Man City v Scunthorpe United

Saturday, January 7, 2006

English FA Cup

Man City :
James, Onuoha (Croft 45), Dunne, Distin, Jordan, Sinclair, Barton, Jihai, Ireland, Fowler, Sibierski (Wright-Phillips 69)
Subs not used:
Sommeil, Cole, De Vlieger

Scunthorpe United :
Evans, Byrne (Sparrow 61), Crosby, Hinds, Rose, Taylor (Goodwin 71), Baraclough, MacKenzie, Beagrie (Torpey 62), Keogh, Sharp
Subs not used:
Musselwhite, Butler

SULSESC REPORT

by Vic Duke at City Of Manchester Stadium

DD-day finally arrives and what do I do? Duke's Dilemma involves the FA Cup meeting of his home town club (supported for over 49 years) and his adopted club (supported for over 32 years).

As a season ticket holder at City for more than 29 years, I claimed my usual seat at a cost of £15, which is £3 less than the rest of you paid! Blame the Iron for that one as City wanted to charge £15 for everyone.

A slightly earlier than usual arrival at the Hare and Hounds meant that I preceded the 50 or so SULSESC members, who eventually found their way in there. A lot of Holts Bitter was consumed at the scandalous price of £1.55 a pint. Maxine, the landlady, excelled herself by providing a menu for the sandwiches - we've never had that before! I even provided Hull City on the TV losing to a team in claret and blue - what more could you ask for?

Just before setting off for the match I asked Karen to braid my two scarves (claret and blue, and sky blue and white) together. After a few minutes of futile intertwining she informed me that you need three items to braid! It was at this point that Karen became the second of two to learn who I would be rooting for underneath (my wife Caroline was the only other person in the know). The clue as to which support was the strongest today lay in the colour of my underwear.

And so to the match, which proved to be a classic game of two halves. The Iron were clearly the better side in the first-half and fully deserved their lead. Steadier finishing and the lead would have been greater. A stranger not knowing which team was which would certainly have singled out United as the Premier team.

The second-half was a different story, City moved up a gear and Robbie Fowler confirmed that he is still a class finisher.

The Iron fielded an attacking formation from the start with Taylor and Beagrie on the wings. After 17 minutes Billy Sharp cleverly dummied a long ball from Byrne, which resulted in Keogh being through one on one with David James. Keogh admirably kept his cool and produced a clinical low shot under the goalie and into the net. Keogh deserved to score for an excellent all round performance in the first-half.

On 35 minutes Keogh set up Sharp for a shot, which was deflected for a corner. A second goal at this point and things might have turned out differently.

City brought on winger Lee Croft for the second-half and he made an instant impact. In the 48th minute, Croft went round the Iron defence on the left to the byline, his cross was not dealt with and the lurking Fowler had an easy finish for the equaliser.

Eight minutes later, Ireland passed to Fowler in space on the edge of the box, and Fowler's left foot did the rest - an accurate low shot in off the far post.

A further eight minutes (the sequence was getting worrying) and City went 3-1 up via a penalty. Rose tangled with Sun Jihai and then handled the ball whilst on the ground. Fowler duly sent Tommy Evans the wrong way to complete his hat-trick. Despite the threat of more goals from City, United held out for a creditable scoreline.

Finally, mention should be made of the standing ovation accorded to Peter Beagrie by both sets of supporters on his substitution after 61 minutes. Beagrie was in his prime when playing at City, and is fondly remembered for his dazzling wing play.

After the match it was back to the Hare and Hounds for more Holts with celebrations and commiserations. Karen pointed out that my lucky pants had not worked!

The Iron should take a lot of plusses from this match. It was the best ever away performance against Manchester City. Iron fans established a new record for away support at the City of Manchester Stadium - 6,134 (actually it was 6,135). Last but not least, the result along with the same score at the stadium the following Saturday, puts Scunthorpe United level with Trafford United.