Scarborough 2 Town 0

Last updated : 24 July 2004 By Site Staff

New boy Michael Reddy didn't feature due to injury, whilst Ashley Sestanovich was named amongst the subs after failing to play against Brigg.

Ben Chapman pulled on the Town shirt for the first time in over two years, the defender is back at Blundell Park on trial after his release from Boston.

Carlos Garrocho started up front after his winning wonder goal against Brigg. David Soames and Graham Hockless occupied the wide berths in attack.

From the start Town looked uneasy with the back three of Young, Ramsden and Whittle struggling to find each other with simple passes.

Scarborough's goal never really came under threat from Town in the first half, only Soames looked likely to create something with some impressive running. Sadly support was lacking for 'Digger'.

The wingbacks of Chapman and Crowe were struggling to come to terms with the system with the Boro wingers enjoying vast freedom. That in turn drew Young and Ramsden out of position on more than one occasion. Whittle, as at Brigg, looked sluggish and well off the pace.

Williams in the Town goal was hardly tested but he made hard work for himself at every possibly opportunity. His collecting of crosses was suspect to say the least, kicking dreadful and organisation of a defensive wall was simply shite.

At the break Town replaced the poor Whittle with trialist Paul Gaughan.

The second half brought Town's best spell, all two minutes off it. From the kick off Town attacked and Hockless' shot brought a fine save from Walker. After another threatening raid failed, Town were reduced to defending.

On 60 minutes Town's defence stood and watched whilst Tony Hackworth headed home from a free-kick. Hackworth was rumoured to be one of Russell Slade's summer targets, typical.

Town fought to get something back with the introduction of a mystery trialist only known as Abdul. The giant frontman struck a chord with the Town following straight away with his name sung long before his first touch.

Abdul's first few touches were headers from long balls. The power behind the headers was impressive, the direction less so. The big man did impress though, he has the all the credentials (pace, strength, height, decent footwork) however his one shot on goal left a lot to be desired. His lack of understanding for the offside rule also concerning.

The reaction from the fans towards Abdul was Chima Okorie like and the player responded to his new found fame. Sadly not with the goal the travelling fans wished for.

As Town pressed for the equaliser Scarborough looked dangerous on the break, alleged Town summer target Keith Gilroy had pace to burn and he took pleasure in tormenting Town's defence.

Town didn't make it easy for themselves either. Williams in goal was against suspect with constant flapping at crosses and poor kicking. The lack of comminication between him and the back three was a disaster at times.

A mistake from Gaughan allowed Chris Senior in, he played a quick one-two before finishing beyond Williams to seal the game.

Town offered little else as the clock headed towards 90 mintues, most play was a longball up to Abdul who failed to find a team-mate on most occasions. Clint Marcelle made a nuisance of himself after coming on as a sub but failed to link up with his fellow strikers.

Ashley Sestanovich came on as a sub for the final 10 minutes but had little time to make an impression but appeared to injure his back just moments after coming on.

Serious questions need asking over the defence and goalkeeper after another suspect performance, the midfield is also void of creativity whilst the longball tactic will only work with a good target man.