Scunthorpe United v Preston North End

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Football League Championship

Scunthorpe United :
Murphy, Williams, Jones, Mirfin, Spence, Togwell (Sparrow 88), McCann, O'Connor (Byrne 89), J.Wright, Hayes, Hooper.
Subs not used:
Slocombe, Canavan, Thompson, Woolford, Forte.

Preston North End :
Lonergan, Mawene, Chilvers, Jones, Nolan, Chaplow, Sedgwick (Carter 76), Shumulikoski, Wallace (Brown 66), Parkin (Mellor 72), Elliott.
Subs not used:
Henderson, Hart, Collins.

SULSESC REPORT

by Martyn Girdham at Glanford Park

Now I class myself as a realist (most would say pessimist) when it comes to Scunny but credit where credit's due,

this performance (first-half at least) was as good as it gets. Lining up with no wingers, but four central midfielders, United proceeded to tear Preston to shreds down the wings! It sounds crazy but Hayes and Hooper ran the channels and caused havoc in the North End rearguard. It was no surprise when, from one of Hoops' diagonal runs, he set up McCann for a relatively simple finish.

With O'Connor and Josh Wright pulling the strings, assisted by Toggers, the Iron ripped into a shellshocked Preston at a high tempo.

As half-time approached, we really needed the second goal our performance had merited. It duly arrived shortly after Hoops had seen an effort cleared from the line, when in the aftermath of Preston's struggle to get the ball away, a far post opening saw the recalled striker bundle it over the line. The standing ovation as the players left the field was something to behold.

Right then, let's take a deep breath and watch PNE hit us in the second-half.

After a brief spell when they threatened to do just that, O'Connor intercepted a crossfield pass and instantly released Hoops for a run on the Donny Road end goal. He arrowed it past the 'keeper and United were three up.

It would now take a comeback of Northampton proportions to get the Lancastrians any reward and after the Beast himself (Jon Parkin) pulled one back, the Iron sat deep and almost encouraged the inevitable. The back four held firm, however, and Hoops should have made it four when he failed to finish a one-on-one with the 'keeper for the second time in the game.

Hayes and Hooper had run their hearts out and my only complaint was that Adkins did not replace at least one of them with Forte or Woolford. This was not a night for moaning, though, and we should savour the four-day, seven-goal blast which has shellshocked us disbelieving Scunny fans.

I should add that Preston picked up bookings as they showed the Championship trademark, physical and nasty tackles. Perhaps we really are good enough for this division? Hang on a minute though, the previously unbeaten Lilywhites manager Alan Irvine says North End did not turn up, did not compete, the ref missed a foul on our second goal, worst display of the season, etc. He must be right as Warnock said virtually the same things on Saturday after our royal show at the Palace.

There we are then, seven lucky goals, no credit to little old Scunny or their third rate players. Hmm - over-achieving low wage players at a little upstart club, putting seven over their overpaid, comfortable Championship rivals? They don't seem to like it up 'em, do they? Not good for PR, is it? Got to explain the totally unexpected defeat to their own disgusted supporters, haven't they?

Here's to another 12 or so repeat performances in the 39 games that remain. Now that would see us safe. Mind, we said the same a couple of years back and a winter slump set in. This time maybe, just maybe, it could be different. Believe!