Barnsley FC 2 Blackpool 1: Daniel Stendel love-in is back as Amari Richards secures late win

A lengthy club statement, issued at just after the 11pm cut-off point, conveyed the impression that bringing in no further signings was not considered to be a problem to those in the corridors of power. Quite the opposite in fact.

A glowing endorsement of Barnsley’s summer window work referenced ‘a purposeful period of business’ and one that reflected ‘a clear identity and a disciplined strategy, built around potential, hungry players and a squad aligned with the club's football philosophy.’

Well meaning as the message was, supporters who were not present at Saturday’s exhilarating performance and result at Leyton Orient wanted to see further deeds as opposed to words and firm evidence themselves. Another win would be a good start.

Barnsley, who fielded a starting line-up with an average age of 21.7 - Blackpool’s average was 26 and with plenty of games under the clock - duly did just that with a third consecutive win in all competitions for the first time in almost a year.

It reflected well on Daneil Stendel’s coaching and ability to read a game. His switch to bring in match-winner Amari Richards at the interval was a masterstroke.

It was he who headed in the 87th-minute winner to crown a fine bench contribution as Barnsley secured the sort of result which can only aid such a young side in their development. Stendel was heralded in song regularly by the Ponty End.

The winner was not without controversy with Blackpool furious that Kelly, who flicked the ball onto Richards, was not ruled out for handball.

Strictly speaking, there was an ‘event’ of sorts at Barnsley on deadline day following a brouhaha involving Reyes Cleary - amid unconfirmed talk that he had tabled a transfer request in a bid to push through a move to the Championship.

Any feats of the winger sulking were certainly dispelled. He was lively alongside Patrick Kelly, two huge players for the Reds.

Barnsley were unchanged from the weekend, with Luca Connell was back on the bench, but there was no place for new striker Ben Hamed Toure.

No cause for alarm, that said, with the Ivorian flying back to France shortly after his transfer announcement on Sunday to sort 'logistics' ahead of his full-time move to live in the UK.

It is hoped he could be involved this coming weekend, all being well.

Barnsley’s excellent result last weekend surely precluded the need to throw him in, in any case.

The name of Josh Earl leapt from the page in the Blackpool line-up as he returned to Oakwell exactly a week after his trans-Pennine move. Ex-Reds captain Jordan Williams was another familiar name in the Seasiders’ backline.

Williams had a decent early chance for Pool, when he picked the pocket of Luke Alker before firing into the side-netting.

The visitors chose their moments to press pretty well and the Reds had some defensive issues, with Tom Bloxham also putting himself about and being a bit of a nuisance.

Creditably, Barnsley got their act together as the half wore on and posted a good spell of pressure and some stirring tempo after the midway point of the first period.

Jono Bland fired over when well placed before Cleary - who switched flanks with Alker - came to life and a trademark left-wing run saw him deliver a dangerous cross, with Albie Morgan making a key clearance to deny Kelly a clear shot on goal.

Makenzie Kirk saw his effort blocked at the far post after consternation in the visitors defence. It was auguring well for the Reds, only for the visitors to find their feet again and end the half on top.

Huddersfield Town loanee Dion Charles rattled the post with a sweet curler before Sam Gale made a key block to thwart Bloxham.

The half ended with Earl, handed a few jeers by home punters, clearing Kirk’s close-range effort on the line after good work by Kelly.

Kirk and Alker were replaced at the interval by Leo Farrell and Richards.

On the restart, the hosts had a big let-off after being opened up.

A cross from the right found Middlesbrough loanee Finley Munroe, completely unmarked. Instead of shooting, he cut the ball back to Bloxham, whose goalbound effort was cleared by Gale.

And then the breakthrough - at the other end - when McGeehan got a touch to Kelly’s low drive into the net, having been played onside by Earl.

Barnsley had the game where they wanted it, which made their concession all the more galling with Charles picking out Bowler, who levelled after Barnsley’s defence were caught with their pants down.

In fairness, the hosts hit back. Richards saw his deflected shot strike the base of the near post and Cleary’s follow-up agonisingly flashed across goal.

Both sides pushed for a winner. Anderson fired over when well placed before substitute Leighton Clarkson skied a superb chance after fellow replacement Jerry Yates got away down the right before the lively Richards went close at the other end.

He was not put off as he stayed alive at the far post to net with a lopping header after Kelly flicked on Cleary’s centre.

Barnsley: Ravenhill; Noslin (Larkeche 81), O’Riordan, Gale, Kay; Bland (Connell 72), McGeehan; Alker (Richards HT), Kelly, Cleary; Kirk (Farrell HT). Substitutes unused: Flavell, Taylor, Saunders.

Blackpool: Peacock-Farrell; Williams, Casey, Earl, Munroe (Hamilton 69); Bowler, Honeyman (Clarkson 54), Morgan, Anderson; Bloxham (Yates 59), Charles. Substitutes unused: Southwood, Lyons, Ashworth, Hunter.

Referee: J O’Connor (Derbys)