Mansfield v Scunthorpe United

Monday, January 3, 2005

Football League Two

Mansfield :
Pilkington, Buxton, Baptiste, Dimech, Neil, Corden, Murray, McLachlan, Warne, Barker, Larkin (Brown 65)
Subs not used:
White, Lloyd, Maxwell, Kitamirike

Scunthorpe United :
Musselwhite, Sharp, Jackson, Byrne, Ridley, Beagrie, Baraclough, Kell, Sparrow (Taylor 60), Rankine, Hayes (Parton 74)
Subs not used:
Williams, Barwick, Evans

SULSESC REPORT

by Jon Dunn at Field Mill

I will have to admit to not writing this report until after the Chelsea game, so my true feelings about the result and performance may be less vociferous than they would have been had I diligently written this on getting home from Field Mill.

Anyway, having failed to locate the pub to rendezvous with other SULSESC members, I made my way to the ground to find a sizeable contingent already in the away end – and Mel keeping everyone warm with free cups of coffee from a seemingly bottomless flask!

Rumours about the team were rife with Crosby, Stanton and Teggart listed as those not taking part, indeed Teggart was supposed to have returned to Sunderland. With Butler and Torpey suspended, what team would we put out?

The changes made included Sharp and Jackson at the back and Scunny took their time getting used to the changes with Mansfield looking much the brighter side whilst the Iron seemed to continue where they had left off against Notts County.

On 18 minutes, Mansfield took the lead when Adam Murray’s long range shot seemed to move and beat Mussy. Having since seen the goal on TV, Mussy should maybe have done better.

We huffed and puffed but did not really threaten the Mansfield goal except for one Rankine chance which he scuffed and one Hayes turn and shot. Perhaps understandably, some of the 1000+ Scunny fans began to vent their anger against some of the players.

The second-half was nearly all Scunny as we pushed forward, creating a number of good chances but never really looking like scoring. Mansfield always looked dangerous on the break, indeed if it had not been for some heroics from Mussy in the last few minutes the result could have been much worse as Mansfield had three great chances as Scunny pushed forward.

I still have to question some of Mr. Laws’ tactics, and removing Sparrow yet again for Cleveland, when there were far more obvious candidates on the pitch not doing anything, caused me to leave my seat and vent my frustration.

So that nice cushion we had has gone and we have been knocked off top spot. Lets hope the ‘blip’ is because of the Chelsea factor and is shortlived, otherwise we could soon find ourselves outside the automatic places.