United line-up: Barrett, Matt Joseph, Granville, Preece, Craddock. Raynor (Ashbee 82), Thompson, Hyde, Taylor (Barnwell 80), Kyd (Beall 67), Richards.

Terry Wilby's match report:
This was a shambles of a performance, and were lucky not to lose by many more goals as Scott Barrett made a number of reflex saves to keep the score down which is why he's my Man of the Match. I can't remember their keeper having to make a save.

The line up was changed, when I saw Thompson was playing (instead of Ashbee) I thought we were playing 442, but it was the same formation as usual but with Danny Granville as the left wingback. Micah Hyde came in for Hayes.

As last Friday Taylor always seemed isolated as Richards and Kyd were playing wide, neither did anything much, although Richards was consistent in giving the ball away when under no pressure, although he was not the only one to muddle Amber/Black with Claret/Blue.

When we went 2-0 down mid way through the second half Beall came on for Kyd, at least he did some running for the ball. Later Taylor was replaced with Barnwell, then Ashbee for the injured Raynor. I couldn't tell if Taylor was injured, but to replace a forward with a midfield player when losing is a bit silly.

Our best scoring chance fell to Richards towards the end when he blasted over from just inside the penalty area with only the keeper to beat. Hyde made some good moves, but is clearly not match fit. A very poor display, mid table is about all we will end up with if there is not some improvement.

The crowd ( the kids anyway) had a go at McFarland. Considering the noise that was made a few weeks ago about not playing Richards, there was quite a lot of noise to get him off last night! What a fickle lot.

Ratings: Barrett 8, Joseph 5, Granville 6, Preece 6, Craddock 4, Raynor 5, Thompson 5, Richards 4, Taylor 5, Kyd 4, Hyde 5. Subs: Barnwell 4, Ashbee 4, Beall 6.

Gareth Challis' match report:
Where do I start ? Probably the most impressive part of the night was the fact that they hadn't put the dirt back on the floodlights after the Sky game. Good news greated us at the start of the match - Micah was back, replacing Hayes, although it was too obvious that he wasn't match fit.

Somebody else mentioned imagining 20 players all helping each other out to get the ball past Barrett. I can't think of better description than that for a performance which probably redefined 'par' for United matches.

The first half was just about watchable - going on the strength that we normally have a good and bad 45 mins in each game, surely the second half would be much, much better. Interesting thought, but not true.

Scunthorpe were always the better side coming forward, with Scotty our saviour, making amends for his part in our downfall against Carlisle last Friday. Some terrific saves - in a way, I'd prefer that Barrett was one of the players who *didn't* go elsewhere at the end of this season. He's had a good season so far ...

The best United chance in the first 45 fell to Tony Richards. Micah played the ball through to Kyd, who in turn put Richards through. A 50-50 chance, Richards seemed to get there before the 'keeper, but the ball nestled in the side-netting.

The second half got duller. Mistakes galore. Perhaps we are more suited to part-time Sunday league football ? The first chance of the second half fell to Micah, beating two players on the left. Stumbling, he realised he wouldn't out pace them so tried to chip the 'keeper from an angle, around 35 yards out. A pretty mean feat considering the goalie was rather tall, but Micah's chip almost did what he intended. Just skimming the paint on the crossbar. Would have been United's goal of the season !

From there it was all downhill. First John Eyre scored for Scunthorpe - the ball was crossed from the right, everyone seemed to let it go, including Eyre it seemed at first, before he spun around and placed a fine volley past Barrett and into the far corner. Strange thing was I said 'Goal' as the cross came over. We're getting too predictable.

Even stranger, I said '2-0' just as Richards was trying to be Pele on the edge of his own area, giving the ball away. The resulting shot was parried by Barrett leaving Housham to place the ball into an empty net. Ho hum. Another home defeat looming .. five goals conceded at home in just two matches.

Some strange substitutions followed. Barnwell came the closest, with a shot from no more than 3 yards out. The 'keeper was nowhere, but of all the places his fierce shot had to go, it hit the head of a defender on the line - he knew nothing about it. The ball richocheted across the goal and out for a corner. It just wasn't going to be United's day. In the last minute Richards was put through again, hitting the ball on the volley, but blasting 5 feet over the bar when it was surely easier to hit the target.

There were more shouts of 'McFarland out' from the Newmarket Road end, although I can't see what this would achieve. It's pointless, mindless shouting - these people obviously don't have a clue about football if they think sacking the manager at this stage of the season will cure our problems. It sickened me to hear the chants. My applause goes to the few who tried to change the chants to something positive. Why sing "What A load of rubbish" when your team needs to get some confidence from somewhere. It's the Robbie Turner syndrome from earlier in the season, although the weight is now all on the teams shoulders. If United fail to secure a playoff place, the few 'so called' fans are just as much to blame as the manager and the players.

Yes, it was a bad game - every team has a bad patch in the season, and Tommy Taylor left us during our best run for a couple of seasons. Get behind the team, not on them. At the moment we are still in a very good position. Who is to say that we would be doing any differently if Tommy Taylor was still at the club ? Whinge mode off. So, all in all, an unimpressive match. Somebody owes us 90 minutes of football ;)

Ratings :

Barrett   8 - Mom - Could have been 4 or 5 to Scunthorpe.
Joseph    5
Granville 6
Preece    6
Craddock  5
Raynor    5
Thompson  5
Richards  3
Taylor    4
Kyd       4
Hyde      6

Subs :
Barnwell  5
Ashbee    3
Beall     6

Many thanks to Terry and Gareth for their reports.

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