Ipswich new boy Marcus Stewart marked his debut with a wonder goal that looked
worth the £2.5million splashed out to Huddersfield in midweek.
The striker beat off two defenders before walking the ball around Barnsley
keeper Kevin Miller as two goals in a minute handed Town three precious
promotion points at Oakwell.
Jamie Scowcroft had already hit a classy opener just seconds before Stewart
delighted his new fans to kill the game off in style.
It was a fair result after Ipswich dominated the majority of the first half
despite Barnsley's bright start.
Home striker Bruce Dyer looked in sparkling form early on forcing the first
corner of the game and making space for Nicky Eaden who fired his shot wide.
Ipswich duo John McGreal and Jim Magilton had to be on their toes to shepherd
the ball back to keeper Richard Wright before Dyer could pounce.
At the other end, Chris Morgan was alive to the threat of Spurs-linked David
Johnson and cleared promptly when called on.
The visitors were beginning to find their passing game and almost broke the
deadlock on 20 minutes.
Stewart forced keeper Miller to come out of his area to block as he attempted
to lift the ball over his head, it squirmed out to Johnson who turned it
instinctively goalwards but again Morgan was on hand to clear up.
Gary Croft tested Miller after cutting in from the right but his shot lacked
any sting.
Dyer and strike partner Neil Shipperley linked up well on a rare excursion
forward to feed Eaden then Wright but his dangerous centre was headed clear.
Magilton fired over the bar when perhaps a ball wide to the impressive Croft
was a better option but there were still no clear-cut chances of note.
As the half ebbed away Barnsley looked to have woken from their slumber and
they came out for the restart looking as though boss Dave Bassett had given them
a half-time talking to as both Shipperley and Dyer had chances.
As the tempo arose so did the volume as 17,601 fans found their voices.
Craig Hignett danced his way into the box before taking a one-two with Dyer
but the shot was blocked and Barnsley were looking good for a goal.
However, just like Ipswich in the first half, they could not make the
advantage pay and the inevitable sucker punch was to be swift and brutal.
Just before the hour, Scowcroft turned well on the right of the box and
blasted in an exquisite ball over Miller and into the top left-hand corner.
Before the Town fans had got back into their seats it was 2-0 as Stewart
repaid a huge chunk of his fee.
With the crowd silenced the travelling hordes almost had a third to celebrate
when Johnson put the ball past Miller but on-loan defender John Curtis cleared.
Miller saved well from Stewart as Ipswich cruised their way to the final
whistle and Croft was unlucky with a curling shot that just cleared the bar.
Barnsley tried hard to hit back but it was all in vain leaving Stewart to take
the plaudits and a standing ovation from fans and team-mates alike.
Teams
Barnsley: Miller, Curtis, Barker (Sheron 77), Chettle, Morgan,
Barnard, Eaden, Hignett, Van Der Laan (Thomas 65), Shipperley,Dyer (Appleby 65).
Subs Not Used: Hristov, Brown.
Ipswich: R. Wright, Croft, Clapham (Wilnis 80), Mowbray,
McGreal, Holland, Magilton, Brown, Scowcroft,Johnson (Naylor 87), Stewart.
Subs Not Used: Stockwell, Salmon, J. Wright.
Goals: Scowcroft 59, Stewart 60.
Att: 17,601
Ref: D Pugh (Bebington).
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