Barnsley

Birmingham 2-0 Barnsley
Gary McSheffrey's first-half goal and a late strike from Neil Danns earned Birmingham a fifth straight league win. Nicklas Bendtner could have scored in the first minute but the Blues failed to take advantage of opportunities before the break as they dominated. Substitute Daniel Nardiello transformed Barnsley and was only just denied in the 70th minute. But a fifth successive clean sheet in the Championship kept Birmingham's promotion challenge on course. Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Kelly, Jaidi, Martin Taylor, Sadler, Larsson, Muamba, Clemence (Nafti 88), McSheffrey (Campbell 89), Jerome (Danns 67), Bendtner. Subs Not Used: Doyle, Kilkenny. Booked: Clemence. Goals: McSheffrey 35, Danns 90. Barnsley: Colgan, Austin, Reid, Kay, Heckingbottom, Devaney (Hayes 69), Togwell, Howard, McIndoe, Richards (Nardiello 62), Wright (Hassell 90). Subs Not Used: Wroe, Williams. Booked: Austin. Att: 19,344 Ref: M Russell (Hertfordshire).

Lambs swoop for Barnsley's Heslop
Tamworth have completed the month-long loan signing of Barnsley midfielder Simon Heslop. The 19-year-old joins the Lambs as cover after they lost the services of the on-loan trio of Tom Kemp, Bradley Thomas and Gavin McAllum. Manager Mark Cooper asked the Conference for permission to make a further emergency loan signing. Heslop has been a regular for the reserves for the last three years and impressed on loan at Kidderminster.

Cadamarteri lands Barnsley trial
Former Everton striker and England under-21 international Danny Cadamarteri has joined Championship side Barnsley on trial. The 27-year-old, who started his career at Oakwell, has had spells with Bradford (twice), Leeds and Sheffield United after leaving Everton in 2002. \"Danny left Bradford in the summer and is a free agent now,\" Barnsley boss Andy Ritchie told the club's website. \"He has been training with us all week and we will have a closer look at him.\"

Ritchie disappointed with board
Barnsley manager Andy Ritchie says he is disappointed that the Tykes board are refusing to talk about extending his contract. Ritchie's deal is due to expire at the end of this season and he had been told he would be offered a new contract. Ritchie told SSB: \"The chairman told me there are no immediate plans to talk about my contract and won't be in the foreseeable future. \"But given what was said a month ago I'm very disappointed.\" Barnsley have lost eight of their last 10 Championship games, winning only one, and lie second bottom in the table.

Leeds 2-2 Barnsley
Leeds loan duo Ugo Ehiogu and Tresor Kandol scored on their home debuts as the Yorkshire derby ended all-square. Daniel Nardiello gave Barnsley a second-minute lead after he nutmegged Shaun Derry and beat Ehiogu before burying his finish beyond Graham Stack. Within five minutes Leeds were level as Kandol rose unchallenged to head home. Just after Eddie Lewis hit the post for Leeds, Nardiello scored another superb solo goal, before Ehiogu equalised for Leeds in first-half stoppage time.

Tykes quartet extend loan spells
Four young Barnsley players have extended their loan spells with Conference sides Halifax and Tamworth. Defender Ryan Laight, 21, will spend the rest of the season on loan at Tamworth, and midfielder Simon Heslop, 19, will stay there for another month. Meanwhile, Tykes defender Robert Atkinson and striker Nathan Joynes, both 21, will both spend a second month on loan at Halifax. Barnsley will have a 24-hour recall over Heslop, Atkinson and Joynes. The quartet have only made four substitute appearances between them for Barnsley's first team, although Heslop spent most of last season on loan at Kidderminster, while Atkinson spent time at Scarborough.

Barnsley try out Finnish striker
Barnsley are giving a trial to Finnish striker Ville Lehtinen. The 27-year-old was a prolific scorer during the last season in Finland, finding the net 21 times in 32 league and cup games for champions Tampere. Lehtinnen is expected to play for Barnsley's reserves against Port Vale next Monday. He had a previous spell in English football eight years ago with Barnsley's south Yorkshire neighbours Sheffield United.

Barnsley cool on Finnish striker
Barnsley will not be pursuing their interest in striker Ville Lehtinen, who has been on trial at Oakwell. The 27-year-old was a prolific scorer during the last season in Finland, finding the net 21 times in 32 league and cup games for champions Tampere. But Barnsley were unable to watch him in action as Monday's reserve team game against Port Vale was postponed. And caretaker manager Simon Davey told the club's website: \"We will not be taking things any further with Ville.\" Lehtinen had a spell in English football eight years ago with Barnsley's south Yorkshire neighbours Sheffield United.

Leicester v Barnsley
Leicester skipper Paddy McCarthy returns from suspension, but fellow defender Alan Maybury starts a ban. Midfielder James Wesolowski (leg) and defender Darren Kenton are pushing for selection after returning to training. Barnsley defender Paul Heckingbottom (dead leg) and winger Kyel Reid (virus) are expected to prove their fitness. Defender Anthony Kay is free from a groin injury and Colin Healy is available after returning from a loan spell at Bradford.

Reid extends Barnsley loan spell
Barnsley have been boosted by Kyel Reid's decision to extend his loan spell at Oakwell for another month. Left winger Reid, a product of West Ham's academy, joined the Tykes in November from the Hammers on an initial one-month loan. The 18-year-old has made four first-team appearances in his loan spell, scoring one goal. Reid was one of a quartet of loan signings made in November by boss Simon Davey soon after his appointment.

QPR 1 Barnsley 0
Martin Rowlands' 15th-minute strike ended QPR's run of five straight losses and gave them a four-point cushion over the Championship's bottom four teams. Rowlands cut inside Neil Austin and hit a shot that squirmed under Tykes keeper Nick Colgan and into the net. Barnsley's improved second-half form might have earned them a point but their finishing let them down. Rowlands, Lee Cook and Dexter Blackstock all had chances to double Rangers' lead in the later stages.

Barnsley 1-0 Burnley
Martin Devaney's incisive first-half finish helped push Barnsley five points clear of third-from-bottom Hull City. Devaney burst into the area to collect Daniel Nardiello's pass and fire past Brian Jensen on 30 minutes. Grant McCann had hit the woodwork for Barnsley on four minutes when his curler bounced back off the crossbar. Burnley had another escape when Sam Togwell's shot hit the post, though Wade Elliott's rattled the woodwork for the visitors with a second-half header. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Barnsley caretaker-boss Simon Davey: \"It was a tough game, we got the goal when we needed to. We were unlucky not to put more away. \"It was a hard-fought game and we deserved to win it. The commitment from the players was fantastic. \"It is always good when a player comes in and gives you a goal like that. I am pleased for goalscorer Martin Devaney.\" Burnley manager Steve Cotterill: \"In the second half we dominated the game and I felt we should have gone on and got something. \"But I have just admitted to the players for the first time that it looks like we miss Andy Gray. \"Andy is a big void for anyone to fill and we have missed him. Losing you main striker is a big problem.\" -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Barnsley: Colgan, Hassell, Atkinson, Kay, Austin (Heckingbottom 34), Devaney, Togwell, McCann, Kyle Reid, Hayes (Knight 87), Nardiello (Richards 87). Subs Not Used: Letheren, Williams. Booked: Kay. Goals: Devaney 30. Burnley: Jensen, Foster, Thomas, Duff, Harley (Hyde 76), Elliott, McCann, James O'Connor, Jones (Garreth O'Connor 83), Lafferty (Mahon 76), Noel-Williams. Subs Not Used: Branch, Spicer. Booked: Duff, Hyde. Att: 12,842. Ref: I Williamson (Berkshire).

Davey appointed boss of Barnsley
Barnsley have appointed caretaker manager Simon Davey as Andy Ritchie's successor with immediate effect. Ritchie was sacked in November, with the club second from bottom in the Championship table, but Davey has taken the Tykes out of the relegation zone. The 36-year-old stepped up from his previous position in charge of the club's academy. \"It's an absolute honour to be asked to manage a club of this stature,\" Davey told Barnsley's website. \"I have thoroughly enjoyed being in charge for the last month and I cannot wait to move things forward.\" Since taking the helm, Davey has won three and drawn two of his eight games in charge at Oakwell. Davey said he would conclude discussions with club chairman Gordon Shepherd about the terms and length of his deal in the next week. \"Now is the time for the whole club to pull together and unite in our aim of staying in the Championship,\" he added. \"The players have been tremendous over the last month and I'm sure that work ethic will remain. \"The board have been loyal to me and it's a tremendous honour to have the future of this club in my hands. \"Hopefully the decision will settle the players down a little as they know now they have to impress me on the training field and on the pitch if they are to get a place on the team.\" The Welshman had spells with Swansea, Carlisle, Preston and Darlington during his playing career. After retiring in 2000, Davey moved into coaching with Preston and took up his role with Barnsley's academy in the summer of 2006. But it was not long before he was asked to become caretaker manager following Ritchie's departure. \"The board are delighted to announce the appointment of Simon Davey,\" read a short statement on Barnsley's website. \"This decision will allow strengthening to commence promptly in the January transfer window.\"

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