SCUNTHORPE UNITED LONDON AND SOUTH EAST SUPPORTERS CLUB

Scunthorpe United v Barnsley

Saturday, January 2, 2010

F.A. Cup

Scunthorpe United1(0)Barnsley0(0)

Hayes 68

Scunthorpe United :
Lillis, Williams, Byrne, Jones (Milne 46), Mirfin, Togwell, Thompson, Woolford (Sparrow 89), J.Wright, Hayes, Forte.
Subs not used:
Slocombe, Coleman, Crosby, O'Connor, May.

Barnsley :
Steele, Hassell, Foster, Butterfield (Hammill 75), Dickinson, Shotton, Colace, Hallfredsson, De Silva (Campbell-Ryce 57), Bogdanovic, Gray (Macken 76).
Subs not used:
Preece, Kozluk, Moore, Hume.

SULSESC REPORT

by Sheffield Star at Glanford Park

FORMER Barnsley hitman Paul Hayes dumped his old club out of the FA Cup at a bitterly cold Glanford Park.

This was a big disappointment for the Reds who suffered their second successive first-hurdle exit in the competition after going into the game in excellent form.

Mark Robins' resurgent outfit were on a run of eight matches unbeaten, but against a Scunthorpe side who had won only once in their last 11 games they let themselves down with a poor second-half showing.

It was a point not lost on Robins, who was clearly frustrated after the match.

The Reds boss said: "I'm very disappointed. We'd said before the game that we'd really like a good cup run again this year, but it wasn't to be, I suppose.

"We've been on a good run of late, but we didn't really get started at all today.

"It's got to be better. We dropped below our recent standards and in the end we got what we deserved.

"Some of the players were well off the pace, and the only positive thing I can say at this point is that at least we've just got the league to concentrate on now."

Robins went on: "We wanted to proceed, of course, but maybe there was some misguided over-confidence out there.

"If there was, we've certainly had a kick in the teeth following that performance. There are no second chances in this competition don't forget. We should have won this game comfortably, but we dropped below expectations and we didn't work hard enough.

"That was the difference between the two sides."

Considering some of the nightmare weather elsewhere in the north on Saturday, it was good to see a Glanford Park pitch and stadium in near-perfect condition ahead of the game.

Robins opted to make three changes to his starting line-up, despite a brilliant comeback victory against Middlesbrough at Oakwell last time out.

Jacob Butterfield was rewarded for a splendid second-half showing in that game as he came in to replace Adam Hammill in midfield, while loan players Carl Dickinson and Ryan Shotton, not unexpectedly, came back in at the back now they are both eligible again. Rob Kozluk and Darren Moore dropped to the bench.

The hosts saw boss Nigel Adkins make four changes following a disappointing home defeat last time out on December 28 against West Brom.

Iron hot-shot Gary Hooper failed to make even the 16 as he had been laid low with a virus.

It was a goalless, yet entertaining first half, with both sides creating plenty of chances as the Reds were roared on by an almost 3,000-strong noisy travelling army.

There was a test for Luke Steele in the first minute as he had to be alert to keep out a powerful Jonathan Forte drive.

Anderson de Silva saw a shot deflected wide and midway through the opening half Maltese striker Daniel Bogdanovic fluffed a great opportunity.

He planted a free header over the top following Butterfield's excellent cross in from the right.

Martyn Wollford volleyed just over for the Iron, then there was a scare for the Reds when Garry Thompson pounced on a poor Steele clearance kick.

However, the Barnsley stopper somehow slid in to save the day as an open goal almost beckoned.

The Reds closed the first half strongly as Bogdanovic forced Josh Lillis into a smart save, then Emil Hallfredsson's fierce low drive was superbly beaten away by the hosts' busy keeper.

There were fewer chances in the second period for the Reds, who looked to have run out of steam a little.

Hugo Colace saw a shot saved, then Butterfield pinged in a shot from 25 yards which flew narrowly wide.

The killer goal came in the 68th minute, and it was a simple effort.

Forte crossed in low from the right and as the ball made its way towards the far post there was Hayes who pounced with a clinical finish from 12 yards for his seventh goal of the season.

Bogdanovic fired wide and even Steele got in a header which flew well over the top in stoppage time, but Barnsley hadn't really done enough on the day and got probably what they deserved.

Adkins said: "That's a great way to start a new year, a new decade. It puts everyone in a positive frame of mind.

"I was pleased with the performance. Barnsley have been on a good run of late, but our home record is formidable this season so I was always confident.

"We created some great opportunities throughout the game, but particularly I was pleased with our second-half performance.

"We've got only a small squad here, and that's the way it will remain, but there is great character and spirit in the camp. That was clear for all to see today.

"I am determined to maintain that camerarderie and spirit right to the end of the season."

So the Iron move into the last 32 of the FA Cup, and Adkins was clear when asked who he wanted to be paired with in the fourth round draw.

"I've always wanted Liverpool," he revealed. "I've never made a secret of that as they are my team."