Barnsley 4-1 Bolton Wanderers: Full time match report

Two goals apiece for Jonathan Russell and Fabio Jalo earned the Tykes their first win in seven games – and their first in the regular league against Bolton since 1997.

Aaron Collins scored a consolation for the Whites, but the margin of victory was more than deserved, as Wanderers produced one of their most tepid performances in recent times.

To make matters worse Aaron Morley, Jordi Osei-Tutu, Josh Sheehan and Alex Murphy all picked up injuries, leaving the squad down to bare bones for the final four games.

Wanderers made just one change from the side that had lost in midweek against Rotherham United but it didn’t take long before Steven Schumacher knew his gameplan simply wasn’t working.

Ricardo Santos had been brought in for his first start since January, replacing Gethin Jones, and it was straight in at the deep end for the big defender as Bolton found themselves pinned back for long periods of the first half.

Adam Phillips and Fabio Jalo teamed-up to cause major problems for George Johnston on Wanderers’ left, while old foe Stephen Humphrys brought a more physical threat to the left, giving Josh Dacres-Cogley a tough time.

Davis Keilor-Dunn had an early effort blocked well by Santos, and Jalo also had a shot charged down by George Thomason from a corner. Bolton looked nearly and edgy, continually surrendering possession, and their policy of going direct to their front two of Aaron Collins and John McAtee was getting no reward whatsoever.

Fifteen minutes in, Russell deservedly opened the scoring for the home side, exploiting the acres of space on the edge of the penalty box to cut in on his right foot and drive a shot into the bottom corner.

Wanderers’ midfield protection was virtually non-existent. Josh Earl and Phillips also rained shots on Nathan Baxter’s goal before Schumacher decided to switch systems and go to a 4-2-3-1.

Within moments of doing so, it was 2-0. The Whites’ defending seemed muddled after a quick switch of Barnsley free kick taker and Earl was able to steer the chipped ball across goal for Jalo to tap home from six yards out.

Schumacher probably had changes in mind already but when Morley landed badly in midfield and a stretcher was called on, it turned into major surgery.

Gethin Jones, Alex Murphy and Jay Matete came on in a triple substitution with 10 minutes of the half still to go. The difference was marginal – and there were still too many moments of lost possession in midfield – but Bolton entered the second half having created a couple of big chances during stoppage time.

The first fell to Collins, who latched on to McAtee’s far post cross but declined to head the ball, instead volleying it high into the Barnsley supporters.

Seconds later, Matete did well to win the ball on half way and fed McAtee with the pass, but his over-stretched shot was pulled wide of goal.

Kyle Dempsey came on for the injured Josh Sheehan at half time and though the 3,000-plus away supporters had let their feelings known at the half-time whistle, there was a spot of renewed hope when the game restarted.

Wanderers started to exert some pressure on the home goal. Osei-Tutu pulled a cross back behind three of his on-rushing team-mates, Thomaso stabbed an effort wide from close range after Kieren Flavell’s spill and Alex Murphy also had a shot blocked by Mark Roberts.

There was a danger of over-committing, and Humphrys nearly capitalised on a lapse from Thomason, racing clear on goal but opting to try and cross for Keilor-Dunn rather than shoot, allowing Baxter to claim a catch.

With Bolton improving, Schumacher had his last throw of the dice from the bench, bringing Klaidi Lolos on for Santos, and going back to a three-man defence.

Almost right away, Osei-Tutu went down with a muscular problem that eventually forced him off the field. After treatment, he waited for an eternity to be allowed back on to the field, during which time Barnsley countered, and Jalo was able to beat Jones one-on-one before driving in his second and the home side’s third of the day.

When Wanderers responded with a goal three minutes later, it already only felt like a consolation. Racing on to Matete’s through ball, he got around the keeper before rolling the ball into the net for his 19th of the season.

Osei-Tutu limped off to leave Bolton down to 10, their chances of getting back into the match virtually done.

That was underlined with four minutes left as another free kick was worked to the right for Phillips, whose chipped cross was headed in by Russell for his second. By that time, full-back Alex Murphy had also joined the walking wounded.

“Bolton Get Battered” chanted the Barnsley fans – ironically at the point that Collins had again been played through on goal. His effort was steered wide, nonetheless, and the barracking continued.

That Reading failed to beat Northampton Town and Huddersfield were well beaten by Burton Albion was scant consolation for Bolton, who now face automatic promotion chasers Wycombe without four key players, and with confidence presumably hit hard.