threat throughout the first half but Matty Bullock typified both Barnsley’s fight and commitment to get forward, making a number of dangerous runs along the right flank. Former Craven Cottage favourite Steve Hayward kept the ball cleverly for the hosts, but Fulham continued to ask questions of the home side’s rearguard with Sean Davis saw a close-range header saved by the stretching Miller midway through the second half.
Boa Morte blasted wastefully over after wonderful approach work from Louis Saha before Karl-Heinz Riedle was denied by another fine Miller save after the German striker had powered Bjarne Goldbaek’s cross goalwards. Barnsley could have nicked it at the death but Lee Jones dragged a low drive just wide of Maik Taylor’s far post.
BARNSLEY (4-4-2): Miller; Regan, Barker, O’Callaghan, Chettle; Ward, Bullock, Neil, Hayward; Shipperley, Jones. Subs (not used): Brown, Walker, Thomas, Dyer, Rankine.
BOOKED: Hayward.
FULHAM (4-4-2): Taylor; Finnan, Trollope, Symons, Melville; Davis, Clark, Goldbaek, Fernandes (Riedle 63); Saha, Boa Morte. Subs (not used): Hahnemann, Neilson, Sahnoun, Moller.
BOOKED: Finnan.
REFEREE: Paul Robinson (Kingston upon Hull).
ATTENDANCE: 14,654.
