Barnsley had the better of the play through the first half. Barnsley played a simple game based on long, low passes into space combined with dribbling individual runs which Newcastle found difficult to counter. Barnsley scored 10 minutes before half time. Bartrop picked up a pass from the Barnsley backs and ran up the pitch, passed McWilliam and kicked the ball across the Newcastle goal mouth. Lillycrop rushing forward tried to score, but missed the ball. It appeared Barnsley had missed their chance, but Tufnell, the left inside forward, managed to get a toe to the ball and put it in the net. After half time Barnsley sat back and defended but it was not until the final 15 minutes that Newcastle were able to mount an effective attack. They abandoned what the "Guardian" correspondent characterised as their "clever" football and took on Barnsley by running at them. Shepherd had a goal disallowed apparently for offside.