Scunthorpe United 1 Southend United 0

Mitchell Cole's low shot was blatantly handled outside of his area by goalkeeper Paul Musselwhite

However Southend’s main problem was the inability to keep the ball in the first half as manager Steve Tilson made a number of changes to a side that suffered defeat earlier in the week to Southampton. Andy Edwards came in for Spencer Prior as the intriguing battle to partner Adam Barrett, between the two veterans continued. There were also moves in the midfield as Carl Pettefer and Mark Gower moved into wide positions and substitute in the week Luke Guttridge entered the centre of midfield.

In fact the warning signings were there early on in the half as an unorganised Southend team saw the home side go close. Iron youngster Billy Sharp was provider whilst forward Andrew Keogh poked a shot goalbound as Scunthorpe began to dictate the opening stages of the game. Still within the first fifteen minutes of the game The Iron hit the woodwork to sound the biggest warning signal so far. Sky Sports pundit and former Leeds and Bradford midfielder, Peter Beagrie, cut in from the left onto his right foot before thundering the ball against the crossbar.

Whilst the visitors came into the game a little more, with Mark Gower shooting wide of the target, it was the hosts who were still controlling the play. Billy Sharp was involved in the play again as he flicked a header goalwards. His failure to head the ball downwards was his undoing as the ball nestled into Flahavan’s grateful hands.

If Flahavan’s work was seeming easy, it suddenly became harder for the former Southampton custodian as he was forced into a great save, again by the head of Sharp. Beagrie was the provider as his accurate cross was powerfully headed by the striker. However Darryl was equal to the effort as he tipped over the bar at full stretch.

Despite this, the Blues defence did not head the warnings and only four minutes had elapsed since the Sharp chance. This occasion two different players were involved in the build up. Andrew Keogh played a through ball to the quick running Ian Baraclough. Baraclough eased off the poor efforts of Luke Guttridge to slot the ball into the back of the net. (1-0)

Whilst Scunthorpe fans celebrated the goal the half died out into a non-event with the exception of one Shaun Goater chance. The Goat, who had been very quite, received a perfect cross from skilful winger Mark Gower. However unlike the song, when the Goat was fed he did not score.

Half Time: Scunthorpe United 1 Southend United 0

If the first half could be described as Scunthorpe’s then the second was most certainly Southend’s. Although Scunny started the brighter with a close Peter Beagrie freekick the rest of the game largely belonged to the Shrimpers.’

Firstly Andy Edwards went ever so close with the first of many corners Southend had in the second half. Mark Gower hung a dangerous set piece in the air for the veteran centre back to attack aerially. Gower was then involved in play once more as he turned Nathan Stanton after receiving a short corner from Kevin Maher. The former Tottenham youngster decided to shoot from an acute angle rather than drilling the ball towards Goater or Wayne Gray.

The Southend pressure was relentless and Gower, who had switched to the left was beating right back Stanton or most occasions. Gower had beaten the Iron full back once more and with another good centre managed to find the Goat once more. However the former Manchester City striker could only scuff his shot into keeper Paul Musslewhite’s hands (more from Musslewhite later!).

However as Goater, Gray, Gower and co. frantically searched for an equaliser they did not count on being robbed by the referee, not once, but twice. Firstly as Shaun Goater attempted to turn the Irons’ defender Richard Hinds he managed only to shift half the may around his man before being blatantly pulled down. The instant reaction was to wait for the referee to point to the penalty spot although referee Andy Woolmer took was the only one on the spot to turn the appeal down. With Woolmer just yards away from the incident it seemed a very strange decision to turn down such a obvious decision.

Whilst once can be considered a mistake, two blatant decisions against Southend certainly raised a few eyebrows. On this occasion, as substitute Mitchell Cole raced through on goal Musslewhite shot off his line and out of his area to handle the ball. A freekick and a red card would have been the obvious decision but Woolmer again went against the obvious to deny the Blues an advantage. A freekick and a man advantage with fourteen minutes remaining would have been ideal for Southend but instead Scunthorpe had possession whist numbers were even.

Southend could not maintain the level of pressure for the final minutes although they did have a final flurry. Gower and Maher, who shared the corner duties all evening had one more effort each although neither managed to cause real danger as Barrett was penalised for pushing and controversial keeper Musslewhite caught the other. The game petered out as Scunthorpe survived and the travelling army left empty handed.

Full Time: Scunthorpe United 1 Southend United 0

Scunthorpe United (3-5-2): Paul Musselwhite; Nathan Stanton, Andy Crosby, Richard Hinds; Richard Ryan (Cleveland Taylor 65), Matty Sparrow, Ian Baraclough, Marcus Williams, Peter Beagrie; Andy Keogh, Billy Sharp (Tommy Johnson 90). Subs not used: Adam Capp, Wayne Corden, Andy Parton.

Southend United (4-4-2): Darryl Flahavan; Lewis Hunt, Andy Edwards, Adam Barrett, Che Wilson; Carl Pettefer (Mitchell Cole 75), Kevin Maher, Luke Guttridge, Mark Gower; Shaun Goater, Wayne Gray. Subs not used: Bart Griemink, Spencer Prior, Mark Bentley, Jay Smith.

Match Stats

Goals: The Iron 1 The Shrimpers 0

Shots On Target: The Iron 6 The Shrimpers 3

Shots Off Target: The Iron 2 The Shrimpers 5

Shots Blocked: The Iron 6 The Shrimpers 4

Shots hit woodwork: The Iron 1 The Shrimpers 0

Corners: The Iron 7 The Shrimpers 11

Freekicks: The Iron 10 The Shrimpers 7

Offside: The Iron 1 The Shrimpers 1

Referee: Mr. K. A. Woolmer - 4/10; General Control 2/5; Application of the Laws 1/3 Appearance and Personality 1/2
To be fair Mr. Woolmer had a bit of a shocker and I doubt he will referee this poorly again all season. He turned down to gamechanging shouts in favour of the Irons and booked Mark Gower needlessly for kicking the ball away.

By Matt Donohue