Barnsley v Scunthorpe United

Saturday, December 10, 2005

Football League One

Barnsley :
Flinders, Hassell (Tonge 69), Reid, Kay, Austin (Williams 81), Shuker, Burns, Howard, Devaney, Hayes, Richards (Jarman 75)
Subs not used:
Scarsella, Wroe

Scunthorpe United :
Evans, Byrne, Crosby (Baraclough 45), Butler, Hinds, Williams, Till (Taylor 45), MacKenzie, Beagrie, Keogh, Sharp (Johnson 71)
Subs not used:
Goodwin, Musselwhite

SULSESC REPORT

by Neil Holland at Oakwell

COMING off the back of four league defeats, it was important that United looked to get something from the match against Barnsley - a game with added spice due to the acrimonious departure of Hayes and Kell to the Tykes the previous summer.

The long trip to Swansea the previous Tuesday must have taken its toll on the SULSESC contingent. After taking two cars along the M4 to South Wales, only Karen and I made the train journey out of St. Pancras.

After hitting problems between Sheffield and Barnsley, we eventually made it to the Moulders Arms to meet up with resident SULSESC Manchester City season ticket holder Vic Duke, and gauge his reaction to the excellent cup draw the previous Sunday.

A couple of pints later, fish and chips were consumed in the pub's nippy beer garden, fetched by Karen from the chippy down the road, and we headed down to Oakwell.

And that was as good as it got. Around 15 minutes after arriving, we were left wishing we hadn't bothered. Just two minutes into the game, the Iron found themselves behind - looking all at sea defensively as Barnsley worked the ball down the right before sliding it across to the back post where Devaney had all the time in the world to make it 1-0.

Five minutes later, it was 2-0 as Till gave away a needless free kick on the wing and from the resulting set piece, defender Hassell was allowed a free header which left Evans with no chance.

United were not at the races and the home side had good chances to make it three before they eventually did just over half an hour in. In a move reminiscent of the first goal, Hayes did well to play the ball across the box where Richards steamed in unmarked to steer his shot past the Iron 'keeper.

It became a case of just holding out until half-time which Scunthorpe eventually managed.

Taylor and Baraclough replaced Till and Crosby for the beginning of the second period and the Iron looked slightly brighter in a scrappy start to the half, holding out for 25 minutes before conceding a fourth.

Hayes was looking like he had a point to prove against his former team, squaring the ball for Shuker after good work on the left and the former Man City player had no problem adding to the score.

United left it until late to get on the scoresheet, before a flurry of goals saw the match finish 5-2. Firstly, Taylor was clipped in the box and Beagrie stepped up to score his 100th career goal from the spot.

The veteran then turned villain, playing the ball across his own area for Hayes to slide home his inevitable goal.

Scunthorpe finally rounded off the match with their best move, culminating in MacKenzie firing home a fine shot from 25 yards.

Not much more to add - we were outplayed in all areas and deserved to get a tonking. In fact, just remembering the match to write this match report four weeks later has left me depressed...