Scunthorpe United v Oxford

Friday, March 25, 2005

Football League Two

Scunthorpe United :
Musselwhite, Angus (Byrne 75), Crosby, Hinds, Ridley, Sparrow (Taylor 63), Kell, Baraclough, Beagrie, Torpey, Keogh (Hayes 63)
Subs not used:
Evans, Corden

Oxford :
Tardif, MacKay, Roget, Ashton, Robinson, Hackett (Molyneaux 83), Quinn, Cominelli (Wanless 56), Bradbury, Mooney, Basham
Subs not used:
Cox, Raponi, Diaz

SULSESC REPORT

by Bob Dook at Glanford Park

IT is interesting how individuals see games differently. Many of the reports I've read on this match don't share my view at all.

Some even empathize with Oxford's disappointment at dropping points. Well, yes, I can understand being disappointed at not winning, but I say that they should be thankful to go home for the Easter weekend with a point. For me, this was a 1-1 hammering. And we were doing the hammering.

Quite how Oxford survived the opening half-an-hour, only Tardif in goal will know. He produced some exceptional saves, a Beagrie shot and an overhead kick from Torpey of particular note.

The Iron had dominated this opening spell with a brand of passing football and penetrative movement that I cannot remember last seeing. Maybe it was because the pitch has been watered close to kick-off, creating that slick top that most footballers prefer to pass the ball around on. Maybe it was because it was a night game in front of a big supportive crowd. Whatever it was, we saw the Iron in full flight.

At the half-hour mark, Oxford had their first real shot of any kind. Mooney arrived at the edge of the box with the ball, and Crosby in close attendance. Mooney pushed the ball wide, created a yard of space and cracked one into the net, leaving Musselwhite unsettled as the ball took a deflection off Crosby. A wonderful strike from a wonderful player. I've always had a lot of time for Mooney and would have liked to see him in an Iron shirt. Too late now, I fear.

Lawsy said that Crosby might have been too tight on Mooney and then backed off him. I saw it the other way around, Crosby gave him too much space and should have been all over him, like a rash. Players of Mooney's quality shouldn't be allowed any space at all when on the ball, particularly in a potential shooting position.

After that setback, we returned to the Iron being camped in the opposition's half, but unfortunately unable to convert any of the chances they created.

At the half-time whistle, again I witnessed something that doesn't come around very often. The Iron were applauded off at 0-1 down. It wasn't just a polite, bad luck type of applause either, this was full of gusto and one that signalled that we had just watched something special.

The second half was more of an even affair and in truth Oxford should have scored again, but they didn't deserve anything from this game.

The Iron dominated this period too, particularly after the lightweight Keogh had been removed. Clever footballer, no doubt, but he needs strengthening up this summer. It looked as if we were not going to score, but in the last minute we equalised. Another Beagrie cross, but this time it went through a crowd of players and was met at the far post by Baraclough who fired home. The clock showed 23 seconds remaining.

All told, an enjoyable game, hope that we are back playing football and the belief that we can push on and gain promotion. If we can win our home games, we are likely to go up. Picking up any additional points away from home can only help the position.