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Controversy, stunning saves, disallowed goal and a late winner settles 2023 League One Playoff Final

Controversy, stunning saves, and a late winner settles the 2023 League One Playoff Final between Barnsley and Sheffield Wednesday.

Coming into this game, Barnsley defeated Bolton 2-1 on aggregate to secure place at Wembley while Sheffield Wednesday produced an astonishing comeback to beat Peterborough in semi-final.

Sheffield Wednesday finished in third place with 96 points from 46 games played, two behind second place Ipswich in the regular season. Barnsley placed fourth, 10 points less than the Owls.

Barnsley won both meetings during the regular season, but as we all saw in the second leg at Hillsborough, anything could happen.

Right, time to find out how the game played out…

8 minutes in and Williams failed to clear a cross from the right, his header coming out to Bannan, whose volley was then stopped by Thomas.

Isted then denied Iorfa after the ball had been headed down for him, but couldn’t get a proper connection with it a simple save for the keeper. Nervy start for Barnsley.

The Tykes’ first sight of goal came on 15 minutes, however Phillips fires over after nodding down in the box and couldn’t keep his effort down under pressure.

Then the game slowed down after James tried to send the ball across the face of the Barnsley goal with a cross from the left bit it lacked curl, with Isted saving it with ease.

42 minutes and Sheffield Wednesday struggled to show threat. Bannan sent a hopeful ball into the box but it floated over the head of Smith and Barnsley cleared.

Cole appealed for a foul by Iorfa 10 yards outside the Wednesday box. But the referee gave nothing with Iorfa thought to have got a touch on the ball.

The last action of the first half saw Barnsley go close as Tedic received the ball in the box but James was on to him quickly to take the ball away from him around the spot. Bannan then cleared. A scare for the Owls.

HALF TIME

Sky Sports’ Simeon Gholam at Wembley: “It has been a little tepid, so far. The stakes are so high so it’s not a surprise.

“Barnsley have a little more firepower off the bench, particularly in James Norwood – a man who is very familiar to scoring in a play-off final.

“We’ve already seen two play-off finals head to penalties this weekend. Who’d back against a third after what we’ve already seen here this afternoon?”

Ex-Reading midfielder Jobi McAnuff on Sky Sports: “Both teams are scared to give too much away. In terms of the occasion, you do not want to get yourself behind and have to chase the game.

“We’ve seen it across the whole weekend, tight, cagey, we know it’s going to be like that. It’s who is going to find that bit of quality to break the deadlock.”

The second half was thankfully more dramatic, it began with VAR looking at Gregory missing the ball and caught Kitching. In spite of that VAR says, it was decided not to be a penalty, a controversial call however.

Then on 50 minutes, Barnsley went down to 10 men. Referee Tim Robinson ultimately decided Phillips’ challenge was worthy of a red – commentators, Barnsley players and fans didn’t. VAR checked and upheld the decision.

Simeon Gholam at Wembley: “Phillips looks stunned. Duff looks perplexed. The Barnsley fans look aghast.

“He’s gone in a bit hard but that is very harsh for me. But no way it’ll be overturned.”

Sky Sports’ Don Goodman: “This is a huge moment. He doesn’t get the ball. Is that worthy of a red card? I’m not so sure.

“I think it’s a yellow card.”

Then the woodwork was struck on 54 minutes Barnsley came close as Kitching flicked Cadden’s long-range strike on to the frame of the goal, making a deflection the way towards goal.

Then Bannan made his way past his man and attempted to bend the ball into the top corner but his effort is just a fraction wide.

Cameron Dawson produced an outstanding save to keep James Norwood out, the latter having plenty to do just to get a shot off, and it was a cracker that has Dawson diving to palm it away.

After that, Wednesday sent in a low cross across the Barnsley box and Thomas sent the ball goal bound with a bad touch but Isted was there to keep it from going in.

Sky Sports’ Dan Long at Wembley: “James Norwood loves a play-off final. He was so close to another winner there…”

Sky Sports’ Don Goodman: “This is brilliant from the goalkeeper. Everybody in the ground was expecting Norwood to rifle this across the goal.

“Sheffield Wednesday haven’t utilised the extra man as well as they should have but give Barnsley credit for that.”

65 minutes and Barnsley were relieved again as a foul was given in their own area with Gregory challenging Thomas in the box.

Just under 10 minutes later and Norwood tried to surprise Dawson and came so close to putting Barnsley in front, being denied by the strong hand.

Despite a flurry of late chances, no side could find the goal, meaning the game went to extra time.

And just two minutes into that, Barnsley’s Andersen dropped back to stop Ihiekwe’s header from going in, right on the line.

96 minutes and Barnsley’s Bobby Thomas slid into Barry Bannan on the left and went into the book.

What a game these goalkeeper’s had, another incredible quick thinking save, this time Isted at almost point-blank range to stop Wednesday from scoring. Hard to believe it was still 0-0 by this point.

Right after that, Isted was there again, Bannan’s curling effort looked on its way for the bottom corner but Isted kept it out.

Barnsley went down the other end, looked through on goal, but Connell misses the target from close-range after the ball was comfortably laid to him.

The second half of extra time and Vaulks scored on of the best disallowed goals of all time at Wembley, a tremendous strike which Isted couldn’t stop.

But Wednesday were so thrilled with going ahead, celebrating with Vaulks doing cartwheels that it was a good 30 seconds before they realised the offside flag was up, correct decision too after being a yard off.

Sky Sports’ Don Goodman: “The assistant referee has to keep the flag down and let that phase of play run out. He’s a yard off.

“What a strike. It’s a reprieve for Barnsley.”

Ian Woodcock (BBC Sport at Wembley): “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen celebrations go on for so long before a team realise the goal isn’t going to stand.

“This game has had everything*.

“*Other than an actual goal.”

GOAL! Barnsley 0-1 Sheff Wed (Windass, 120+3)

Windass won it in extraordinary fashion. A great cross and powerful header from Windass. Isted couldn’t stop that. Cruel for Barnsley. Heartbreak at the death.

Sheffield Wednesday’s Josh Windass speaking to Sky Sports:

“Probably the worst standard of game you will ever watch. Standard from both teams was shocking.

“We worked all week on me playing off the front and trying to get to the edge of the box for cutbacks and thankfully it paid off.

“I heard their manager left our game against Peterborough because he said we were out. So unlucky.

“With five minutes to go I thought it was going to penalties. I was getting scared!

“I was just thinking on the pitch, ‘Try and do something’, but nothing was coming. Luckily last minute, Gregory’s done all the work and I just put it in.

“Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’d bad.

“People just think you are only in the game because of your old man who played. He [his Dad] needs to lose a few pounds then he’ll be alright [to play].”

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