The Iron reserves drew 0-0 with Rotherham in the Central Reserve League cup at Glanford Park. Neither side could take their chances in a tight game.
The first chance fell to Jamie Wootton from Etienne Esajas’ corner. He diverted the ball well with good power but it went straight into the hands of Scott Shearer.Rotherham replied well after seven minutes, making zippy passes around the final third of the pitch and once it fell to Mike Williamson on the edge of the box, he shot on the turn and hit the top of James Severn’s crossbar.
Soon after, the Millers’ Nicky Walker skipped Iron defenders into the edge of the Iron box but his shot was too soft and it was hit directly at Severn.
Ali Watson showed a good passing ability by spreading the ball well with nice floating pass and it was returned in the box but he sliced it on the half-volley.
Esajas looked to be the dangerman for the Iron, as his shot was again deflected for an Iron corner.
On the 20 minute mark, Jamie Wootton was put through on the right-wing but it was a tight angle to finish from and Shearer parried it for a corner.
The Iron’s lively Dutchman showed good feet by rolling the ball past a Rotherham defender before shooting from 20 yards. His effort saw Shearer scramble across goal and put it out for a corner.
Luke Hornsey used good vision to switch play to Esajas on the right and he came inside his defender and shot from 30 yards, deflected and on target and saved.
Rotherham created a chance by sending a dangerous cross into the box and Connor Bell’s shot was deflected for a corner by the Iron’s reserve captain, Callum Howe.
This time the chance fell to Hornsey, after Bateson threaded a nicely weighted ball through but the Rotherham defender blocked his path to goal with a well timed slide-tackle.
As the first period came to a close, one of Scunthorpe’s best chances fell to Howe. After Esajas skimmed his marker on the left-wing, he put a powerful cross into the box, but it was just too high for Howe to head.
The Iron’s new loan signing Marcus Williams showed good attacking intent and after Esajas lost the ball, he chased back well to defend and clear the ball for a corner on the half-way line.
As the second period started, neither side looked like opening the deadlock and Rotherham nearly shot themselves in the foot as central defender Dan Rowe hit a heavy back pass. It put Shearer under pressure but he controlled and cleared it well as Wootton closed him down.
Bateson was denied as he was through on the left and he opted for a finesse shot with his favoured right foot and it was well parried by Shearer.
The Millers counter-attacked and Walker tested Severn with a low, well-powered shot but the goalkeeper denied him.
Rotherham’s Bell also got the best chance of the game for the visiting side as he was played through and his dink went just wide of the target.
Matt Tubbs hit the side netting as he shot in a quick-fire attack. Had it been on target, Severn was well placed to save the shot.
The Iron’s best chance of the second period fell to Marcus Williams, who got forward well and the game’s new addition, Kyle Wootton, crossed to Williams at the near-post and his shot went well-over the bar.
Watson’s craft ball set Ayrton Bevins through on the right-hand side and his cross was cleared for a corner by the Iron defence.
Another chance was missed by Bell as a quick flowing move by the visitors ended with the ball being squared by Walker to the front man and he failed to find the target.
Sutton, Williams and Kyle Wootton made a pacey attack as Rotherham were left short and Sutton squared the ball to Williams, who twisted and turned to create space before getting a shot off on goal and it was deflected by the retreating defenders .
Rotherham substitute James Codman could have snatched the win for his side as he shimmied through the Iron defence and, with the outside of his right boot, poked his effort to the wide-left of the goal.
TEAM LINE-UPS
Scunthorpe United: Severn, Byrne, Williams, Collins, Howe (Grayson 63), Waterfall, Hornsey, Boyce, J Wootton (K Wootton 63), Bateson, Esajas (Levi Sutton 68).
Substitutes: Weaver, Hare.
Rotherham United: Shearer, Lucas, Johnson, Mills (Wigley 55), Rowe, Watson, Bevins (Codman), Williamson, Tubbs, Bell, Walker.
Substitutes: Harley.