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Controversial decisions mars the 2023 League One Playoff Final, and fans didn’t hold back with their thoughts on the referee.
Coming into this game, Barnsley defeated Bolton 2-1 on aggregate to secure place at Wembley while Sheffield Wednesday produced an astonishing comeback to beat Peterborough in semi-final.
Sheffield Wednesday finished in third place with 96 points from 46 games played, two behind second place Ipswich in the regular season. Barnsley placed fourth, 10 points less than the Owls.
Barnsley won both meetings during the regular season, but as we all saw in the second leg at Hillsborough, anything could happen.
Right, time to find out how the game played out…
8 minutes in and Williams failed to clear a cross from the right, his header coming out to Bannan, whose volley was then stopped by Thomas.
Isted then denied Iorfa after the ball had been headed down for him, but couldn’t get a proper connection with it a simple save for the keeper. Nervy start for Barnsley.
The Tykes’ first sight of goal came on 15 minutes, however Phillips fires over after nodding down in the box and couldn’t keep his effort down under pressure.
Then the game slowed down after James tried to send the ball across the face of the Barnsley goal with a cross from the left bit it lacked curl, with Isted saving it with ease.
42 minutes and Sheffield Wednesday struggled to show threat. Bannan sent a hopeful ball into the box but it floated over the head of Smith and Barnsley cleared.
Cole appealed for a foul by Iorfa 10 yards outside the Wednesday box. But the referee gave nothing with Iorfa thought to have got a touch on the ball.
The last action of the first half saw Barnsley go close as Tedic received the ball in the box but James was on to him quickly to take the ball away from him around the spot. Bannan then cleared. A scare for the Owls.
HALF TIME
Sky Sports’ Simeon Gholam at Wembley: “It has been a little tepid, so far. The stakes are so high so it’s not a surprise.
“Barnsley have a little more firepower off the bench, particularly in James Norwood – a man who is very familiar to scoring in a play-off final.
“We’ve already seen two play-off finals head to penalties this weekend. Who’d back against a third after what we’ve already seen here this afternoon?”
Ex-Reading midfielder Jobi McAnuff on Sky Sports: “Both teams are scared to give too much away. In terms of the occasion, you do not want to get yourself behind and have to chase the game.
“We’ve seen it across the whole weekend, tight, cagey, we know it’s going to be like that. It’s who is going to find that bit of quality to break the deadlock.”
The second half was thankfully more dramatic, it began with VAR looking at Gregory missing the ball and caught Kitching. In spite of that VAR says, it was decided not to be a penalty, a controversial call however.
Then on 50 minutes, Barnsley went down to 10 men. Referee Tim Robinson ultimately decided Phillips’ challenge was worthy of a red – commentators, Barnsley players and fans didn’t. VAR checked and upheld the decision.
Simeon Gholam at Wembley: “Phillips looks stunned. Duff looks perplexed. The Barnsley fans look aghast.
“He’s gone in a bit hard but that is very harsh for me. But no way it’ll be overturned.”
Sky Sports’ Don Goodman: “This is a huge moment. He doesn’t get the ball. Is that worthy of a red card? I’m not so sure.
“I think it’s a yellow card.”
Then the woodwork was struck on 54 minutes Barnsley came close as Kitching flicked Cadden’s long-range strike on to the frame of the goal, making a deflection the way towards goal.
STRAIGHT RED CARD FOR ADAM PHILLIPS! 🟥
Was this the right call by the referee?! 🧐 pic.twitter.com/nCIiLdqCHB
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 29, 2023
10-man Barnsley sooo nearly take the lead!! 😲
Liam Kitching’s brilliant header comes crashing off the crossbar! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/IWdG5wNdW5
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 29, 2023
The it was Sheffield Wednesday’s turn to have a go. Bannan made his way past his man and attempted to bend the ball into the top corner but his effort is just a fraction wide.
Barnsley fought back however, Cadden having an effort at a tight angle which was well stopped by Wednesday goalkeeper Dawson before shortly after, Wednesday sent in a low cross across the Barnsley box and Thomas sent the ball goal bound with a bad touch but Isted was there to keep it from going in.
65 minutes and Barnsley were relieved again as a foul was given in their own area with Gregory challenging Thomas in the box.
Just under 10 minutes later and Norwood tried to surprise Dawson and came so close to putting Barnsley in front, being denied by the strong hand.
Despite a flurry of late chances, no side could find the goal, meaning the game went to extra time.
