The press box at Glandford Park can be described as compact and close to the fans, after I had poured myself into my seat, Arthur introduced himself with a "Na then lad, it's abart time we turned you lot over." I am not how old he thought I was but he asked me if I could remember the 6-2 hammering in the FA Cup in 1961, I smiled and politely replied that it was a few years before my time!
Pool got things underway and even Arthur commented on the great ball from Wes Hoolahan to Ben Burgess in the opening minutes, Hoolahan floated a great cross field ball from left to right to the big striker who first time crossed to his strike partner Andy Morrell who drilled just wide. "Should of scored there lad" commented Arthur, he was not wrong.
Pool continued to enjoy the better of the opening stages and on four minutes Kaspars Gorkss saw a header from a David Fox corner saved with ease by Murphy, a minute later Pool forced another corner, this time Wes Hoolahan saw his inswinging effort cleared by Kelly Youga.
Scunthorpe who were being berated by Arthur and his associates flashed an effort across the face of Paul Rachubka's goal on nine minutes, two minutes later Paul Hayes followed suite as the hosts finally began to come into the game.
Having been the better of the two sides in the opening quarter hour Pool found themselves one down on 18 minutes when ANDY BUTLER fired home from 12 yards, Paul Rachubka produced what looked to be a brilliant safe but the ball drifted over the line to give the hosts a one goal lead, the Pool players protested that all the ball hadn't crossed the line a quick text to the wife who would surely be watching was met with a reply of "dunno, I'm watching Eastenders!". Eventually I received a text of a mate who said it was a poor decision as he felt not all the ball had crossed the line.
After the goal, the game became something of a scrappy affair, so much so I found myself discussing the Fylde Coast weather with my new found best friend.
Paul Rachubka was forced to make another fine save on 40 minutes when he threw himself to his left to push Martin Patterson's strike behind for a corner. After Gary Taylor-Fletcher had turned behind the resulting corner Pool were indebted to Shaun Barker who cleared off the line after Andy Butler's header appeared to be heading in.
Half Time Scunthorpe 1 Blackpool 0
The interval was spent peering through into the hospitality lounge watching the various TV replays of Scunthorpe's goal needless to say I was in the minority, as were Pool in the studio, quite how Brian Laws and Peter Beagrie can be impartial? My old mate Arthur who appeared to be against anything modern did conceded goal line technology would have been conclusive, quite why such technology has not yet been implemented is beyond me, every match programme when we interview the referee they all want goal line technology.
Pool started the second period brightly and forced an early corner, but Wes Hoolahan's set play was headed away with ease by Butler.
Paul Rachubka produced another brilliant save to tip a Jack Cork effort behind for a corner on 49 minutes.
David Fox fired a free kick into the wall after Wes Hoolahan had been fouled on 59 minutes.
Pool made a double change just after the hour when Keigan Parker and Michael Flynn replaced David Fox and Andy Morrell.
Kaspars Gorkss came close to netting an equaliser when he headed wide on 68 minutes.
Scunthorpe were reduced to ten men on 70 minutes when Kelly Youga was shown a straight red following a late challenge on Stephen Crainey, few could argue with the decision it was nearly as late as a Christmas card on Valentines Day!
Pool were practically camped in Scunthorpe's half but all too often the final ball let the Seasiders down.
With just under ten minutes remaining, Pool made their final change of the night when Andy Welsh replaced skipper Michael Jackson.
Sponsors man of the match awards is becoming something of a hot topic, the sponsors for some bizarre reason gave Kelly Youga their man of the match award.
With two minutes remaining Pool finally pulled themselves back on level terms when MICHAEL FLYNN fired home a great cross from Keigan Parker wide on the left.
Jim Goodwin drilled an effort just wide for the hosts, but it was the Tangerines who could have snatched a winner, a Keigan Parker free kick cannoned off the wall and out for a corner, which Pool didn't take full advantage off.
Then in the second minute of stoppage time Michael Flynn fired over after a quickly taken free kick found the substitute unmarked on the edge of the area.
POOL: Rachubka, Barker, Jackson (Welsh 82), Gorkss, Crainey, Taylor-Fletcher, Fox (Flynn 63), Jorgensen, Hoolahan, Morrell (Parker 63), Burgess Subs Not Used: Vernon, Evatt,
SCUNTHORPE: Murphy, Williams, Crosby, Sparrow, Goodwin, Hayes, Patterson (Forte 87), Cork, Youga, Butler, Hurst Subs Not Used: Logan, Ameobi, Morris, Lillis
Referee: Andy D'Urso
Attendance: 4407 (242 Pool)
