Rampant Town put Tykes in drop zone

By Derek Davis

THE Barnsley badge bears the Latin motto - Spectemur Acendo - Judge Us On Our Actions.

Judging by their performance against a rampant Ipswich then they will be seeing action back in League One next season from whence they came via the play-offs last year.

The motto could apply equally to Ipswich, only manager Jim Magilton has asked that we delay our judgement until well into next season when he feels a true assessment can be made of the work he has done to mould this squad into serious contenders after a year in charge.

Magilton is looking to celebrate his anniversary in the summer by finishing this season on a high, that means finishing better than the 15th of last year, finishing above Norwich, and beating them at Carrow Road, thus completing the double, and gaining eight wins out of eight that was targeted three matches ago.

So far, so good and if the Blues play as they have in the past three games then the season ticket waverers will renew, whatever incentives are in place, because belief in this team, with a few tweaks by the manager, will be at high.

The first big test will come today at Sheffield Wednesday because the significant feature of Ipswich this season is their failure to maintain good form for any length of time.

They have not managed to go four wins in a row all season and this is the third time they have won three consecutively only for disappointment to soon follow. So while a draw would equal their best run, victory would mark a big step forward.

Judging by the way the Blues blew away Barnsley then it is more than possible, although the Owls will be a different prospect.

Magilton's men will not be allowed to cruise as they did for periods, especially in the second half when they were two-up, but then that is just being picky because for the most part Town played bright, crisp football against a team that slipped into the bottom three on merit.

The Tykes simply could not cope with the Blues. width and pace on the counterattack. The opening goal after two minutes stemmed from a Barnsley corner, which Jason De Vos cleared to Owen Garvan who in turn sent Jaime Peters scampering past on-loan Manchester United youngster Ritchie Jones.

The Canadian's cross made its way through the box to the far post where Gary Roberts showed excellent technique and control to sweep in on the half-volley from eight yards.

With relegation a real possibility Barnsley had to open up and go at Ipswich, which inevitably left gaps for Town to exploit.

Tykes' keeper Nick Colgan made a wonder save to deny the impressive Owen Garvan and Alan Lee hit the crossbar with a thunderous drive after breaking clear.

Colgan was powerless to stop a low 22-yard George O'Callaghan drive after a Walters shot was blocked and fell kindly for the signing from Cork City.

The second half was meandering along quite tamely until O'Callaghan lost possession in his own half and Garvan was forced to concede a free kick. Substitute Danny Nardiello hit a cracking 35-yarder which arrowed into a top corner to give Barnsley hope of a revival.

It merely served to wake up the Blues and their own supersub Danny Haynes swivelled and fired in on the turn from 12 yards for his sixth goal of the season, all after coming off the bench, and his third in six second half appearances.

The 19-year-old incurred the wrath of fellow substitute Francis Jeffers when he tried to go for glory, understandably, despite the on-loan Blackburn striker being better placed.

Jeffers grabbed his goal after excellent work from Jon Walters with an easy finish from six yards.

Walters has squandered a couple of decent chances and had been thwarted by another brilliant Colgan save.

But still Walters ran deep into enemy territory and got a goal of his own, only his second for Town, after Jeffers had rapped the crossbar with a drive and the Blues signing from Accrington Stanley took his time before stepping inside a defender and finishing with a low drive.