Match Preview: Barnsley Away

Last updated : 17 August 2009 By Paul Neat

Barnsley Vs Preston North End

Coca-Cola Championship Tuesday 18th August 2009

Is it glass half full or glass half empty for North End fans so far this term? If you are a glass half full type of person then the Brightside is that North End are currently unbeaten so far. However those of the latter will be more concerned that the Lilywhites are yet to record their first league win of the season.

Simon Davey

Thus, having already been thwarted in their attempts to pick up a win against another team from South Yorkshire on Saturday, North End will be aiming to go one better when they take on Simon Davey’s Barnsley on Tuesday and not procrastinate recording their first win any longer.

Although Barnsley are also looking for their first league win of the season, unlike North End, their unbeaten record is not intact.  Drawing with Sheffield Wednesday on the opening day and a defeat to an impressive looking Coventry City on Saturday means that the Tykes will be looking to get back on track as soon as possible.

Previous Meetings

Last season’s trip to Oakwell saw North End earn themselves a point thanks to a stunning Ross Wallace free-kick. On-loan striker Jamie Cureton put the home side ahead in the first half but the Tykes were unable to add to their slender lead and in the end were punished.

With little over 15 minutes left, Ross Wallace sent the travelling North End faithful into raptures when he bent his free-kick over the wall and into the top corner.

Ross Wallace

Things weren’t so rosy when the Tykes visited Deepdale earlier in the season either. North End had to thank Sean St Ledger for the winning goal with just two minutes remaining. The Republic of Ireland international’s lob went in over Heinz Muller who was wrong-footed by a deflection to give North End a last-gasp win.

Richard Chaplow had put North End ahead on 21 minutes only to see Jamal Campbell-Ryce equalise just 12 minutes later.

The head-to-head stats are great reading for North End who have 5 more wins than their Yorkshire counterparts with 20 as opposed to 15. However, the majority of Barnsley’s wins have come at Oakwell with North End being victorious just 6 times.

Team News

In true sod’s law style, just as Alan Irvine was praising his strength in depth, two of his main men were struck down with injury. As a result, the former Everton assistant manager is sweating over the fitness of winger Ross Wallace and centre-half Youl Mawene.

Youl Mawene

Wallace was complaining of soreness in his knee whilst Mawene pulled his hamstring during the draw with Doncaster. The extent of the injuries is currently unknown but the pair are most likely to miss out on Tuesday.

For the home team, former Deepdale favourite Jon Macken is in line to start as is Rob Kozluk who will play his last game before serving a suspension.