Scarborough 4-0 York City Thompson 25 Redfearn 28, 41(p) Hackworth 81 Lyth 90   Grant 65 Sunday 26 December 2004, Nationwide Conference Attendance: 4,586

How many times this season have you turned on your computer after witnessing a match that is surely "the worst day in the club's history" only for the post match press conference to paint an entirely different picture. Today was no exception as Viv Busby proudly announced that this afternoons performance was nothing like that of the Northwich game which must leave the majority of City fans (who didn't travel to Northwich) wondering exactly how bad City were two weeks ago.

City started brightly enough and for the 20 minutes we were level, the fans were optimistic despite the obvious lack of quality up front. Bishop, a shot-shy carthouse all afternoon, ran across the face of goal without even attempting to have a shot. Robinson looked to have a bit more about him but saw little of the ball to do anything with it.

At the back though the warning signs went up in 15th minute as Shaun Smith decided to leave a throughball for Stockdale who then had to race outside his area. Interesting to note that Donovan then gave Smith an earful and rightly so because the goalmouth was like a bog so the 'keeper could not race out (as he would do normally) with any certainty his feet would hold in the mud.

Scarborough's first goal came initially from more indecision by Smith and eventually a quality cross fell at the feet of Scarborough's rightback who hit a top quality shot giving Stocky no chance. Even though he was in our penalty area, the nearest defender was 10 yards away.

Just 3 minutes later, it gets worse as again the ball is not dealt with down the right and it falls at the feet of Chris Brass to clear. On an increasing slippery surface, he loses balance at the crucial moment which does no more than setup Neil Redfearn who despatches the ball into the top corner. Again the 'keeper had no chance.

City press on and Bishop should have done far better on a number of occasions throughout the first half but it was Scarborough who went in 3-0 up at half-time. Shaun Smith decided to recklessly give away a penalty when there was little danger and despite Stockdale guessing right, it was perfectly placed, that was effectively game over.

Second half starts and unbelievably Smith had not been substituted and he continued to be an absolute liability until the ref did York City fans a favour and sent him off. It was a controversial decision, supposedly for time-wasting which when you are 3-0 down is bizarre but lets hope the club don't appeal. If Mr Gate really wanted to be a hero of City fans, he could have sent Groves for an early bath aswell though it would have to have been an off the ball incident considering the waxwork of a footballer only touched it 15 times in 90 minutes.

Anyhow not surprisingly, City suddenly looked a better side minus Smith with Merris hitting a rasping shot that looked goal until the agile Walker produced a very good save. Pressure mounted and City got a free kick from which Donovan delivered an inch perfect cross for Lee Grant to nod in and Acombred was convinced it was game on.

More attacks and City should have had a penalty when Groves was pushed in the box. Perhaps the ref just thought he couldn't be sure because many senior citizens slip in wintery conditions. Bishop continued where he left off in the first half and went through the middle on another of his head down going nowhere runs but had he spread the ball wide to either flank, people were there to deliver a cross. I suppose that sounds good in theory but when a ball did finally get sent across, Bishop just stood there and made no effort to head it anyhow.

Robinson (Robbo) came on for Robinson and his header from a corner looked goal bound but Walker reacted quickly and made a decent save.

That was about it infront of the away fans but Scarborough hadn't finished and caught City a number of times on the break. A great block from Stockdale temporarilly kept the score down but further goals looked inevitable and eventually they arrived. In fact had it not been for save and two glaring misses, the score could have easily been 8-1.

Player Ratings

David STOCKDALE 7.5:
Not a chance with any of them. Great save from Senior.

Shaun SMITH -2 :
Worse than useless, we were better without him. Will the best rightback in the club now get a game? I somehow doubt it and Staley will probably fill in on Wednesday. We won 2-0 away at Burton with Graeme Law at rightback.

Sean DAVIES 5:
About as imposing as John Inman. Expect his catchphrase at the end of the season.

Chris BRASS 7:
Ran himself into the ground. Awful distribution but looked like the only one on the pitch that actually could be bothered.

Lee GRANT 7:
Good in the air and brave goal.

Kevin DONOVAN 7:
Just did not receive the ball enough. Obviously skillful and it was his delivery that gave Lee Grant his goal.

Paul GROVES 0:
His continued inclusion is a joke. I counted he touched the ball 15 times in 90 minutes.

Darren DUNNING 3:
If anyone can break up an attack it's our Darren. Unfortunately it's City attacks he destroys and if he had passed back any further, we would have ended up playing Whitby.

David MERRIS 6:
Good shot but failed to get to behind the defenders and deliver crosses.

Andy BISHOP 0:
Well if they do a remake of Steptoe and Son, he would be ideal for the part of Hercules and he wouldn't even need to wear blinkers.

Paul ROBINSON 5:
Showed glimpses but rarely got any service.

Ref:
A man with the vision of David Blunkett, the integrity of Robert Mugabe and the footballing knowledge of George W. Bush so surely no surprise that City fans got served up a dish of cold turkey twice on Boxing Day. However let no-one say he isn't consistent because this is the same clown who lost it totally for the last 15 minutes when we beat Carlisle about 3-4 weeks ago. I know the government is keen on social inclusion but I am inclined to think that letting Magaret from Little Britain referee football matches is perhaps taking things a touch too far.

Comments:
Well done AcombDave, Frank and IT on organising the bus. Impromptu free raffle of chocolates was fun.

Was initially surprised by the number of Police but the sea air did seem to have an effect on a number of fans. Disappointed that there were arrests but even more surprised that the mates of the guy who ran on the pitch didn't try and stop him. Obviously only doing it for a laugh (and perhaps trying to cheer up City fans at 2-0 down) rather than any violent intent but he could have landed himself in serious trouble. Hope commonsense prevails rather than something more draconian as we've seen in the past.

Finally Happy Christmas to the ever glamorous Frampton Red who ventured up from darkest Gloucestershire to witness such an improved away performance.

Report by Tim Wills

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