Reds record biggest win of season

Barnsley recorded a seventh successive home win with a 5-0 thrashing of lowly Morecambe – their biggest win of the season.

The Reds raced into a 3-0 lead after 33 minutes with Devante Cole and Herbie Kane netting either side of an own goal by the overwhelmed visitors.

Cole added another after the break then Bobby Thomas completed the rout in injury-time.

Barnsley were excellent, in total control of the game and playing some superb football.

The Reds remain fourth in League One, five points off leaders Sheffield Wednesday who have played an extra game.

Michael Duff freshened his starting 11 up following the 3-1 loss at Exeter City in midweek, which ended a 12-game unbeaten run.

Adam Phillips and James Norwood dropped to the bench with Luke Thomas and Max Watters replacing them. Jon Russell was on the bench in place of Robbie Cundy.

The hosts took the lead in the fourth minute when Kane touched a free-kick to Luca Connell whose low 25-yard shot was spilled by Connor Ripley and Cole fired in the rebound from close range.

Jensen Weir fired well over from 22 yards for Morecambe then, from a similar distance at the other end, Luke Thomas saw a low shot easily saved by Ripley.

The second goal arrived midway through the second half courtesy of a fine move. Liam Kitching’s long pass from the left to the right was collected by Jordan Williams then, via a backheel by Bobby Thomas, the ball came to Connell whose low long-range shot was pushed wide by Ripley. But Williams’ cross was turned in by defender Dynel Simeu.

Watters could have made it 3-0 minutes later but his shot from ten yards was saved by Ripley after a great run on the left by Connell. Cole then headed over from a left-wing Connell corner.

The third goal saw Mads Andersen burst into the box from the right then, after he was tackled, the ball fell to Kane who placed a fine 15-yard shot into the bottom right corner.

Harry Isted easily caught a long-range free-kick by ex-Red Dan Crowley.

The Reds added another early in the second half with a superb move. Williams’ fantastic pass was dummied by Kane to put Cole clean through and he finished well.

Watters should have made it five seconds later but a right-wing cross dipped lower than he was expecting and he chested it to Ripley from close range.

Cole came close to a hat-trick when he shot wide 12 yards out on the turn from a Williams pass then, a minute later, saw Ripley push a powerful 20-yard strike out of the top right corner.

The game then quietened down with a series of substitutions from both sides.

Crowley hit the post with a curling long-range effort and Cole Stockton blazed the rebound over.

Morecambe’s Weir skipped into the box but his shot from the right was easily saved by Isted.

Cole thought he had a hat-trick when Ziyad Larkeche’s shot was diverted into his path and he scored from close range but the flag was up for offside.

The fifth goal saw Bobby Thomas head home from a left-wing Josh Benson corner.

Barnsley (3-5-2): Isted; B Thomas, Andersen, Kitching; Williams, L Thomas (Phillips 55mins), Connell (Russell 55), Kane (Benson 55), Cadden (Larkeche 69); Cole, Watters (Tedic 64).

Unused: Collins, Norwood.

Yellow cards: Kitching.

Goals: Cole 4, 54, Simeu OG 23, Kane 33, B Thomas 90+3.

Morecambe (3-5-2): Ripley; Rawson (Austerfield 77), Bedeau, Simeu; Love, Weir, Crowley (Mayor 77), Gibson, Souare; Stockton (Hunter 77), Niasse.

Unused: Smith, Delaney, Watts.