Ten-man Barnsley hold Oxford 1–1 as Stendel says he is ‘really proud’ of the fight
Sunday 1 November 2026 · By Harvey Dunnicliffe
Barnsley drew 1–1 with Oxford United at Oakwell on Saturday 31 October after playing for more than 80 minutes with ten men. The BBC table, last updated at 01:25 GMT on Sunday, has Daniel Stendel’s side 23rd on nine points from 12 games, two points behind 20th-placed Blackpool, who have 11 from 11 games and play Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday afternoon. Barnsley are level on nine points with Bromley. League One’s top two go up automatically, third to sixth go into the play-offs and the bottom four go down.
Jack Shepherd was sent off after nine minutes for a tackle on Oxford’s Louie Sibley. Barnsley still went in front on 32 minutes, when Yoganathan scored from an Okedina assist, before Mark Harris equalised for Oxford on 60 minutes. Oxford goalkeeper Jamie Cumming was then sent off on 88 minutes for a challenge on Rylan Brownlie. The referee was Oliver Mackey, and the attendance was 9,415.
Stendel said in a BBC caption that he was “really proud”. He told the Yorkshire Post: “I’m really proud and I have to say thanks for this fight,” and added: “It was big memories from my last time today.” He described it as “again a big hit early in the game against us”. On Shepherd’s red card he said: “maybe we appeal, maybe not”. We have not seen a decision on any appeal, or the length of the suspension.
Reyes Cleary was taken off in the second half. Stendel said: “He feels a little bit tired, and he has also some cramps.”
The draw ended a run of four straight defeats. The BBC form guide reads D L L L L D, so Barnsley have not won in six. They have won two, drawn three and lost seven of their 12 league games, scoring 12 goals and conceding 22, a goal difference of minus 10.
Off the field, the BBC reported on 24 October the death of Barnsley legend Barry “Spud” Murphy, and that chief executive Jon Flatman is leaving for Cardiff Rugby in January.
The next game is the FA Cup first round, at home to Aldershot Town on Saturday 7 November at 15:00 GMT. Barnsley host Oldham Athletic in the Jersey Mike’s Trophy on Tuesday 10 November at 19:00.
In the league, they visit Wigan Athletic on Saturday 14 November at 15:00, host Sheffield Wednesday on Friday 20 November at 20:00 and visit Bradford City on Tuesday 24 November at 19:45. They travel to AFC Wimbledon on Saturday 28 November at 15:00 and host Wycombe Wanderers on Tuesday 1 December at 19:45. A postponed home game with MK Dons now has a date, Tuesday 15 December at 19:45. Oxford, who also finished with ten men, remain third on 23 points.
Oakwell has been home to Barnsley Football Club since 1888. For visiting supporters it is a compact, old-fashioned English ground: four stands tight to the pitch, floodlight pylons on the corners, and the away allocation in a single covered end. The official address is Grove Street, Barnsley, S71 1ET. Capacity is listed at 23,287, though parts of the historic West Stand have been closed at times for safety work.
Away fans are housed in the North Stand, also known as the Barry Murphy Stand. It is a large, covered, single-tier bowl built in 1999. Typical allocations are around 2,000 seats on the west side of that stand, expanding towards 4,500 when demand is high. Views are generally good and there are few pillars. Wheelchair bays for visitors sit on a raised platform in this stand, with accessible toilets on the away concourse. Catering is inside the same concourse.
The opposite goal is the South Stand — the Norman Rimmington Stand, still called the Pontefract Road End or Ponty End by home fans. That is the noisy home end. The East Stand, completed in 1993, is the biggest structure: two tiers, executive boxes, the Family Zone in the upper tier, and the main camera gantry. Opposite it, the West Stand is the only original part of the ground. Its upper tier is covered; the lower tier is open to the weather. Dugouts sit in front of the West Stand.
On the diagram above, north is at the top. The white goals sit immediately in front of the North Stand (away) and the South Stand (Ponty End). The pitch measures 110 by 75 yards, so the plan is drawn longer north–south than east–west. The East Stand is shown deeper than the West Stand because it is the larger, two-tier structure.
Barnsley Interchange is about a 10–15 minute walk. Leave the station away from the town centre, pass under the dual carriageway and follow the signs downhill towards Grove Street. By car, leave the M1 at junction 37 and take the A628; the ground is signed. Visiting supporters should use Queens Ground car park (S71 1AN): £5 for cars, £10 for minibuses, £20 for coaches, cash or card on the day and not usually pre-bookable. Vehicles are asked to stay put for at least ten minutes after the final whistle. On-site parking at S71 1ET is mainly for home and permit holders.
Pre-booked away tickets can be collected from main reception in the South Stand, often from 2pm. The Reds Superstore and box office are in the same building. Dedicated away turnstiles sit next to the North Stand and are clearly signed. Stewards expect ground regulations to be followed; standing in seated areas and items on the prohibited list will be dealt with promptly.
Pubs near the ground and in the town centre generally welcome away fans if you arrive early and keep colours low-key until you are in the designated end. Food inside the North Stand is standard football fare. If you have accessibility questions, contact the club box office on 01226 211183 or [email protected] before you travel. Check Barnsley FC’s official site for the latest allocation, kick-off and any West Stand restrictions on the day you visit.