Analysis of Barnsley's final day 4-2 win at Reading. Stephen Humphrys and Jon Russell netted early in the second half then, after the hosts replied, Davis Keillor-Dunn bagged a brace before a late consolation goal.
POSITIVE END TO MIXED SEASON
BARNSLEY produced a remarkable second half performance to finish a tough season with a fine win that can send them off into the summer with at least some hope for a bright future.
Netting four goals at a side in promotion contention is an impressive effort for a mid-table outfit and a good response to being humbled by bottom club Shrewsbury last week.
The Reds finished 12th, 17 points off the top six, and let in 90 goals in all competitions, while they could lose some of their star players this summer. But they at least showed glimpses of the type of attractive attacking football that is wanted by ambitious young head coach Conor Hourihane who got his second victory in the role.
The last time Barnsley won their final game of a season - other than behind-closed-doors during the Covid crisis - was in 2016 when Hourihane scored in a 4-1 success at Wigan to seal a place in the play-offs which they won. This was nowhere near as significant but it was still a very positive way to finish the season and an enjoyable performance.
Although he would have liked a lot more of them, Hourihane’s two wins have seen Barnsley put four past two sides who were seventh in Bolton then Reading - ending both of their promotion chances in different ways. He clearly has a big summer rebuild ahead, and there will be doubters, but this felt like a very small step towards getting back towards the top of League One next season.
READING’S GOOD NEWS OFF PITCH BUT NOT ON IT
Reading received some good news before the match as it was announced that a sale of the club from controversial owner Dai Yongge had been agreed. To be in promotion contention is a remarkable achievement for the Royals after being under a transfer embargo for much of the season and having the youngest team in the division.
There was a party atmosphere before the game but, in order to finish in the top six, they needed to better the result of Leyton Orient who quickly went 2-0 up at Huddersfield.
That dampened home spirits and the only time the crowd started to buzz was when Huddersfield pulled one back just before half-time. It felt like the hosts were waiting for news from West Yorkshire but Barnsley kept their focus on events in Berkshire and took the game away from the Royals in the second half.
Reading were very open with a high defensive line, while some of their defending was extremely poor, although it might have been a different outcome had star man Harvey Knibbs not missed an open goal at 0-0.
The Reds had chances in the first half but were more ruthless after the break with four goals. They were pretty in pink - winning for the first time in the luminous third kit - while they are unbeaten in five against Reading and have won their last two games at the Berkshire club.
AWAY FANS ENJOY FINAL DAY
There were 630 Barnsley fans in the away end, many in fancy dress, and they were determined to finish the season with a party even before the team gave them a second half to celebrate.
They were singing about darts player Michael van Gerwen, Bambo Diaby and Adam Hammill, while giving the home fans regular updates of Orient’s goals.
Although they had only taken a point from the previous five away games, the Reds have recorded 11 away victories this season and finished with the seventh best away record in the division on their travels.
They have won half their away matches across the last two seasons but finished sixth then 12th - highlighting clearly that the problem is at Oakwell.
SCORERS ALL FINISH SEASON STRONGLY
The first two goals, in the opening minutes of the second half, were scored by Stephen Humphrys and Jon Russell who both finished the season with five in five games.
Humphrys returned from injury to replace the benched Adam Phillips. After a 23-game goalless run, he is clearly thriving in the left wing role under Hourihane and it now seems like good business for the club to take their option of keeping him for an extra year.
Russell moved onto 11 for the season from central midfield, an impressive tally that will strengthen calls for an extension to his contract which expires in a year. He also played the key pass for the third goal.
Davis Keillor-Dunn netted his 17th and 18th goals of the season late on, as well completing 100 per cent of his passes and setting up some big chances for team-mates. He handed his shirt to a fan after the game and it remains uncertain whether he will ever pull one on again for Barnsley as other clubs are surely looking at his excellent numbers plus his obvious quality.
GOOD PERFORMANCES THROUGHOUT
There were solid performances throughout Barnsley’s team.
Mael de Gevigney made the most clearances and interceptions while Marc Roberts was solid and played some impressive passes.
Dexter Lembikisa made the most tackles and was involved in the second and fourth goals, although he was at fault for Reading’s first. The other full-back Josh Earl assisted the opener.
Barry Cotter got in some excellent positions on the right but lacked end product until he provided a fine assist for the second goal.
It was a good day for the youth system with Jono Bland - playing in his natural position of central midfield after a spell at right-back - registering his first assist while Kieran Graham, 17, made his debut off the bench.
