Today’s player watch sees on loan Huddersfield striker, Jimmy Spencer, make his first start for Scunthorpe against Sheffield United in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.
Under the floodlights of Glanford Park, Spencer started alongside a strong line-up, being one of only two changes from the League Two game against Newport County at the weekend, replacing Deon Burton in the frontline.Spencer made a bright start to the game, drifting towards the left wing to receive the ball from the full back before laying it off to an overlapping player, looking to get the cross in.
In the first half, the 21 year old continuously came into the midfield to receive the ball, before, again, feeding the ball for a well-positioned teammate.
In the 17th minute of the game, Spencer showed a glimpse of getting on the score sheet. Ribeiro’s cross was deflected by a Sheffield United player before Spencer beat his marker to the ball. His stretched out leg made good contact with the ball, which looped over United keeper Mark Howard. However, the keeper showed good reflexes, tipping the goal bound shot over for a corner.
Spencer linked up with well with his striker partner, Winnall, well in the first half, exchanging a good interchange of passing deep in the Blade’s half.
During the opportunity of a cross, Spencer tended to coasted towards the near post, looking for the flick on.
Spencer started the second half lively. On the 51st minute, he picked the ball up on the half way line, before running at the Sheffield defence. His shot showed power, however it was directly at the keeper and comfortably saved by the opposition number 1.
Throughout the game, he showed good pressure on the opponents defence, forcing such defenders, like Maguire, into defensive errors.
Spencer looked to be one on one with the keeper on the 60th minute, following good pressure from the Iron frontline. Despite beating the Sheffield keeper to the loose ball, he was sharply adjudged to have been offside by the assistant referee.
Spencer showed a good aerial threat from set piece’s also. A second half corner from Hawkridge went directly for Spencer, however his powerful header sailed wide of the post, leaving the score at 0-0 with penalties looming. 6ft 1in Spencer won numerous long balls during the 90 minutes, flicking them on to his on running strike partner.
Although he didn’t score throughout the game, Spencer had a good game as he was up against a high standard of defence. He showed great ability to get in on goal and on another day, he would have got on the score sheet. This was the first full 90 minutes Spencer has played in the Claret and Blue after making numerous substitute appearances for the Iron’s.
The Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie finished 0-0 after 90 minutes and went to penalties. Spencer didn’t get an opportunity to take a penalty in a shootout that Scunthorpe lost 5-3.