United line-up: Barrett, Matt Joseph, Granville, Preece (Richards 87), Craddock, Ashbee, Hayes, Hyde, Taylor, Barnwell (Kyd 82), Beall.
Sub not used: Thompson.

Tom Bowran's match report:
What a completely dire game. Roy McFarland decided we would sit back and settle for the draw. No-one really shone, Shaggy was probably the best, Matty Joseph was sound as ever. Craddock played most of the game with his head bandaged after a clash of heads. Still won everything in the air. Jamie Barnwell should have capitalised on a pathetic back header, but put it over the bar. Billy Beall had an excellent chance 2nd half but drilled it across the goal and wide. Ian Ashbee played right back and was pretty good, but nothing to write home about.

As far as trying to win the game goes, that was it. Oh yeah, sorry, we had a blatant penalty appeal in injury time, after a Hyde 15 yard drive was handled, but in consistency with his performance the ref was too blind and crap to pay respect to the basic rules of football.

RM brought a much demanded Richards on after we conceded the goal. He also decided that route one should again become part of our footballing repertoire.

On a final note, to those small pockets of fans who sat behind the goal, particularly the whingeing women present, what do you know about football? Scott Barrett was right to turn around and set you straight. You are supposed to be SUPPORTING the team, not being two faced by praising RM at Torquay, and then calling for his head and accusing him of wrecking the club. RM's experience is far beyond yours which, if you are one of the whingeing women, consists of watching Division Three football at the Abbey, or Anglia Kick Off. We have a quality side (give or take Adie Hayes) who have shown they can compete with the best of them. PLEASE HAVE FAITH AND SUPPORT THE LADS INSTEAD OF WHINGEING ABOUT HOW MUCH YOU PAID TO WATCH THEM. Fairplay, they were poor,and we did not have enough of a crowd to chant and support the lads, but come on, is shouting abuse any help at all?

Ratings

BARRETT   8   A couple of fine saves, and commanded the defence well.
JOSEPH    7   Reliable as ever, sporting amber and black hair.
GRANVILLE 6
PREECE    6   Best role was arguing with the ref over the rules of a
              corner. (Probably caused 3 minutes of the injury time!)
CRADDOCK  6   Brave effort to play on with knackered head, but allowed
              Brodie to turn and shoot for the goal.Won everything in the 
              air though.
ASHBEE    5   Nothing to be proud of. Diagonal long ball merchant.
HAYES     4/5 Gave ball away, looked unsurprisingly short of confidence. A 
              loan spell at an ICIS club would do him well. Ask Danny 
              Granville.
HYDE      7   Played well, but not on top form.
SHAGGY    8   *MoM*  Tried to motivate the lads, worked hard, looked 
              dangerous at times, but lacked service, but when you're 
              content to travel to Scarborough and sit back for a 0-0, you 
              are not likely to get crosses from the wings are you. 
              WELCOME BACK OH UGLY ONE.
BARNWELL  8   Again proved his pace is an asset to the club, leaving 
              donkey Stuart Hicks for dust quite often,and then damaged
              the donkey's knee ligaments.
BEALL     8   Worked hard as ever. Must have a lot of socks, as he seems to
              run his off every game! Poor joke,sorry.

Subs:
KYD       -   Came on but did jack.
RICHARDS  -   Injury time run out, a waste of a quality player.
THOMPSON  -   Not used.

With grateful thanks to Tom Bowran for his match report.

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