Scunthorpe v Cheltenham: 16th Sept 2006

CUNTHORPE UNITED 1 (Keogh 90)
CHELTENHAM TOWN 0

Scunthorpe: Murphy, Mulligan, Hinds, Foster (Crosby 35), Williams, Taylor, Sparrow, Baraclough, Morris, Sharp, Torpey (Keogh 74).
Subs Not Used: Byrne, MacKenzie, Lillis.

Cheltenham: Higgs, Gill, Caines, Lowe, Armstrong, Yao (Elvins 86), McCann, Finnigan, Wilson, Odejayi, Guinan (Spencer 77).
Subs Not Used: Brown, Wylde, Bell.
Booked: Yao, Gill, Finnigan.

Att: 4,288.
Ref: C Webster (Tyne & Wear)

Watching Scunthorpe United is very rarely boring, it is often frustrating, it is often infuriating, sometimes it is even enjoyable but very rarely boring, this latest match against Cheltenham Town was certainly no exception, it was certainly frustrating for eighty nine minutes, but in the end thanks to a little bit of magic from substitute Andy Keogh the weekend has turned out enjoyable.

For eighty nine minutes the Iron kept trying to break down a resolute Cheltenham defence but somehow failed to do so until Uniteds Irish under twenty one star picked up a pass from Billy Sharp on the left hand side of the penalty area, Keogh did well to break free of the Cheltenham defence before bending in a superb shot past Shane Higgs in the visitors goal to earn United a deserved win.

Scunthorpe kept the same starting line up that had brushed aside high flying Port Vale only a few days previous. Newly promoted Cheltenham included former Iron loanee Steve Guinan in their line up, the experience front man partnering Odejayi (the man who scored the goal against Carlisle in 2004 that kept Scunthorpe in the football league) in attack.

United started in lively fashion, earning four corners in the opening five minutes but were unable to find the break through. Billy Sharp thought that he had broken the deadlock after ten minutes when he finished off a good move which resulted in a superb cross from Taylor on the right which Sharp met perfectly to fire the ball home, the celebrations were cut short though, Sharp adjudged offside by the assistant referee.

The Iron continued to push forward but were thwarted by a combination of good defending and goalkeeping by the visitors as well as some wayward finishing by the hosts.

For the second game running Foster was replaced before halftime by Andy Crosby after receiving further damage to his already broken nose.

If the first half proved to be rather frustrating for the Iron supporters the second half must have had them pulling their hair out, the visitors goal was under constant pressure, Taylor flashing a couple of crosses across the face of the goal, Higgs denying Sharp on more than one occasion, Baraclough blasted a good chance over, Sharp failed to find the target from five yards out and then McCann denied United by clearing another effort off of the line.

As time started to run out Laws threw Andy Keogh into the fold, withdrawing Steve Torpey, still United attacked but still they were unable to breach the Cheltenham defence. It just looked as though it was going to be one of those days and a late corner won by the visitors had the Iron faithful wondering if they could actually lose a game that they should have won comfortably. With only seconds remaining a quick freekick by Murphy found Williams on the left and the impressive fullback surged into the Cheltenham half and after assistance from Morris and Sharp the ball found its way through to Andy Keogh to win the game for United.

This was another good performance from Scunny and even though they managed to make hard work of finally taking the three points they were deserved winners. The quality of the football was good with most of the team contributing, Taylor was back to his best on the right wing, the defence looked solid, Sharp proved an handful for the visiting defence and even Torpey had another decent game. After a slow start to the season things now seem to be falling into place and this win takes them into fourteenth place (and say it quietly, only two points off of a play off place).

The man of the match was Marcus Williams and it would seem that he maybe on the verge of fulfilling his obvious potential.

Next up for United in the league is the long trip to Bournemouth next Saturday before the they have the small matter of a cup tie against Aston Villa on Wednesday night at Glanford Park.