Scunthorpe United v Chesterfield

Monday, December 26, 2005

Football League One

Scunthorpe United :
Evans, Byrne, Crosby, Hinds, Baraclough, Taylor, Goodwin (Torpey 61), MacKenzie, Beagrie (Sparrow 89), Sharp, Keogh (Johnson 80)
Subs not used:
Musselwhite, Richie Ryan

Chesterfield :
Roche, Picken, Hazell, Blatherwick, Nicholson, Clingan, Allott, Niven, Hall, Allison, Hurst (Smith 74)
Subs not used:
Muggleton, O'Hare, Downes, Larkin

SULSESC REPORT

by Mark Borrill at Glanford Park

DUE to the traditional lack of rail travel at this time of year, Mr. Skeels was able to offer Brad and myself a lift to this Boxing Day game.

On the positive side, by reducing the number of cars travelling, Andy's offer was environmentally friendly, as well as being practical. However, a Ford Puma does have certain disadvantages. Physically, it is a small vehicle which, without a deceptive Tardis-like interior, means cramped conditions for its passengers. Okay, so I am an ageing git with all the suppleness of a standard house brick, so perhaps I am being churlish to complain.

Unfortunately, there is an even worse pitfall in travelling in a Puma, or a Ka, or any small soft top Cabriolet, or any lurid coloured Corsa. These are all hairdresser's cars and three blokes in one is definitely un-natural. We must have looked like we were off to attend, or even participate in a civic ceremony celebrating the love of one sodomite for another. Damn, I have just exposed yet another of my many prejudices which I usually try to keep hidden for fear of being called a grumpy old man...

Anyway, this grumpy, stiff jointed, pre-geriatric tottered into Glanford Park fearing that United would be as generous as old Saint Nick himself.

Four minutes gone, and Derbyshire's boys and girls' wish is granted by Santa - 1-0 to Chesterfield from their first attack.

Despite United's efforts and virtual dominance of the first-half, the score remained unchanged.

The second-half continued in the same vein with United on top but struggling against a towering Spireites defence. Worse was to follow when, in a rare Chesterfield foray upfield, United conceded a penalty, resulting in a 0-2 deficit.

The response? United continued to carry the game, carving out decent opportunities and if Laws really believed that Torpey's introduction into a three-man attack would reap dividends, then he is a tactical genius.

To be fair, Torpey did at least give United a physical presence up front but he did not turn the game single-handed as Laws' post-match radio comments seemed to imply.

Every player deserves credit for their application, effort and positive attitude in finally securing a draw, the very least we deserved.

So a well earned point, although arguably it was two points dropped from a very pleasing display and a heartening shot of commitment.

My only worry is that Laws' Torpey admiration will result in the breaking up of the Keogh/Sharp pairing with dire consequences.

Defensively, we are the worst in the division; conversely, only Swansea have outscored us and we have relied on the agility of our front two so far to help compensate for defensive frailties.

If, as I fear, Torpey returns, then we will not score enough goals to avoid relegation but if we continue to play with today's level of commitment, at least we will go down fighting.