January 22, 2022, Barnsley FC faced Birmingham City at St Andrew's Stadium in a match that would be remembered for its intensity and pivotal moments.
The Build-Up
Barnsley entered the match rooted to the bottom of the Championship table, with just 14 points from 26 games. Their form had been dire, with only two wins in their last 22 league matches. New head coach Poya Asbaghi was under immense pressure, tasked with pulling off a miraculous escape from relegation in his first managerial role in English football.
Birmingham City, meanwhile, were also enduring a turbulent season. They sat in 18th place, far from safety but still nine points clear of the relegation zone. The club was dealing with off-field distractions, with protests from their fans against the club's owners reaching a boiling point.
The Match
Barnsley started brightly but were soon undone in the 34th minute. Onel Hernandez, making his home debut for Birmingham after joining on loan from Norwich City, opened the scoring with a composed finish. Picking up a pass from Lukas Jutkiewicz, Hernandez weaved through the Barnsley defense before slotting past Bradley Collins.
Barnsley struggled to create clear-cut chances despite their best efforts, with Callum Styles and Victor Adeboyejo coming close. Birmingham doubled their lead early in the second half when a corner from Ryan Woods caused chaos in the box, allowing Scott Hogan to scramble the ball over the line in the 50th minute.
Late in the game, Barnsley showed signs of life. In the 87th minute, Victor Adeboyejo pounced on a loose ball in the box, rifling it past Neil Etheridge to make it 2-1. The goal, Adeboyejo's third of the season, gave the traveling fans something to cheer about. However, their late rally fell short, and the match ended in defeat.
The Fallout
After the game, Poya Asbaghi expressed his frustration. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said:
"It's disappointing because we created more chances in this game than in others, but it’s about results. We have to turn good moments into wins, and today we didn’t."
The defeat left Barnsley seven points adrift of safety, deepening the sense of urgency surrounding their survival hopes. Birmingham, on the other hand, eased their relegation fears slightly, moving further clear of the bottom three.
Interesting Facts and Moments
- Fan Protests at St Andrew's: Birmingham fans staged a protest during the game, waving banners and walking out in the 14th and 77th minutes to voice their displeasure with the club's ownership. The atmosphere was tense, with the protests making national headlines.
- Onel Hernandez's Debut Impact: Hernandez, the star of the match, only joined Birmingham days before. His goal made him an instant fan favorite and a key figure for the Blues.
- Barnsley's Spirited Effort: Despite the loss, Barnsley showed glimpses of fight, creating more chances in this match than in most of their games under Asbaghi.
A Turning Point
The loss to Birmingham was emblematic of Barnsley's struggles during the 2021/22 season—flashes of promise but an inability to secure points. It served as a reminder of the fine margins in football, where missed chances and defensive lapses can make the difference.
Though the season ultimately ended in relegation for Barnsley, the events of January 22, 2022, remain part of the club's rich and storied history—a day of heartbreak, resilience, and lessons for players and fans alike.
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