I could feel everything lift at half time, smiles and hope ran through everyone’s veins around me, and then the second half started and, as with the last few weeks, the opposition came at us. It was interesting to see us watering their attacking half of the pitch, and not ours, whether that was to help us or hinder them, I don’t know. They coped with playing against the wind as well as we did, while we started to go a bit longer to attack the conditions. When they scored, it wasn’t unexpected, but it was a little disappointing.
It’s a decent team goal, so no criticism for individuals, other than to say after Darikwa’s clearance from the original cross we just didn’t win the second ball, and their lad got a cross past Reach, McGrandles and Bradley, while Keillor-Dunn stole in behind Hamer. I don’t think it was bad defensively, but it’s the sort of attack we’d have stopped long before their lad got the final touch, under most circumstances.
Right there was the moment. That was where, perhaps, our entire season hinged. Think about it, if we’d folded like a cheap tablecloth, gone a little more negative to protect a draw, would I be writing about a lifted malaise? We wouldn’t be third and on a collision course with Christmas. Some players who had good games last night would have been scapegoated, and all these after three home wins on the spin.
Instead, a moment of pure genius got us back in it before their fans realised what had happened. Post-match, Jack Moylan said they’d noticed how high Barnsley pressed straight after kick off, and McGrandles said they’d do it again. Wickens played a good ball forward (because his distribution is decent) and no fewer than four of our lads beat an offside trap of sorts. Bayliss ran from really deep, and for some reason, when Wickens hit it, I was watching him. He came from maybe five yards onside to be clear. I wondered if him and Darikwa might get in each other’s way, but instead Cooper didn’t know which would have the shot.
In the end, it was a FIFA finish, a lob that left the keeper stranded. It took 13 seconds, from Moylan’s ball to Wickens, to it nestling in the back of the net. In a moment, I really believed everything hinged (I might change my tune if we lost three out of the next four of course).
We looked so confident after that, and the third followed quickly. Hamer’s long throw, even more of a weapon, causing havoc, and the unlikely figure of Sonny Bradley grabbing an assist, for an unlikely header by Reeco Hackett. A third felt like it might be unlikely, but there it was.
What is remarkable is that last season at this stage, we had 27 points from 19 games, not the 34 we have now. Nine of the starting XI from last night were in that side, and despite losing Roughan, O’Connor and Erhahon in the summer, we feel stronger. Adam Reach has been a phenomenon, no doubt, and Sonny Bradley a behemoth, but it feels like a side built in 2024, coming of age as we stride towards 2026.
The rest of the game was seen out, and both sides had chances. I say both sides had chances, the Tykes had three, we had two, and our two didn’t include the moment Rob Street’s pass (when everyone was screaming shoot) was again the ambitious ball, rather than the safe one, which could have unlocked a defence. We were still kicking, and while they had a bit of life, it was a bit like a fish that’s already been brought into the boat wriggling a bit before it’s killed and eaten.
The final whistle brought us our first three points at the bank against Barnsley since Sam Ellis and Terry Cooper scored for us 49 years, 11 months and 14 days ago. Back then 12,000 supporters believed they were watching a side heading in the right direction, and as Imps supporters made the short walk back to their cars, I wonder if a few thought maybe they’d been a bit harsh over the last few weeks.
We’re third in League One, above teams whose budget is twice our own. We’re going toe to toe with teams who, for 40-odd years before this resurgence, were the sort we’d only draw in cups. We’re doing it without huge flashy signings, and that is another thing to consider. People keep telling me Ivan Varfolomeev should be playing, or Erik Ring can’t get a game, but look at the squad that won last night – players who have gently boiled away in the background coming to the fore after time. It’s almost as if the talk of developing players takes longer than a few months.
Almost.
Let’s not forget that is four wins on the spin at home as well, with only one league defeat at the Bank (against Exeter, a game we should have won). We’re top of the home table (third on points per game, so Bolton and Cardiff need to win their next games to stay there). Only Cardiff have won four on the spin at home, as we have, and they’re our next opponents. Maybe I felt the second goal was a pivot, but that clash on December 20th really could be a Sliding Doors moment.
All I know is when the two teams take to the field a week on Saturday, I’ll be filled with much more belief than I was yesterday, because the dog licked my face last night. Metaphorically.