Report: Scunny 1-2 Town
By Aston
March 22 2008
Town's push for a top six finish remains on course tonight after Town came away from Scunthorpe with all three points following a 2-1 win.
Town had the better of the opening exchanges, Alan Lee and Pablo Counago were both denied by the Scunthorpe defence before Geoff Horsfield sent an effort high and wide for the homeside.
Town took the lead after 19 minutes when Pablo Counago was put through on goal by Alan Lee before beating the offside trap and slotting the ball past Iron ‘keeper Joe Murphy.
Lee was denied a run on goal by Andy Crosby, Lee was also denied by Joe Murphy after his shoot from Danny Haynes' cross scuff up into Murphy's arms, Counago could have had a second goal for Town but he fired straight at Murphy ten minutes before half time.
Jim Goodwin was denied by Velice Sumulikoski who put himself in the way of Goodwin's shot as the half came to a close.
The second half started with two red cards for violent conduct, Pablo Counago and Scunthorpe's Jack Cork came to blows 5 yards from the assistant referee and were both shown straight red cards and will miss the next three games.
Scunthorpe maid their first changes of the game at the hour mark with Ben May and Curtis Weston coming on for Ian Baraclough and Matthew Sparrow.
Martin Paterson forced Bywater into a rare save before Jim Goodwin fired wide from the edge of the 18-yard box.
Lee and Garvan were both denied by Scunthorpe's defence while at the other end Paterson and May created chances for Scunthorpe to level the scores before Sito put Town 2-0 up.
The Spaniard carved the homeside's defence apart before firing the ball past Murphy for his first goal since joining Town, straight after the goal Town made two changes with Danny Simpson replacing Danny Haynes and Tommy Miller replacing Sumulikoski.
Simpson made a good start to his Town career, nearly getting a goal but his right footed effort was blocked by Murphy.
Jordan Rhodes was introduced with 5 minutes to go but saw little of the ball. Scunthorpe gave them selves a life line in stoppage time when Ben May was left unmarked at the near post and he slotted home. Simpson was shown a yellow card for time wasting as the game finished 2-1 to Town.
Town are now 7th in The Championship on goal difference behind Plymouth who have played a game more.
Scunthorpe: Murphy, Cork, Crosby, Butler, Baraclough (May 59), Sparrow (Weston 59), Goodwin (Wright 90), McCann, Morris, Paterson, Horsfield. Subs not used: Lillis, Hayes.
Booked: Horsfield, Morris
Sent-off: Cork.
Town: Bywater, Wright, De Vos, Bruce, Sito, Haynes (Simpson 72), Sumulikoski (Miller 72), Garvan, Quinn, Lee (Rhodes 85), Counago. Subs not used: Colgan, Roberts.
Booked: Simpson
Sent-off: Counago.
Attendance: 6636
What does this result do for Town's play-off chances? Leave your view below.
2 Bristol City 40 1 67
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3 Hull 40 15 65
4 Watford 39 14 65
5 West Brom 38 26 63
6 Plymouth 40 11 59
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7 Ipswich 39 9 59
8 Crystal Palace 40 7 58
9 Wolverhampton 39 1 58
10 Charlton 40 6 57
11 Burnley 40 -1 55
Just so your all aware of the table
Ipswich Town - the pride of anglia