Barnsley 4, Huddersfield Town 2

Jan 17 2005 By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

TOWN paid heavily for a disgraceful first half showing at Oakwell to leave prospects for the season hanging in the balance.

It was Macclesfield all over again as shambolic Town were completely outplayed in all departments to be three down at the break.

And, despite a rip-roaring fightback against 10 men in the second half - when substitutes Lee Fowler and Andy Booth made a big impact - Town's misery was compounded by a late moment of madness from keeper Paul Rachubka which presented Barnsley with a match-clinching penalty to complete Michael Chopra's hat trick.

The decision against Rachubka may have been harsh, but referee Trevor Kettle was so inconsistent that the keeper's lunge in retaliation to Chopra's flailing boot was highly charged with risk.

The successful spot-kick effectively ended Town's chances of pulling off a remarkable recovery in an eventful derby and left them to reflect on what might have been if only they had competed in the first 45 minutes.

On a ground where seven years ago manager Peter Jackson saw Town concede a club record six first-half goals, he must have been worried about a similar mauling as Barnsley were allowed to dominate every aspect before the boos of 2,500 travelling fans preceded a much-needed half-time reshuffle.

Chopra had netted on nine and 23 minutes before Michael Boulding - rejected by Town after several Reserve outings a few years ago - waltzed through to fire a third after 38 minutes of a grossly unpalatable half for the visitors, who were in such a mess they fashioned not a single decent pass to debutant loan striker Luke Beckett.

Jackson sent on Steve Yates for injured centre-back Nathan Clarke at the start of the second half and, crucially, introduced Lee Fowler to midfield to give the side much more shape, direction and bite.