Three goals to two, a scoreline most football fans or neutrals would look at and think "ooh, I bet that was a cracker!".

Indeed, in the modern era of the beautiful game, a five goal thiller is something of a rarity. Two of the last four World Cup finals have been decided by penalty shoot-outs after rather drab affairs. In Europe only the 2005 Champions League final has been particularly memorable and let's not even begin with how bland FA cup finals have become.

How ironic then, that two out of the last three matches I've seen live have finished in entertaining 3-2 scorelines and yet have left me completely exhausted through disappointment. Bring on a dull 1-0 win I say.

The first of these, a defeat at the hands of Stoke City at Glanford Park. Although the Iron were a little naïve at times tactically, no-one in the ground could fault the performance and that the boys fully deserved at least a point, if not the full three. Goodwin and Cork were energetic and dominant in the centre, Paterson exuded his usual tiger attitude and Butler once again looked strong against the dangerous Ricardo Fuller.

Two appalling refereeing decisions set emotions afire in the home end, though late in the second half, after dominating play, United finally seemed to have their reward when Goodwin fired in a deflected goal. Fortress GP erupted, all was well in the world and my voice was temporarily lost in sheer delight and relief. Ten minutes later my voice was gone again, but this time through abject disappointment and utter disbelief at what we'd all just witnessed. Honestly, I haven't hurt like that after a game for quite some time.

So, to the other 3-2 "thriller" and a visit to Wembley to see England take on Croatia to qualify for Euro 2008 in Austria and Switzerland. England were going to win, it was going to be an electric atmosphere, it would mean redemption for Steve McClaren - it was a failure in every sense of the word!

The whole game was like someone had taken a photo of a bad nightmare and then charged me £50 to watch the slideshow of it.

England were completely outplayed by a ruthlessly efficient and well-organised Croatia team and once again I had to trundle home disappointed. The only thing "golden" about this generation of England players seems to be the rather unfortunate nickname Victoria Beckham bestowed upon her hubby.

Today however, I'm feeling a sense of calm, because although both results were upsetting, only one team showed a passion and commitment to their cause and that alone will be of huge importance to Scunny for the rest of the season. For England the immediate future is bleak - no manager, disillusioned and demotivated players and no competitive matches until September 2008. For the Iron on the other hand, there is plenty be optimistic and excited about, starting with the Humber derby this Saturday and a visit to the brand spanking Ricoh Arena three days later.

Oh, and the third match I saw in recent weeks? A 6-1 home win for Benfica over Boavista in the Portuguese league. Now wouldn't that scoreline be nice this Saturday?.?

Enjoy the game, up the Iron!

CamdenIron