Barnsley has made it two wins out of two to kick off 2025, confidently defeating Crawley Town 3-0 at home. The victorious streak was marked by goals from Jon Russell, Max Watters, and Davis Keillor-Dunn, showcasing the Tykes’ recent form.
The opening goal came early for Barnsley when Jon Russell found the net just 11 minutes after kickoff, finishing off Corey O’Keeffe’s cutback from the right. Russell's goal set the tone for the match, leaving Crawley scrambling to find their footing.
Crawley managed to strike back briefly with Junior Quitirna nearly equalizing midway through the first half, but his shot sailed over the bar. The miss proved costly for the visitors, as they would soon find themselves on the receiving end of more attacking pressure from Barnsley.
Max Watters extended Barnsley’s lead shortly after halftime, scoring the second goal at the 51-minute mark. After being played through by Adam Phillips, Watters calmly slotted the ball past Crawley’s goalkeeper Jojo Wollacott. Just three minutes later, Davis Keillor-Dunn sealed the deal with the third goal, curling his left-footed shot from the edge of the box for his fifth goal of the season across six matches.
Despite the scoreline, Crawley had their chances and nearly pulled one back when Rushian Hepburn-Murphy hit the post after capitalizing on Mael De Gevigney’s giveaway at the back. Unfortunately for Crawley, Barnsley’s defense stood firm, and the Tykes cleared the danger.
Barnsley manager Darrell Clarke was pleased with his team's performance for the majority of the match but expressed concern about their sloppiness during the final 20 minutes. “The performance for 65-70 minutes was fantastic; lots of chances, which we should’ve finished more of,” he commented, appreciating the efforts of his players, yet calling for more composure when closing out games.
Clarke noted the significance of the victory, particularly after playing four matches within ten days. “Four wins out of four, it’s great for the boys to respond in this way. We just need to be more cautious with our players’ minutes,” he stated, referencing his squad rotation to manage player fatigue.
On the other side of the pitch, Crawley’s manager Rob Elliot offered a damning assessment of his team’s performance. He lamented the team’s slow start and inability to rise to the occasion. “You can’t start playing when you’re 3-0 down. It’s too late by then,” Elliot explained, emphasizing the need for more intensity and intent right from the first whistle.
Elliot expressed disappointment with his team’s readiness to engage from the outset, saying, “We played right to their game plan and didn’t execute ours.” The manager emphasized the importance of starting strong against teams like Barnsley, who thrive on such moments.
Reflecting on the game, Elliot added, “When the game is done, the pressure is gone, and you can start playing, but it’s not acceptable. You need to be competitive for all 90 minutes.” His comments signal significant work needed for Crawley as they now have to face the reality of being five points adrift from safety.
With this win, Barnsley continues their promising start to 2025, underlining their ambition of climbing higher up the League One table. Their next match will be pivotal as they aim to maintain momentum and secure their position after solidifying another victory.
Meanwhile, Crawley Town will have to regroup and prepare for their next outing, with hopes of breaking their poor run and securing much-needed points. With limited time before they head to play Burton on January 18, they will look to analyze their errors and come back stronger in future fixtures.
Overall, Barnsley’s winning streak reflects their current form, resilience, and the strategic prowess of manager Darrell Clarke, underlining their capabilities to compete effectively within League One this season.