This week we sent Jim "El Muhamidi" Martin
Scunthonians win courtesy of a stream of sublime passes complemented by incisive tackling and a string of deft goals.
After an unusual, and much needed bright start Scuns ultimately flourished in the face of a string of poor performances and results.As the end of transfer window was edging ever closer, there was some late movement within the Scuns team, and it was only when the lads were in the dressing room, did they learn of Mr Jonathan " Peter" Kenyon's late night activity. The fee recieved by the club for the services of a Mr Chapman is as yet undisclosed, as is wether or not he shall return. In light of what happened on Saturday, some may say Chappers may have wished he had stayed where he was. ( But he may have enjoyed the drive to Huddersfield, just to turn round again!?)
Some changes to formation were made for Saturdays game, and what was needed more from all involved was a different attitude, and different work rate. And it was evident from the first whistle there was an improvement. All players were talking, passing, moving and winning tackles. And a bright start was rewarded early on when a lose ball in the middle of the park was picked up by Gaz Dixon, who sent a great ball down the left wing, Ridley latching onto the ball, passing the right back, cut inside and slotted calmly and neatly into the back of the net. A deserved one nil lead
The Scuns defence endured the odd spell of pressure from the BBM forwards, but nothing they could not hanlde. Quickenden had found himself with 10 yards of space and with a lose ball, but instead of running at the keeper, or indeed making him work, he opted for what appeared to be an 8 iron, and found himself nicley on the 8th green behind the goal.
Growing more and more frustrated by their lack of posession, and the fact they were not being given a second on the ball, the BBM players began moaning at every slight tackle, but after another wasted free kick at the edge of the Scuns box, the away team were in control.
Unfortunately for the home side they could not threaten again before Scuns extended their lead to a two-goal advantage. After the two fromt men liked up well again, Nicol found himself in fromt of goal with an onrushing keeper bearing down on him. Panic? Shoot right away? Nah, a deft drop of the shoulder was all Nicol needed to round the keeper and get himself on the score sheet.
Wether it was too cold for him, or wether he was just fed up of not having a touch, or not afforded time to run at our defenders, after a nice ball through to Quickenden, which would have put him one and one, it appeared he opted to fall over and blame a bad ankle for the fact a substituition was required. It seemed confidence was something only one team posessed at Cemertry Road.
Although the reporter can not be 100% sure, it has come from several good sources that the BBM team had won not one header in the middle of the park. The reason for such a one sided affair. A tactical decision from Kenyon to put Martin in centre mid. A decison that proved to work well. It afforded Dave Kemshall some time and space on the right to tease and torment with his light foot work, before dispatching his crosses.
After some neat inter changing of passing between Dixon and Nicol, Nicol once again put the ball past the helpless keeper adding another goal to his tally. A desereved brace for Striker.
Although the away team dominated, they at times were lose in their passing, and not unlike their old selves, gave the ball away too cheaply. The difference was the endevour to retrieve possesion and the work rate to get the ball back. After chances were missed to clear our lines, BBM found them sleves with a rare scap in front of goal, and they took it, with an Oats shot that barely reached the back of the net.
After such shifts being put in all over the pitch it was no suprise there were tired legs on the pitch, and least suprising of all was who was going off to give Moorland a run out. Yes Mr "Sick note" Lindsey.
After the good work Martin had put in, in the middle of the park it looked like it was going to be rewarded when his run was picked out and he found himself clear through with the keeper to beat. But no he wasnt up to the task, and could only find the post.
It looked like Mr Bellamy was going to go the whole afternoon without causing any offence to the opposing players or supporters. This was before he chased a ball down the left wing and after keepiong the ball in his tired legs could not stop him bundling into an old guy who immediately told him " not to mucky my new coat, i have just got this from BHS"
It had never looked like coming, but if BBM were to mount any sort of come back, they had to act soon. Time was runing out for the home side. If there was anyone who was in doubt who was going through to the next round of the cup, their mind was made up when Martin seized on the superp one two pass supplied by Nicol and galloped away down the centre of the pitch finding himself in a de ja vu moment. Only the keeper to beat, was it to be a second attempt at a chip over the keeper? No chance, the would be MOM, made sure of the victory by putting his laces through the ball and superbly finding the far side netting.
There was a moment of late tension when Kenyon rushed out of the box and was deemed to have brought down their player inside the area. Day, having just the simplest of tap ins from 2 yards out, after a discussion between Ref and the ever injured linesman, he was penalised for being off side, and the Ref brought the game back for a spot kick. Having already surrended our clean sheet Kenyon was adamant not to allow them a second and made a great save and BBM were kept at bay. Maybe the snood was too tight and effected Oatsy' ability to score from the spot?? Either way semi final place sealed.
"Scuns were fantastic. They looked like Scuns again. Whether or not they can claw back 10 points and challenge for the title is debatable but they're pretty formidable,"
Mr Steve Bruce on the come back of Chels.... sorry Scuns
