Scunthorpe United v Alfreton Town

Saturday, November 29, 2008

FA Cup

Scunthorpe United :
Murphy, Byrne, Mirfin, Pearce, Williams, Sparrow, Togwell, McCann (Morris 66), Woolford (Hurst 81), Hayes (May 10), Hooper
Subs not used:
Lillis, Crosby, Thompson, Wright

Alfreton Town :
Evans, McFadzean, Butler, McIntosh, Brown (Marples 33), Hall, Bowler (Davidson 60), Curtis, Law, Clayton (sent off 48), Muirhead (Cusworth 77)
Subs not used:
Sutcliffe, Ellender, Mayman, Fortune-West

OPPOSITION VIEW

FROM THE MANSFIELD CHAD

BRAVE hearts alone were not enough to take into Alfreton's biggest ever game in the Glanford Park fog, as the Reds' best ever FA Cup run was brought to an emphatic end by League One high fliers Scunthorpe. Roared on by 804 fans in a 4,249 crowd, Alfreton contained their hosts to 1-0 at the interval.

But the turning point came two minutes into the second-half when Paul Clayton, the hero of the first round win over Bury Town, was dubbed the villain by referee Chris Sarginson, leaving the Reds to play out virtually the whole of the second-half with 10 men. It was the second flash point of the match, after Paul Hayes was stretchered off with a spinal injury in only the 10th minute after falling awkwardly following a 50-50 challenge with Kyle McFadzean, who was somewhat harshly booed by the home fans every time he touched the ball thereafter. Of course, after Clayton's dismissal, Alfreton's task was too big, and they spent the greater part of the half in a backs to the wall rearguard action, and conceded three more goals, albeit two of them late on, while Iron keeper Joe Murphy never had a worthwhile shot to save. A fog-shrouded ground made it difficult to see the Clayton incident, but Alfreton fans behind the goal who did witness it insisted that home skipper Cliff Byrne had made a meal of his fall after minimal contact. However, Mr. Sargison was sufficiently impressed to produce the red card, and that was effectively game over as a contest. "We always knew it was going to be a tough call coming here," admitted manager Nicky Law afterwards. "Scunthorpe are a very good side who pass the ball well. I don't think there was any way we could have matched them shape-wise so we had to go the way we did, and for a time we frustrated them. "But the first goal was a poor one to concede and we let in two more from corners - at the level we are playing at, this should not happen. "After the first goal it was always going to be difficult to come back but we've given it a go and been great, our brilliant supporters have come and enjoyed it, they have got behind us and sung their hearts out from start to finish regardless of the scoreline, so a big thank you to them from the players, but now we move on and get on with our league campaign." Law was as mystified as the occupants of the press area about the dismissal of Clayton.

"It was a difficult one because the linesman on our side of the field said he couldn't see from where he was - although he could see the offsides. But I really couldn't see what happened, the lad was laid on the floor. "I know Paul Clayton and I know what he's like, and I can't see how he has done anything. It seems it was nothing more than a little collision and something's been made of it, but I'm not going down that road because it was impossible to see. "As for the injury to Paul Hayes, the ball was there for both of them to go for, they have, and unfortunately Paul has come out the wrong side of it. All our thoughts go to Paul and we hope he will soon be okay." Law's decision to go with only one out and out striker was something of a surprise given the four-goals-a-game record over the previous three. In effect, it looked a 4-3-2-1 shape with wide men Ben Muirhead and Josh Law pushing further on than the central midfield. McFadzean was preferred at right back to cope with the threat of Martin Woolford who, despite a sturdy performance by the defender, was named man of the match. Alfreton made a bright start and won a corner inside the first minute following a strong forward run by Anton Brown who took a bit of a knock as he fed the ball to Clayton.

Murphy collected that confidentally and lauched the ball upfield for Gary Hoper to chase, and former Iron keeper Tom Evans had to be off his line smartly to smother the ball at the striker's feet. As the home side began to establish the authority expected of a side at the top of a division three steps above, Sam Togwell flashed a strong effort wide.

But Alfreton were on the attack and forward Hayes digging out in defence when the clash with McFadzean ended in the tragic sight of the stretcher being called for. Ben May came on in Hayes' place, and although Alfreton continued to make it a compelling contest it was the substitute who finally broke the deadlock in the 29th minute.

Evans, given a hero's welcome by his old fans at the start, showed he had lost none of his ability from his time at Glanford Park with an excellent tip aside for a corner to keep out Grant McCann's 20-yard effort from a free kick.

But the corner was not well defended, and the keeper could only parry McCann's vicious rising drive upwards. He was off balance as the ball came down, and May nipped in to head into the empty net. Brown, who had been struggling a little from his early knock, made way for Simon Marples four minutes later, and when the substitute sliced an attempted clearance shortly afterwards McCann picked up the loose ball and went close with a fizzing drive. Evans came to the Reds' rescue again in stoppage time at the end of the half, diving to parry a goalbound long range howitzer from Krystian Pearce. But there was a glimmer of hope of an equaliser just before the interval whistle. Martin McIntosh made a strong forward run and threaded the ball through to Josh Law who played it into the danger zone where Byrne headed for a corner, which was scrambled away. The hill facing Alfreton became a mountain two minutes into the restart when a disturbance over on the far side of the field from the press area ended with Clayton emerging from the gloom and walking towards the dressing room. Muirhead was pushed forward to fill the front berth.

But from then on there was never going to be any way back. The 'Reds' - playing in their yellow away kit - were asked to soak up intense pressure and defend countless corners as the League One giants sought to establish the difference between their status and that of Law's men. May sent a shot on the turn from the edge of the box over the bar, and Evans distinguished himself again by tipping over Matt Sparrow's rising drive. But the defences were breached again in the 62nd minute. Hooper burst through into the right of the area, drew and beat Evans, and McFadzean was grateful to be able to drop back and turn it for a corner. Once again there were questions over Town's defending of the flag kick, and Hooper was on hand to give Scunthorpe an 'Iron' grip on the tie. Marples did well to get a foot in and hold up Pearce's goalwards run and this time the corner ended with Hooper flicking the ball against the post. It would not have counted though for the offside flag was raised. Marples was thanking his lucky stars and his goalkeeper shortly afterwards when he almost turned Marcus Williams' cross into his own goal. Fortunately Evans was able to get across smartly and keep it out. As Alfreton rode their luck further, Byrne smacked an effort onto the bar and then hit the rebound over. Then after McIntosh had done well to win the ball he foolishly backheeled in his own area to let in Woolford whose attempt went for yet another flag kick. Danny Davidson had replaced Kris Bowler on the hour, and with 13 minutes remaining Brian Cusworth was sent on to give two recognised strikers the chance to claw something back from the tie. But two minutes later the home side had a third goal ruled out when Pearce, who had netted, was ruled offside. Murphy was finally asked to make a save in the 82nd minute from Cusworth's header, but a minute later there was another goal at the other end. Hooper beat the offside trap with his well timed run to advance and finish clinically past the exposed Evans. Jordan Hall almost got a consolation goal after robbing Sparrow, only to send his angled low drive just past the far post. As the game entered stoppage time Evans pulled off another sprawling save to keep out May's 20-yarder, but he was beaten for a fourth time when Togwell drove the ball low through a crowded area and past the unsighted Evans - from one more corner. Alfreton were a well beaten side, but their army of fans never gave up backing their side, and Reds' man of the match Evans left the field to 'there's only one Tommy Evans' from his generous old admirers.