"It was Twenty Years ago today!"
article published 18.09.2017, but first written in 1998 by Jonathan Adelman

FA CUP 4TH ROUND (REPLAY)
WEDNESDAY 4TH FEBRUARY, 1998
BARNSLEY 3(0) TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1(0)

Barnsley scorers:- Ward, 50
Redfearn, 58
Barnard, 88

Spurs scorer:- Ginola, 72

Attendance:- 18,220

Referee:- G.R.Ashby

Teams:-
Barnsley:- Watson; Eaden, Morgan, Bosancic, Moses, De Zeeuw, Hendrie, Redfearn, Ward, Bullock, Barnard

Spurs (4-4-2):- Baardsen; Carr, Vega, Campbell, Wilson (sub Howells, 53); Fox, Berti (sub Armstrong, 68), Clemence, Ginola; Klinsmann (sub Brady, 79), Ferdinand

Sent off:- Clemence (49) - Second yellow card for alleged simulation.

Phew - my exile is over!!! I read in one of the digests that Bruce wanted a match report on the Barnsley game so I will try and cobble one together below. I guess most of you will be sick of reading about that game but if you scroll to the end of my posting you might be amused/interested by my after match activities!!!

Barnsley 3 - Spurs 1 Spurs lined up with Baardsen in goal, a back four of Wilson, Campbell, Vega and Carr. The midfield consisted of Berti in a holding central role, Fox and Clemence mainly on the right and left respectively and Ginola floating with menace behind Ferdinand and Klinsmann.

Barnsley started brightly and forced fine saves from Baardsen early on. The Spurs weakness down the left was exposed continually with Wilson out of position on many occasions, the inexperienced Clemence struggled to cover for him as effectively as Sinton had done on Saturday against Derby.

Despite looking shaky at the back Spurs threatened Barnsley on a regular basis and with Ginola in magnificent form, Ferdinand, Klinsmann and Fox all should have made more of good chances. The first half was notable for the booking of Clemence for a fairly innocuous challenge on Redfearn whilst several 'tough' tackles from behind on Fox, Ginola and Ferdinand were ignored by referee Gerald Ashby.

The discontent with the referee was tangible amongst the two thousand Spurs fans gathered on the uncovered Kop behind Baardsen's goal. As the half time whistle blew most Spurs fans were happy with the first half showing where Spurs had looked well capable of securing a tie at Man Utd in the 5th round.

The second half began well for Spurs as they pressed forward looking to assert their superiority....... then it all went wrong. Clemence burst into the penalty area and went down sandwiched between two players - from where the masses of Spurs fans sat just 10 yards away the penalty decision was a formality - suddenly Ashby produced a second yellow card and the Spurs youngster had been sent off. The anger from the Spurs players was ferocious (Clemence had not even appealed for a penalty let alone made a meal of the challenge) Ferdinand in particular was incensed and from that point on played with the heart and desire that had been lacking from his previous performances.

Almost immediately Barnsley attacked the Spurs goal and went into the lead. Gross pulled off Wilson and replaced him with Howells. Spurs still looked the stronger team and with added ferocity went for Barnsley hammer and tong. Suddenly Campbell appeared on the edge of the Barnsley box; burst to the bye-line and flicked the ball over keeper Watson and with Fox Ferdinand and Klinsmann closing in a goal looked certain as the ball trickled along the line - Klinsmann appeared to be hauled back but Ashby ignored Spurs appeals and Barnsley raced up towards the Spurs goal where Baardsen pulled off a world class save but Redfearn turned in the rebound.

Spurs subbed Armstrong for Berti and after Klinsmann was stretchered off with a broken jaw, Brady came on. Spurs pulled a goal back with a great free kick by Ginola who had been clattered all over the pitch without any protection from the ref. In the closing moments Barnsley hit a third and Spurs trooped off distressed at Klinsmanns injury and incensed by poor refereeing.

So after a game of great disappointment we left the ground in poor mood - having got lost around the numerous roundabouts in Barnsley we saw a signpost to Barnsley General Hospital - naturally we decided to go and see if Jurgen was OK!!! Casualty was empty but as we were about to leave the Spurs Team coach arrived.

Clearly Ferdinand and Ginola were still angry over the referee and along with the rest of the squad they stayed on the coach. Gross got off and strode into the Hospital followed by Berti who despite Chris Hughton's assertion that he would not be allowed in pronounced that he 'was going to see Jurgen!'. Chris Hughton, smartly dressed, was the only one who stopped to say hello. For a full five minutes he chatted to us explaining that Jurgen would only be out for a few weeks (I wish I had a lap top - I could have mailed you all then to dispel the fears of a season's-long absence for our German hero).

We told CH that he should tell the players to carry on as they had played at Derby and we'd have no problems. We asked him to pass on our best to JK and we spoke to him about the Clemence sending off. CH said that even if he had gone down without a challenge it was stupid refereeing to send off a kid - he added that he was sure Clem would not have dived. He said they would have a big job to do to pick up the players for Saturday he said they were very down. To say I was impressed with CH would be an understatement he was polite and articulate and a credit to the club - I am left in no doubt that in time he will make a very fine manager certainly from a PR point of view.

Jonathan

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· Spurs 1 Barnsley 1, 24.01.98
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