Scunthorpe United v Leicester City

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Football League One

Scunthorpe United :
Murphy, Byrne, Iriekpen, Mirfin, Williams, Woolford, McCann (May 88), Sparrow (Pearce 89), Morris, Hayes, Hooper
Subs not used:
Lillis, Thompson, Wright

Leicester City :
Henderson, Edworthy (Hobbs 74), Tunchev, Morrison, Mattock (Powell 65), Oakley, Andy King, Berner, Dyer, Fryatt (Gradel 83), Campbell
Subs not used:
Martin, Hayles

OPPOSITION VIEW

FROM THE LEICESTER MERCURY

A wonder strike from Andy King blasted Leicester City back to the top of the League One table.

The goal, 10 minutes from the end after previous leaders Scunthorpe had pegged back Lloyd Dyer's first-half opener through their top scorer Paul Hayes, sent the Blue Army's 2,000-strong contingent wild with delight.

And it sent City back into pole position with a 2-1 win over a side who had emerged as their main rivals so far.

It was a thrilling, pulsating encounter which was evenly balanced going into the last 10 minutes.

Then a knock-down by DJ Campbell found Matty Fryatt and his lofted through ball sent King scampering away through the middle.

King checked past a chasing defender before dispatching a fine 20- yarder into the bottom right-hand corner of the net.

A draw would have kept the Iron on top with City third but, thanks to the Wales Under-21 international, City leapfrogged the opposition in style.

Deep into stoppage-time, the home side pushed forward and, with two corners in the last 30 seconds, were desperate to draw level.

But this was not another Swindon and City were not going to make that mistake again.

King deserved his big moment because, in a hard-working midfield, he battled well and, although the central defence also earned plaudits, his match-winning goal edged the star-man verdict just as it edged the destination of the points.

And, if anyone wondered how Fryatt would fare without his usual partner - Steve Howard - suffice to say his combination with Campbell led to the winner, and it was from Fryatt's pass that Dyer notched the opener.

Both sides started the game at a cracking pace.

The Iron were partly inspired by the feedback in the pages of this newspaper posted on their dressing-room wall by their assistant manager Ian Baraclough, an ex-City man who is still resident in Leicestershire.

But City more than held their own. Campbell, who got the nod up-front over Paul Dickov, looked lively, sometimes too lively because his eagerness caused a string of off-side decisions against him.

For all the home side's energy, though, the openings fell to City and Fryatt was denied by an early save from Joe Murphy.

At the other end, Hayes was a constant threat but well held for the most part.

So, when the breakthrough arrived in the 22nd minute, it was hardly against the run of play.

Matt Oakley found Fryatt who slotted through a perfect pass for Dyer to carry on to score with a clinical finish right in front of the travelling fans.

The Iron hit back, Hayes forcing a great save from Paul Henderson when clear on the left of the area.

He had seemed certain to level but the Aussie made a great block.

However, Hayes was not to be denied for long because, moments later on the right, he took a pass from Matt Sparrow and blasted in a low shot which went in off the far post in the 33rd minute.

City soon responded, King blasting over after a series of scrambles from a corner.

Campbell had a shot saved after fine work by Bruno Berner who cut in from the left.

After the break, both sides kept up the challenge.

A Michael Morrison header from a corner was blocked and, then as the game entered the closing stages, a glancing header from Jack Hobbs - who was on for Marc Edworthy - skidded a fraction wide of a post.

It looked as if this great game, befitting the two top sides in the table at the start, was going to end with honours even.

But King, and City, had other ideas.