Scunthorpe United v Hull

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Football League Championship

Scunthorpe United :
Murphy, Cork, Crosby, Butler, Youga, Forte, Sparrow, Williams (Paterson 55), Hurst, Logan, Hayes (Ameobi 76)
Subs not used:
Lillis, Baraclough, Taylor

Hull :
Myhill, Ricketts, Brown, Turner, Delaney, McPhee (Dawson 84), Ashbee, Marney, Hughes, Campbell (Folan 79), Windass (Garcia 67)
Subs not used:
Duke, Okocha

SULSESC REPORT

by Dave Pratt at Glanford Park

THE usual catch-all “on safety grounds” mantra meant a late Friday night, early Saturday morning start for the noon kick-off. Nigel’s 50th game in charge, five games without a win at home, the visitors on a roll of two wins on the trot, poor weather and local bragging rights at stake - all to play for then. Strange, therefore, that I can’t remember a local derby ever lacking in atmosphere as much as this one - on the pitch plenty of tasty challenges and passion; off it, a subdued, morose tone, welcome to GP Cemetery.

The first surprise of the day was to find top scorer Paterson on the bench, with Forte alongside Hayes up front. A comparison between the two benches also highlighted the gulf, in terms of spending capacity, of the two clubs.

Windass must love playing against Scunny, a hat-trick last time out for Bradford, and he should have had three here today. On three minutes his free kick from just outside the box was tipped over by Murphy. From the ensuing corner, a long-range shot from central defender Turner was only pushed back out by Murphy into the path of Windass, who drove it back past Murphy on his near post.

Murphy did well a couple of minutes later, turning a fierce drive from Campbell over the bar. Hayes then had a good chance, only denied by Myhill’s outstretched foot. City went two up on 16 minutes, when a poor clearance by Murphy was turned back into the box for the 38-year-old to head home.

Against a very strong wind, and driving rain, United attempted to come back, with both Youga and Crosby forcing good saves, but it was Marney who came closest, just before half-time, having taken the ball around Murphy, he knocked it wide, with Youga making sure that it ran harmlessly out for a goal kick.

Well into injury time, Hayes slotted a hopeful ball through, and the City defence seemed to stand still as Forte raced onto it and calmly slotted past Myhill.

The home side started the second-half the brighter, but again it was the visitors who came closest - Windass missing a wide-open goal from about three yards.

Paterson was brought on and Cork saw a good chance just flash over the bar.

When Windass was replaced, he was not a happy bunny, and had choice words for his manager. Folan missed a good chance to put the game out-of-reach on 84 minutes, but he dragged his shot well off target. The final chance of the game went to Paterson, who shot well wide from the edge of the area.

A disappointing result, and the grim weather meant that I didn’t even get home in daylight.

Now 17th in the table, Scunny have won 5, drawn 5 and lost 7, with 19 goals scored and 22 conceded, without a home win in six.

The wheels have not only started to come off, but we’re flying off the rails, with a broken mast.

Post script. This was Mr. Rennie’s first game of the season, following recuperation. I suggest that he seriously considers employing the services of a good solicitor with a view to suing his opthalmist, because, on today’s performance, the laser surgery on his eyes patently hasn’t worked.

And, for the record…

Possession : SUFC 54%. Pussy cats 46%.

Shots on target: SUFC 9 Pussy cats 7

Shots off target: SUFC 5 Pussy cats 5

Corners: SUFC 11 Pussy cats 6