Barnsley 2 Hull City 0: O’Grady fires warning to Wednesday as Reds put Hull’s promotion party on hold

TO David Flitcroft, April 27 will always be the day when he lost his beloved father John.
Barnsley players celebrate Chris O'Gradys goal with their manager and staffBarnsley players celebrate Chris O'Gradys goal with their manager and staff
Barnsley players celebrate Chris O'Gradys goal with their manager and staff

His passing five years ago continues to have a huge impact on the Barnsley manager, who spent Saturday morning visiting the family grave.

It was, understandably, an emotional time. But, as Flitcroft made clear in the wake of leading the Reds to a potentially crucial victory over Hull City, his own life and career continue to be inspired 
and shaped by the memory of his dad.

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“It has been an emotional day,” said Flitcroft after goals from Jacob Mellis and Chris O’Grady ensured Barnsley’s fight for survival would go to the final day.

“I visited my dad’s grave in Bolton this morning and spent some time with him before coming here for the game.

“Every day is special when my dad is around and in my thoughts. I do all this for my dad and my family.

“He is my driving force, even though he is not here anymore. He still leads the family. I have just got to make sure I do him proud and become the dad he was.

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“What did my dad teach me? Work ethic, courage, never give up. And if someone wants to fight you, make sure you fight them.

“If you don’t beat them, find another way to fight them. He always maintained that.”

Judging by how the 39-year-old has taken to the demands of football management since succeeding Keith Hill at the turn of the year, Flitcroft senior did a very good job of instilling such qualities in his son.

Certainly, all those attributes and more could be found in abundance among Flitcroft’s players as Barnsley claimed a fully deserved victory over promotion-chasing Hull City.

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That such a polished display should come in a game that the Reds simply had to win against a team who knew three points would clinch a Premier League return made it all the more impressive.

The tone was set inside four minutes when, after the hosts had made it clear Hull were in for a tough afternoon by not allowing Steve Bruce’s men any time to dwell on the ball, a sweeping move brought the first goal.

Chris O’Grady played an important role by, first, claiming possession midway inside the City half and then finding Mellis with a deft pass. As key as O’Grady’s involvement was, however, the goal itself owed everything to a truly stunning finish from Mellis that saw the ball cannon into the net off the under side of the crossbar.

For a Hull side whose hopes of clinching promotion the previous night had been frustrated by Watford’s win at Leicester City, it was the worst possible start.

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Their afternoon almost took a further turn for the worse before the interval as Reuben Noble-Lazarus shot narrowly wide after a weaving run and Chris Dagnall was just beaten to the ball by goalkeeper David Stockdale.

O’Grady also had a shot blocked by James Chester before the loanee striker received the reward his performance had merited five minutes into the second half.

Dagnall had initially found his path to goal blocked by David Meyler but that served only to set up O’Grady, who drilled a shot across Stockdale and into the net.

As the visiting hordes chanted “Brucey, sort it out”, Hull did, at least, belatedly start to threaten as a cross evaded Jay Simpson and Nick Proschwitz headed wide following a cross from Ahmed Elmohamady.

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Paul McShane also had a late chance that he headed over but, in truth, even one City goal would have been cruel on Barnsley, who also went close late on as O’Grady’s intended pass to Jason Scotland was diverted by a Hull leg into the side-netting.

All in all, therefore, a hugely satisfying afternoon for the Reds, even if Peterborough United’s subsequent victory over Sheffield Wednesday in the tea-time kick-off means they go into the final day derby meeting with Huddersfield Town still in the bottom three on goal difference.

For Hull, meanwhile, a week that had begun with Bruce taking his squad to the seaside as a relaxation tool ended with the Tigers all at sea.

Striker O’Grady, who joined Barnsley on loan from Sheffield Wednesday in late January, said: “Hull came here to enjoy a party. We could see that from the atmosphere before the game.

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“We used that as our motivation, we wanted to spoil that party. Basically, we are in Barnsley and this is not where they can party.”

Come the final whistle, a party atmosphere had, indeed, descended on Oakwell as the players conducted a lap of honour. News that Posh had won later tempered that celebratory air but O’Grady is adamant the Reds can prevail.

He added: “I honestly believe we are in a false position. Hull are where they are because they have been consistent all season. We have been consistent in the second half of the season.

“Wednesday letting me come here showed that I was no longer required. And that they deemed Barnsley not to be a threat to them (in the relegation fight).

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“It was a motivation for me. I did everything I could (at Hillsborough) and I scored a few goals. But any player wants to go to a place where they are wanted.”

Day of reckoning at the bottom

Before this season, no team had ever been relegated from the second tier with more than 52 points.

This term, however, a new record will be set as no less than six teams go into the final week in danger of the drop.

Millwall can reduce that to five by beating Crystal Palace tomorrow but, otherwise, Saturday will be the day of reckoning.

Fixtures (all 12.45pm)

Brighton v Wolves, Crystal Palace v Peterborough, Derby County v Millwall, Huddersfield Town v Barnsley, Sheffield Wednesday v Middlesbrough