City slump to defeat

City slumped to their second defeat in a performance let down by many factors that could be put right. Also a poor pitch and an awfull referee went against City in a fustrating night for the city fans.

The game started off in superb fashion for City when early pressure so nearly let City in for the opening goal. Good pressure from Brian Wilson lead to him being able to collect a poor sloppy back-pass, Wilson rounded the keeper but saw Murphy claw the ball away when Wilsons shot was saved.

Two more quick-fire chances saw a Betsy chance blocked and Carey had a save which left Murphy scrambling down to his left but safely saw the ball go just wide of the post.

After the paramount City pressure Scunthorpe hit back with Cleveland Taylor forcing Basso into a easy save.

Scunthorpe were then getting on top and nearly scored when Andy Crosby headed just wide from a Kevan Hurst corner. Seconds later Beckford saw a shot just narrowly go wide of the post.

Then the big moment of the game and it was very contraversial. A shot from Scunthorpe was a-judged to have struck Careys hand which lead to replays proving that it was totally un-avoidable and a poor decision. Scunthorpe had a free-kick in a dangerous posistion and after clever movement from Sharp, a quick free-kick set him free to turn and shoot into the bottom corner. Poor awareness happened to let City down, this was poor as Scunthorpe had tried this a few times earlier in the game, they should have learnt.

Scunthorpe then pressed for the second as City couldn’t wait for the half time whistle. Taylor had a shot deflected wide whilst Sharps angled drive just went over the bar to the relief of the City faithfull.

After a equally poor second half starting, Johnson made changes to the team when he took Bradley Orr off and replaced him with Loanee Wayne Andrews to make it 4-3-3 with Brian Wilson pushing into his favoured posistion right back.

Citys first meaningful effort in the second half finally came when on 64 minutes Andrews turned and shot just wide of the far post. Whilst on the City line McCombe cleared a Beckworth effort away to safety to keep City in the game.

Citys chance to equalise then came and it was gift wrapped and delivered to score. Showunmi’s driven cross was scuffed wide of the near post by Betsy when he was unmarked, 6 yards from goal. Citys first real chance in a game where neither keeper was hardly tested.

City then nearly got a second chance when a McCombe header was cleared off the line from Andy Crosby, Murray hit the loose ball way wide of the target.

At the other end, concerning times for Basso who had been clattered from a poor challenge from the eratic Beckford.