Match Reports

[BoothenenderGaz]

Yorkshire Post

Full time report from Barnsley v Stoke


BARNSLEY had their eyes on maximum points at home to Stoke City - until Liam Lawrence converted a late penalty to seal his hat-trick and a late draw.

After just 23 minutes a foul by Richard Cresswell on Grant McCann gave Barnsley a penalty and Brian Howard stepped forward to convert and give the home side the lead against the run of play.

On the stroke of 30 minutes, the visitors levelled the scores with a penalty of their own. Dennis Souza was adjudged to have fouled Ricardo Fuller and Lawrence stepped up to coolly convert the spot-kick.

Barnsley grabbed their second goal thanks to a headed effort from John Macken, who latched onto a cross from Martin Devaney.

Simonsen was called into action to deal with a curling shot from Howard but the Tykes were left to rue their missed chances as Lawrence popped up to grab his second of the game and draw Stoke level with a six-yard shot on 82 minutes.

The Potters had barely had time to celebrate their goal when Barnsley re-established their lead.

Martin Devaney's initial shot was fumbled away by Simonsen, straight into the path of Macken, who made no mistake in sending the ball into the back of the net.

As the game neared its conclusion, a foul on Ricardo Fuller by Stephen Foster - who was sent off for a second bookable offence - earned Stoke a penalty and Lawrence made no mistake in converting.

[BoothenenderGaz]

TeamTalk

Tykes denied by Lawrence hat-trick

A dramatic last-minute penalty from Liam Lawrence gave Stoke a share of the points against Barnsley after a 3-3 draw at Oakwell.

The Potters were heading for their first defeat in seven games but were handed a lifeline when Stephen Foster was dismissed for a foul on Ricardo Fuller.

Lawrence stepped up to convert and Lawrence grabbed his second penalty of the game, and complete his hat-trick.

It was the home side who had the first chance of the game when from a free-kick Grant McCann forced a save from Steve Simonsen from 35 yards in the opening two minutes.

Stoke were soon into their stride though and Lawrence was proving to be the dangerman - the winger forcing a clearance from Sam Togwell while his corner forced Heinz Muller to punch the ball to safety.

Barnsley's chances in the opening 20 minutes were few and far between, with the only opportunity falling to Jon Macken, who blasted Howard's cross over the crossbar.

Lawrence tried his luck again with a right-footed volley but after 23 minutes a foul by Richard Cresswell on McCann gave Barnsley a penalty and Brian Howard stepped forward to convert and give the home side a shock lead.

Stoke pushed forward and this time Lawrence's cross found Ryan Shawcross, who headed the ball wide.

Barnsley went close to increasing their lead when McCann forced Simonsen into action but their advantage was short-lived.

On the stroke of 30 minutes, the visitors levelled the scores with a penalty. Dennis Souza was adjudged to have fouled Ricardo Fuller and Lawrence stepped up to coolly converted the spot-kick.

Stoke could have added more with Lawrence again causing the Tykes' defence problems while Mamady Sidibe also went close with his header.

Barnsley almost re-established their lead in the opening minutes of the second half.

Shawcross blocked Istvan Ferenczi's 25-yard shot and the resulting corner from McCann forced a clearance from John Eustace and eventually a save from Simonsen.

At the other end, Stoke had their chances of going ahead. Togwell's foul on Rory Delap and the resulting free-kick from 25 yards saw Lawrence's effort hit the bar.

It was a missed chance that ended up costing the Potters as Barnsley grabbed their second goal thanks to a headed effort from Macken, who latched onto a cross from Martin Devaney.

Both sides pushed forward, Fuller and Lawrence going close for Stoke, while Barnsley tried to increase their lead through Ferenczi and Devaney was unlucky not to have increased the Tykes' lead further when he forced a fine save from Simonsen.

And Simonsen was called into action again to deal with a curling shot from Howard. But the Tykes were left to rue their missed chances as Lawrence popped up to grab his second of the game and draw Stoke level with a six-yard shot on 82 minutes.

The Potters barely had time to celebrate their goal when Barnsley re-established their lead.

Martin Devaney's initial shot was fumbled away by Simonsen, straight into the path of Macken who made no mistake in sending the ball into the back of the net.

A foul on Fuller by Foster, who was sent off for his second bookable offence, earned Stoke a penalty and Lawrence made no mistake in converting.

[BoothenenderGaz]

The Sun

Stoke went third after snatching a 3-3 draw at Barnsley with Liam Lawrence scoring a hat-trick.


Lawrence twice got the visitors back on level terms following goals from Brian Howard and Jon Macken, but Macken's second five minutes from time appeared to have settled a pulsating game in favour of the home side.


But the former Sunderland midfielder completed his treble with his second penalty of the day in the last minute after Stephen Foster had been sent off.

[sandford]

Really indepth from the Sun,looks like ill buy the mirror tomorrow.

[BoothenenderGaz]

SportingLife.com

Barnsley 3 Stoke 3


Lawrence - scored a hat-trick.

A dramatic last-minute penalty from Liam Lawrence gave Stoke a share of the points against Barnsley at Oakwell.

The Potters were heading for their first defeat in seven games but were handed a lifeline when Stephen Foster was dismissed for a foul on Ricardo Fuller.

Lawrence stepped up to convert and Lawrence grabbed his second penalty of the game, and complete his hat-trick.

It was the home side who had the first chance of the game when from a free-kick Grant McCann forced a save from Steve Simonsen from 35 yards in the opening two minutes.

Stoke were soon into their stride though and Lawrence was proving to be the dangerman - the winger forcing a clearance from Sam Togwell while his corner forced Heinz Muller to punch the ball to safety.

Barnsley's chances in the opening 20 minutes were few and far between, with the only opportunity falling to Jon Macken, who blasted Howard's cross over the crossbar.

Lawrence tried his luck again with a right-footed volley but after 23 minutes a foul by Richard Cresswell on McCann gave Barnsley a penalty and Brian Howard stepped forward to convert and give the home side a shock lead.

Stoke pushed forward and this time Lawrence's cross found Ryan Shawcross, who headed the ball wide.

Barnsley went close to increasing their lead when McCann forced Simonsen into action but their advantage was short-lived.

On the stroke of 30 minutes, the visitors levelled the scores with a penalty. Dennis Souza was adjudged to have fouled Ricardo Fuller and Lawrence stepped up to coolly converted the spot-kick.

Stoke could have added more with Lawrence again causing the Tykes' defence problems while Mamady Sidibe also went close with his header.

Barnsley almost re-established their lead in the opening minutes of the second half.

Shawcross blocked Istvan Ferenczi's 25-yard shot and the resulting corner from McCann forced a clearance from John Eustace and eventually a save from Simonsen.

At the other end, Stoke had their chances of going ahead. Togwell's foul on Rory Delap and the resulting free-kick from 25 yards saw Lawrence's effort hit the bar.

It was a missed chance that ended up costing the Potters as Barnsley grabbed their second goal thanks to a headed effort from Macken, who latched onto a cross from Martin Devaney.

Both sides pushed forward, Fuller and Lawrence going close for Stoke, while Barnsley tried to increase their lead through Ferenczi and Devaney was unlucky not to have increased the Tykes' lead further when he forced a fine save from Simonsen.

And Simonsen was called into action again to deal with a curling shot from Howard. But the Tykes were left to rue their missed chances as Lawrence popped up to grab his second of the game and draw Stoke level with a six-yard shot on 82 minutes.

The Potters barely had time to celebrate their goal when Barnsley re-established their lead.

Martin Devaney's initial shot was fumbled away by Simonsen, straight into the path of Macken who made no mistake in sending the ball into the back of the net.

A foul on Fuller by Foster, who was send off for his second bookable offence, earned Stoke a penalty and Lawrence made no mistake in converting.


Stats

STAT ATTACK
Barnsley Stoke
7 Shots On Target 2
4 Shots Off Target 9
23 Fouls (Conceded) 17
5 Corners 8
4 Yellow Cards 3
1 Red Cards 0

[bogus]

Strange isn't it?
Less fouls conceded, less players booked, less players sent off and yet we're the bullies

[sandford]

2 shots on target???? ???

[Aunty Ruth's Wig]

Strange how the stringers missed the detail on the last goal which was in fact foul on Fuller, free kick, foul on someone/handball (delete as appropriate), penalty 3-3.

[Lakeland Potter]

Thursday's Telegraph

Lawrence hits hat-trick for Stoke in thriller
By Ron Gubba
Last Updated: 2:43am GMT 27/12/2007


Have your say Read comments

Barnsley (1) 3 Stoke City (1) 3

Liam Lawrence scored his first hat-trick for Stoke City as his side came from behind three times to secure a point in a red-blooded Boxing Day thriller at Oakwell. Tony Pulis' side are now third in the table, just three points behind joint leaders West Bromwich and Watford.

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An already tense encounter boiled over in the final 10 minutes as Barnsley twice reclaimed the lead only to be denied in stoppage time by Lawrence's second penalty.

Moments earlier Stephen Foster had been sent off after receiving a second yellow card - both for fouls on Stoke striker Ricardo Fuller.

Stoke's reputation as a hard side, physically and mentally, went before them and Barnsley were clearly prepared for a tough challenge. However, despite awarding three penalties, referee Trevor Kettle allowed some meaty challenges to go unpunished.

The first penalty came when Richard Cresswell upended Jon Macken and Barnsley captain Brian Howard scored from the spot. Six minutes later an identical situation arose at the other end, Dennis Souza fouling Fuller and Lawrence scoring the penalty.

The lively Lawrence almost put Stoke ahead when he struck the crossbar midway through the second half. But it was Barnsley who regained the lead in the 65th minute, when Macken headed in from almost under the bar, after Foster had headed Marcio van Homoet's left-wing corner back into the danger area.

A goal straight from the training ground produced Stoke's second equaliser, Lawrence running over the ball at a free-kick, leaving it to Danny Pugh to hoist the ball across goal for Fuller to redirect it to Lawrence who scored at the foot of the post.

Again Barnsley regained the lead, Macken claiming his second goal of the game when Stoke goalkeeper Steve Simonsen misdirected a punched clearance.

The match was in stoppage time when Foster received his marching orders and Lawrence completed the scoring from the penalty spot after Kayode Odejayi was seen pulling Jon Parkins' shirt.

Match details

Barnsley (4-4-2): Muller; Foster, Nyatanga, Souza, Van Homoet; Devaney (Hassell 90), Togwell, Howard, McCann; Ferenczi (Odejayi 81), Macken.
Subs: Ricketts, Mostto, Johnson.
Booked: Howard Foster, Macken.
Sent off: Foster.
Stoke City (4-4-2): Simonsen; Wilkinson, Cort, Showcross, Pugh; Lawrence, Eustace, Delap, Cresswell; Sidibe (Parkin 77), Fuller.
Subs: Zakuani, Pulis, Dickinson, Hoult (g).
Booked: Pugh, Showcross, Lawrence.
Referee: T Kettle (Rutland).

[Lakeland Potter]

The Times
Stoke keep promotion push on track after controversial finish
Barnsley 3 Stoke 3

Jason Mellor
When the dust settles – and there was plenty of it with a sending-off, a Stoke City player earning a postmatch lecture from police and another facing censure for making cutthroat gestures at the crowd, not forgetting Liam Lawrence securing a draw with a hat-trick courtesy of an injury-time penalty – this may just turn out to be a decent point for the visiting team.

An eighth match unbeaten for Stoke pushed them up to third in the Coca-Cola Championship after they had shown character in abundance to come from behind three times to earn a share of the spoils as Lawrence, the midfield player, beat Heinz Muller deep into stoppage time after Kayode Odejayi’s tug on Jon Parkin.

Simon Davey, the Barnsley manager, was so upset over the referee’s decision that he refused to speak about it, but his counterpart, Tony Pulis, begged to differ. “The lad’s just about given Parkin his shirt back,” the Stoke manager said.

Barnsley, who retain play-off hopes after extending an unbeaten home run that stretches back to August 25, appeared to have secured the points when Jon Macken, the striker, poked home his second goal of the contest from Odejayi’s knockdown with five minutes remaining.

Coming 60 seconds after Lawrence finished off a brilliantly worked free kick from eight yards to level for a second time, Macken’s third goal in two matches looked like finally ending Stoke’s resistance.

Pulis, though, has fashioned a side that is nothing if not dogged and he said: “It would have been a travesty had we lost, in fact we’re disappointed to score three times and still not win.”

In the immediate aftermath of a breathless finale, Pulis was unable to elaborate on Ryan Shawcross, the defender on loan from Manchester United, having been on the receiving end of a ticking-off from South Yorkshire Police over claims of crowd incitement, nor did he see the provocative gestures made by Fuller towards Barnsley fans in the second half. Both will await the referee’s match report with interest.

“He was was upset with some of their challenges,” Pulis said. “Three of their players were booked and another sent off, all for challenges on him. Ricardo’s got to calm down as well. I didn’t see any gestures, but he’s got that little bit about him and we’ve got to make sure we control that.”

Shortly after Lawrence had seen a dipping free kick hit the bar in the 63rd minute, Macken put Barnsley 2-1 ahead with a header in off the underside of the woodwork after Dennis Souza knocked back Martin Devaney’s corner.

Macken was also involved in the opening goal after 23 minutes, when his burst into the area was halted illegally by Richard Cresswell, a forward giving his counterparts a bad name with an inept piece of defending.

Brian Howard, the Barnsley midfield player, retained admirable composure during the inevitable Stoke protests to send his shot into the opposite corner to the dive of Steve Simonsen, the Stoke goalkeeper.

Lawrence, accepting responsibility after Souza sought to wrestle Fuller to ground just inside the junction of goal-line and area, made the task appear similarly routine, sending Muller the wrong way, as he did at the death.

“It’s a bitter pill to swallow,” Davey said. “I felt we’d deservedly won the game and our dressing-room is pretty silent at present. I’m already in trouble with referees so I don’t want to say any more.”



Barnsley (4-4-2): H Muller – S Foster, L Nyatanga, D Souza, M van Homoet – M Devaney (sub: B Hassell, 90min), S Togwell, B Howard, G McCann – J Macken, I Ferenczi (sub: K Odejayi, 81). Substitutes not used: R Ricketts, M Mostto, A Johnson. Booked: Souza, Howard, Foster, Macken. Sent off: Foster.

Stoke City (4-4-2): S Simonsen – A Wilkinson, L Cort, R Shawcross, D Pugh – L Lawrence, R Delap, J Eustace, R Cresswell – M Sidibe (sub: J Parkin, 77), R Fuller. Substitutes not used: G Zakuani, A Pulis, C Dickinson, R Hoult. Booked: Pugh, Shawcross, Lawrence.

Referee: T Kettle.

[Lakeland Potter]

The Independent

Championship round up: Lawrence's treble keeps Stoke in touch with leaders
By Gordon Tynan
Published: 27 December 2007
Stoke City went into third place yesterday after snatching a 3-3 draw at Barnsley, with Liam Lawrence scoring a hat-trick. Lawrence twice got the visitors back on level terms following goals from Brian Howard and Jon Macken, but Macken's second five minutes from time appeared to have settled a pulsating game. But the former Sunderland midfielder completed his treble with his second penalty of the day in the last minute after Stephen Foster had been sent off.

Crystal Palace extended their unbeaten run to 11 games under Neil Warnock with victory at Coventry. Clinton Morrison netted his 10th league goal of the season before Michael Doyle saw his penalty well saved by Eagles goalkeeper Julian Speroni just after an hour. Substitute Paul Ifill added a second late on.

Charlton remain fifth after holding out for a point at improving Norwich despite being a man down for an hour. Charlton took an early lead through Zheng Zhi but were forced on to the back foot after Sam Sodje's dismissal for a terrible challenge on Darel Russell after 30 minutes. Russell headed an equaliser 17 minutes from time.

Ten-man Blackpool fought back to take a point in a 1-1 draw with Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. Ian Evatt conceded a penalty and was sent off after just eight minutes, and although James Beattie missed from the spot he did put United ahead later in the half. However, Claus Jorgensen grabbed a second-half equaliser from a free-kick.

Plymouth climbed into the play-off places with a late winner against Queen's Park Rangers which sent the visitors back into the relegation zone. Gareth Ainsworth put QPR in front but Sylvain Ebanks-Blake scored a penalty and snatched the winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Play-off hopefuls Wolverhampton Wanderers were beaten 2-0 at Hull City, with goals from Richard Garcia and Fraizer Campbell. Clive Platt hit a vital equaliser to rescue a point for bottom side Colchester and dent Southampton's play-off hopes at Layer Road. Jhon Viafara's close-range finish had given the visitors a deserved lead. Martin Paterson's 10th goal of the season gave Scunthorpe victory over fellow strugglers Preston at Deepdale. Deon Burton and Ade Akinbiyi scored within the space of two first-half minutes as Burnley and Sheffield Wednesday drew at Turf Moor.

[Deleted]

Daily Mirror

IT'S A MERRY CHRISTMAS FOR MISTER LAWRENCE
Coca Cola CHAMPIONSHIP Barnsley 3 Stoke City 3
27/12/2007
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Hat-TRICK hero Liam Lawrence grabbed a dramatic injury-time leveller to push Stoke up to third.

Jon Macken put Barnsley ahead for the third time when he poked home Kayode Odejayi's knockdown for his second goal of the game in a breathless finale on 86 minutes.

But Lawrence kept his cool deep into stoppage time after Odejayi pulled back Barnsley-born sub Jon Parkin's shirt to extend Stoke's unbeaten run to eight games with his second spot-kick of the game.

City's on-loan Manchester United defender Ryan Shawcross was spoken to by police after the game over claims of crowd incitement, and boss Tony Pulis said: "I don't know anything about that, but I thought we showed bags of character to get a point."

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Barnsley broke the deadlock thanks to Brian Howard's ninth goal of the season midway through the first half.

Striker Richard Cresswell paid the price for tripping Macken, and Howard kept his cool to send Steve Simonsen the wrong way.

The lead lasted just eight minutes as more brainless defending brought Stoke level.

Ricardo Fuller - who could be in trouble if referee Trevor Kettle includes the striker's throat-cut gesture to Barnsley fans in his match report - was going nowhere, but Dennis Souza panicked to bundle over Stoke's top scorer.

Lawrence made his spot kick look just as easy as Howard had done.

Lawrence struck the bar with a dipping 25-yard free-kick just before Macken pounced for his first on 66 minutes as he headed home Souza's knock-back in off the bar.

Former Sunderland star Lawrence levelled again with five minutes left after a free-kick, only for Macken to put Barnsley back in front for a third time 60 seconds later.

Barnsley had defender Stephen Foster sent off for a second yellow card at the end. Boss Simon Davey said: "There's silence in the dressing room because they know they've done enough to win."

Print this

[Rebelliousjukebox]

Today's Guardian.


Lawrence pulls draw out of hat for Stoke as Davey is left fuming


Russell Cunningham
Thursday December 27, 2007
The Guardian


Liam Lawrence earned Stoke City a dramatic injury-time draw against Barnsley at Oakwell yesterday with his second penalty of a match in which half the goals were scored in the final six minutes.
Stoke were heading for their first defeat in seven games but were handed a lifeline when the referee, Trevor Kettle, awarded a penalty in the 93rd minute after Barnsley's Kayode Odejayi was accused of pulling Jon Parkin's shirt. Lawrence stepped up to convert the penalty and seal his hat-trick.


Article continues

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The decision of Kettle left the Barnsley manager, Simon Davey, steaming: "I'm speechless. I thought the players had won the game, they deserved to win the game." He added: "The referee gave two different versions of the penalty. Take what you want from that. One was a handball, one was a pull."
Davey's Stoke counterpart, Tony Pulis, was similarly staggered, though more by his team scoring three away goals in a remarkable recovery. "We're delighted with the way we came back," Pulis said. "Barnsley were in front three times. It showed a lot of character."

Barnsley had the first chance in the opening two minutes of the game, when Grant McCann's free-kick from 35 yards forced Steve Simonsen into action. Stoke were soon into their stride, though, as Lawrence forced a clearance from Sam Togwell while his corner forced Heinz Müller to punch the ball to safety.

Lawrence tried his luck again with a right-footed volley but a foul by Richard Cresswell on Jon McCann after 23 minutes gave Barnsley a penalty which Brian Howard converted to give the home side a shock lead. Barnsley went close to increasing their advantage when McCann forced Simonsen into action, but their lead was short-lived.

On the stroke of the half-hour, Stoke levelled the scores, also with a penalty. Dennis Souza was adjudged to have fouled Ricardo Fuller and Lawrence converted.

Stoke could have added more with Lawrence again causing the Tykes' defence problems and Mamady Sidibe also went close with a header.

Both sides wasted chances to take the lead early in the second half until Barnsley scored their second goal thanks to a headed effort from Macken, who latched on to a cross from Martin Devaney.

Both sides pushed forward, but Barnsley were left to rue their missed chances as Lawrence popped up for his second of the game and draw Stoke level with a six-yard shot on 82 minutes.

Stoke barely had time to celebrate the goal, however, when Barnsley re-established their lead. Devaney's initial shot was fumbled away by Simonsen, but straight into the path of Macken who made no mistake in sending the ball into the back of the net.

The afternoon's drama was far from over, though, and Lawrence had yet to take his curtain call.

Man of the match Liam Lawrence

(Stoke City)



Match Facts
Championship
Wednesday December 26, 2007
FT Barnsley 3-3 Stoke
23' Howard (penalty) 1-0
30' Souza
31' 1-1 Lawrence (penalty)
39' Pugh
45' Howard
61' Foster
66' Macken 2-1
75' Shawcross
83' Macken
84' 2-2 Lawrence
85' Macken 3-2
85' Lawrence
90' 3-3 Lawrence (penalty)
90' Foster
Barnsley
Heinz Muller, Steve Foster, Lewin Nyatanga, Dennis Souza, Marciano van Homoet, Martin Devaney (Bobby Hassell), Brian Howard, Grant McCann, Sam Togwell, Istvan Ferenczi (Kayode Odejayi), Jon Macken

Stoke
Steve Simonsen, Leon Cort, Danny Pugh, Ryan Shawcross, Andy Wilkinson, Rory Delap, John Eustace, Liam Lawrence, Richard Cresswell, Ricardo Fuller, Mamady Sidibe (Jon Parkin)

Referee: Kettle, T

Venue: Oakwell Stadium

Attendance: 12,398

Corners:
Barnsley 5
Stoke 8

Goal Attempts:
Barnsley 12
Stoke 13

On Target:
Barnsley 8
Stoke 4

[daverichards]

cheers to all who posted reports, keep up the good work on weekdays fella's, I'm out the door by 7am these days