Brad Collins psyched out Coventry City goalkeeper to secure victory for Barnsley

BARNSLEY hero Brad Collins has revealed how he employed a few mind games to unnerve Coventry City rival Viktor Gyokeres – and they certainly worked a treat in a dramatic finale at Oakwell.
By Leon Wobschall
Published 16th Aug 2021, 06:00 BST

Leading 1-0, the Reds were rocked in stoppage-time when the Sky Blues, dominant for swathes of the game after going behind to Dominik Frieser’s 39th-minute strike, were controversially awarded a spot-kick.

It came after Jordan Williams challenged Jamie Allen, with the penalty awarded on the call of an assistant after referee John Busby did not initially penalise the tackle.

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But the fateful hand was played by Collins, who saved Gyokeres’ spot-kick on a day when the hosts received eight yellow cards.

Barnsley goalkeeper Bradley Collins celebrates with team-mates after saving Coventry City's Viktor Gyokeres (not pictured) penalty kick (Picture: PA)Barnsley goalkeeper Bradley Collins celebrates with team-mates after saving Coventry City's Viktor Gyokeres (not pictured) penalty kick (Picture: PA)
Barnsley goalkeeper Bradley Collins celebrates with team-mates after saving Coventry City's Viktor Gyokeres (not pictured) penalty kick (Picture: PA)

He said: “I was just trying to psyche him out a bit and shout a bit longer.

“I read him and thought he’d go for his favoured side, which was my right and I managed to get down low and save it and get the rebound.

“You always want your first clean sheet on the board nice and early and in the second game, we have got it.

“But we’ve a lot to improve on and I’m sure we will do.”

Coventry City's Callum O'Hare (left) and Barnsley's Liam Kitching clash during the Sky Bet Championship match at Oakwell (Picture: Richard Sellers/PA Wire)Coventry City's Callum O'Hare (left) and Barnsley's Liam Kitching clash during the Sky Bet Championship match at Oakwell (Picture: Richard Sellers/PA Wire)
Coventry City's Callum O'Hare (left) and Barnsley's Liam Kitching clash during the Sky Bet Championship match at Oakwell (Picture: Richard Sellers/PA Wire)
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The game was settled by Frieser, who coolly slotted home after being played in by the excellent Romal Palmer. It was the Austrian’s first strike on home soil after failing to find the net on at Oakwell last term as head coach Markus Schopp was left to savour a winning start at Oakwell.

Frieser said: “I am very happy. It’s my first goal at Oakwell and the first time I have scored in front of Barnsley fans and I have been training hard for this.

“It was a moment I will never forget. I was so happy running to the fans, I was searching for my wife but I could not find her!”

The only downer saw key striker Carlton Morris exit the fray in the first half.

Coventry City's Viktor Gyokeres (left) and Barnsley's Michal Helik battle for the ball (Picture: PA)Coventry City's Viktor Gyokeres (left) and Barnsley's Michal Helik battle for the ball (Picture: PA)
Coventry City's Viktor Gyokeres (left) and Barnsley's Michal Helik battle for the ball (Picture: PA)
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He watched the second half from the West Stand and was wearing a leg brace, with the Reds anxiously awaiting scan results.

Barnsley: Collins; Sibbick, Helik, Kitching; Brittain, Styles, Palmer (Benson 63), B Williams (J Williams 69); Morris (Oduor 33), Frieser, Woodrow. Unused substitutes: Walton, Moon, Halme, Adeboyejo.

Coventry: Moore; Hyam, McFadzean, Rose (Clarke-Salter 77); Dabo, Hamer, Sheaf (Allen 77), Maatsen; O’Hare; Gyokeres, Walker (Waghorn 17). Unusued substitutes: Jones, Wilson, Shipley, Da Costa.

Referee: John Busby (Oxfordshire).

Related topics:Brad CollinsCoventry CityDominik FrieserOakwellBarnsley

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