Amani Richards scored as Barnsley edged past Blackpool 2-1, and the forward was in no mood to dwell on personal milestones when he spoke to BBC Radio Sheffield afterwards. "The most important thing was the win," he said, with the sort of bluntness that tends to go down well in South Yorkshire.

A tight affair settled in Barnsley's favour

The result keeps Barnsley ticking over in League One and continues what has been a purposeful start to the campaign under Thomas Stendel. Blackpool, managed by Ian Evatt, had their moments and made it uncomfortable enough that the scoreline looked precarious until the final whistle, but Barnsley held firm to claim all three points.

Richards's goal was the decisive contribution. The details of how and when it arrived are the sort of thing supporters will chew over in the car park on the way home, but the broader picture is straightforward: Barnsley defended their lead, saw the game out, and took the points. For a squad that Stendel has publicly urged patience over during a busy recruitment period this summer, a grinding win of this kind can sometimes tell you more about a group than a comfortable four-goal afternoon.

What it means for both clubs

For Barnsley, a home victory over a recognisable third-tier rival carries a particular weight early in the season. The Reds have added several new faces in recent weeks, including Ben Hamed Toure up front and Larkeche on loan from QPR, so seeing a striker contribute directly to a win is exactly the kind of return those signings are supposed to bring.

Blackpool, meanwhile, find themselves reflecting on a second defeat in recent weeks after a run that had shown some promise. Evatt has been open in his frustrations when he feels his side have not converted what they have created, and on the evidence of recent post-match briefings he will not be holding back in the days that follow. The Seasiders lost Kouassi to Colchester in the transfer window and Evatt has already pointed to personnel losses costing his side in close games, so the conversation about squad depth will continue at Bloomfield Road.

Richards keeps his feet on the ground

There is something refreshingly undramatic about a goalscorer whose first instinct is to talk about the collective rather than himself. Richards's comment, brief as it was, is in keeping with the tone Stendel has tried to set at Oakwell this season: a focus on structure, patience, and not getting carried away. The manager urged exactly that patience in public only a fortnight ago, when pressed about the club's transfer business.

Whether Richards goes on to be a consistent source of goals in the third tier remains to be seen. One strike and three points is a solid enough opening chapter, and in a division where margins are slim and form can shift in a fortnight, Barnsley will be glad to bank it without ceremony.

The 2-1 result moves Barnsley further into what is shaping up to be a competitive League One season, while Blackpool must regroup quickly. Both clubs have enough quality and ambition to be involved further up the table before the campaign is out, but for now the points go to South Yorkshire, and Amani Richards is happy enough about that.

Frequently asked

What was the score in the Barnsley vs Blackpool match?
Barnsley beat Blackpool 2-1 in a League One fixture, with Amani Richards among the goalscorers for the home side.
Who scored for Barnsley against Blackpool?
Amani Richards got on the scoresheet for Barnsley in their 2-1 victory over Blackpool.
Where does the Barnsley win over Blackpool leave them in League One?
The three points bolster Barnsley's position in the League One table and continue a positive run under manager Thomas Stendel.