Scunthorpe United v Hartlepool

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Football League Trophy

Scunthorpe United :
Evans, Sparrow, Crosby, Byrne, Ridley, Parton (Taylor 54), Corden, Richie Ryan (Baraclough 55), Johnson, Butler, Till
Subs not used:
Musselwhite, Hinds, Williams

Hartlepool :
Konstantopoulos, Craddock, Brackstone, Neill Collins, Jones (Maidens 84), Llewellyn (Istead 70), Tinkler (Clark 69(sent off 90)), Sweeney, Butler, Bullock, Eifion Williams
Subs not used:
Provett, Foley

SULSESC REPORT

by Chris Pettitt at Glanford Park

YOU always get the feeling that in these early rounds of the LDV Vans, we'll try and get through the first couple of rounds while giving a few of the fringe players a game to keep them happy.

Then, if we get through, we'll take the competition seriously; if we don't, never mind, the league's more important.

And so it proved with Tommy Johnson making his first team debut alongside Andy Parton. Andy Butler was given another run-out to try and get him some much needed match fitness, and hopefully a bit of form, and even Tommy Evans got a start in goal.

To be fair, I wasn't expecting a very good game, but in fact it turned out to be highly entertaining. Scunny didn't play particularly well and were lucky to come in at half-time still equal as Hartlepool dominated. They hit the woodwork twice, had a shot cleared off the line and forced a fine save by Tommy low down to his right, which kept us in the game.

The only notable chance for the Iron was a point blank effort from Sparrow that went straight at the 'keeper.

The second-half was much better from the Iron, Johnson being the key. I lost count of the number of balls that were played to his feet and he sprayed them wide to either Corden or Till.

The dreaded extra-time and penalties were looming when we got a penalty with less than 10 minutes to go. Up strolled Crozzer to but it beyond the keeper's despairing dive…1-0 Iron.

Hartlepool were then reduced to 10 men after a late challenge on Sparrow left him clutching his ankle.

That was it, goalmouth action, shots cleared off the line, a penalty and a sending off. Can't wait for Hereford away in the next round (Good guess, but you were a round too early - Ed., with the benefit of hindsight!).