Barnsley started 2025 on the right foot with a 2-1 victory over Wrexham at Oakwell Stadium, marking their third consecutive win and solidifying their playoff aspirations.
The Reds stormed to an early lead with goals from Davis Keillor-Dunn and Adam Phillips, both scored within the first half-hour of play. Barnsley dominated the first half, quickly asserting their presence on the pitch. The opening goal came after just 11 minutes when Keillor-Dunn, meeting a precise setup from Phillips, curled the ball beautifully past Wrexham's goalkeeper, finding the bottom right corner.
Just 13 minutes later, Barnsley doubled their lead as Phillips himself scored with a stunning effort from the edge of the box after robbing Wrexham defender Eoghan O'Connell. Phillips expertly curved his shot beyond the outstretched arms of the goalkeeper, sending the crowd at Oakwell wild.
Despite the scoreline, the second half presented Wrexham with opportunities to claw back some ground. The visitors came out re-energized and pushed to get back levelling the score. Early on, Wrexham's Paul Mullin came close, hitting the side netting, and was denied again shortly after, this time as Barnsley keeper Ben Killip showcased his skills by blocking his attempt one-on-one.
Wrexham continued to apply the pressure and were unlucky when George Dobson's header hit the crossbar. Even after Barnsley missed several chances to extend their lead—including Phillips volleying wide with the goal gaping—Wrexham was able to generate moments of real danger. Their persistence paid off as they halved the deficit with ten minutes remaining. Max Cleworth smacked home the rebound after Mullin's low cross evaded several Barnsley defenders.
Wrexham's late goal injected excitement as they pushed for the equalizer, but Barnsley's solid defense held firm, and the game ended with the score still at 2-1. This victory not only showcased Barnsley’s ability to bounce back from previous disappointments—a stark turnaround from their prior dismal 4-0 defeat against Leyton Orient—but it also lifted them momentarily to sixth place, within the playoff zone.
Reflecting on the match, Barnsley's manager noted the improved performance and the importance of maintaining momentum as they look to solidify their playoff status moving forward. Meanwhile, Wrexham, now pushed down to third place, will be eager to turn things around quickly as they face Peterborough United next, needing to reclaim their place among the top contenders for promotion.
This match depicted how quickly fortunes can change within the League One standings; for Barnsley, it was a step forward, and for Wrexham, it was back to the drawing board with added pressure mounted from other teams breathing down their necks.