West Brom v Scunthorpe Utd 29/12/2007

Myself and Keithy D made our last away journey of the year (2007) to West Brom and i had a feeling that it would end in defeat but not by as big a margin as 5-0.



The first thing to catch my eye as we were travelling down the M1 wasnt the skid marks at junction 28 where we had an accident on route to Northampton, but a convoy of Minibuses. Not unusal, but the company they belonged to was. It said ''JESUS ARMY'', with this Keithy D looked into his Phrase Book and pulled out a cracker...''There full of bloody HAPPY CLAPPERS'' Another Classic quote from the Keithy D.

As we got to are seat not many SUFC fans had got in the ground so we found what we thought was a good view and out the way of the Singing Barmy Army. We was fooled. A young lass of about 18 sat behind us then a lad of about the same age sat next to Greg. The lad sat next to Greg had terretts and the lass behind had incontrolable shouting fits. The lad often seen making 'Cut Throat' signs at the stewards and the lass was screaming 'Away Away' everytime WBA came forward.

Anyway to the game, SUFC were soaking up all of WBA's pressure and making a few openings themselves untill a long punt from the WBA rear guard found Kevin Phillips 5 yards offside but the flag was never raised and Phillips slammed home a rocket into the top corner (1-0). Quality finish but he was without doubt offside. This angered Nigel Adkins and he went in a rage at the linesman and the ref sent him to the stands. The next turning point was from another long punt from a WBA defender which went straight through to SUFC's keeper Joe Murphy. Next thing the linesman is flagging and Marcus Williams was giving his marching orders. For why is still a mistery. Anyway with 10 men SUFC were always going to struggle and soon found themselves 2-0 down after a goal-mouth scramble lead to Robert Koren firing home, so at half time it was 2-0 to the Baggies.

In the second half it was all down hill and Phillips got his 2nd with a cute chip (3-0) and then he had the chance for his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Kelly Youga brought down Ismeal Miller. Murphy saved and gave the travelling Iron fans a little to Cheer. That soon ended though when a WBA corner was half cleared to Zoltan Gera who unleashed an unstopable 35 yard strike into the top corner (4-0). Even the SUFC fans clapped that finish. Then a long ball forward from Carl Hoefkens was brought down by Craig Beattie who twisted and hit a curling shot into the top corner from 30 yards (5-0) again the SUFC fans clapped in admiration.

So the game ended 5-0 but it would of been interesting to see what would of hapened if the first goal had been correctly ruled offside and the ref had not sent off Williams for no apparent reason. But again the ref spoiled the game and it ended in defeat.

Although the final quater of 2007 hasnt been all plain sailing for the Iron it will be a much remembered year for Scunthorpe United as they clinched the league 1 title and made a new record of 19 unbeaten games, Lets look forward to 2008 and hope they stay in the Coca Cola Championship!

over and out

Turks/Mid-Ship/Graham