SCUNTHORPE UNITED LONDON AND SOUTH EAST SUPPORTERS CLUB

Scunthorpe United v Brighton

Saturday, October 14, 2006

Football League One

Scunthorpe United1 (1)Brighton2 (1)

Sharp 43

Cox 23, Hart 52

Scunthorpe United :
Murphy, Hinds, Crosby, Foster (sent off 17), Williams (Mulligan 45), Taylor, Baraclough (MacKenzie 76), Sparrow, Morris (Torpey 61), Keogh, Sharp
Subs not used:
Lillis, McBreen

Brighton :
Henderson, Whing, Adam Hinshelwood, Butters, Mayo (Lynch 79), Hart, Fraser (Rents 88), Hammond, Cox, Revell, Williams (Robinson 45)
Subs not used:
Kuipers, Gatting

SULSESC REPORT

by Derek Wilmot at Glanford Park

OWN up all those who said after the game that they had earlier in the week forecasted such a result but never really believed it would or could happen.

With the Iron on a roll and the opposition languishing in the basement following five straight defeats, it was all set up for another three points that could have taken us to head the table. Bring it on!

Accompanied by my wife Anne (who only came for the lunch!) I set off from Abingdon early (why 9 o’clock? Must soak up the atmosphere was my reply) to join the other 20 members in the Executive Lounge of GP for pre-match hospitality as the club were sponsoring their second Scunny game.

Supremely confident of coming out on top today, so concentrated on banter with other ‘seniors’ who have spent their days trekking the country following our team pre-1960 happenings involving the likes of Barrie Thomas, Joe Bonson and ‘Dustbin’ Donnelly! Anne confined her thoughts to the vino.

On yet another spring-like day just perfect for flowing football, the game got under way with the opposition sitting deep and putting themselves about enthusiastically in order to frustrate but at this stage there was little concern because the Seagulls were only coming for scraps.

However, early into the game, a shambolic passage of play changed the pattern of the match. A routine aerial challenge by Steve Foster on the halfway line was harshly adjudged by an ineffective referee to have been malicious, resulting in a straight red. This prompted the incompetence of a woeful official (Mr. Deadman by name) to dominate most supporters’ thoughts for the remainder of the game.

With the crowd still discussing the incident and the Iron defence all at sea, the Seagulls had the audacity to take the lead with a header met approximately six inches off the ground by their five foot, four inch fledgling Cox.

Now frustrated and chasing the game, the Iron were being contained by a resolute defence but managed to go in level after a typical Billy Sharp opportunist effort just before the break.

Into the bar to chew the fat, with the general feeling being that we would go on to win. The other draw at half-time, the 50/50, did bring us a win of sorts – £200 for Karen, but the winner’s prize was proving to be elusive.

After a bit of tactical tinkering by the manager, which I personally couldn’t fathom, a reorganised United were behind again within a few minutes of the restart.

Even the introduction of my man Steve Torpey after about 60 minutes (much to Ian Tremayne’s disgust, I gathered) failed to bring about a change in fortune.

For the remainder of the match, a poor but committed Brighton, plus a pitiful referee, combined to thwart a United side that played with enthusiasm but little else.

The most discussion towards the end was generated by the choice of the sponsors’ MoM award – the only genuine contenders being Marcus Williams, who was withdrawn at half-time, and Joe Murphy. It was that sort of day.

Omens and coincidences are not my line. However, the last time we met Brighton, we were surprising 2-1 victors which brought about a steady rise up the table with the opposition going on to win promotion – a role reversal perhaps? Believe…onwards and upwards.