Scunthorpe United 2-0 Huddersfield Town
Report from Glanford Park

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The Iron emerged 2-0 winners from their home pre-season friendly with Huddersfield Town.

Garry Thompson and Michael Raynes both scored in the second half to cap what became a comfortable success for Scunthorpe.

There was action at both ends right at the start, with Jonathan Forte curling the first chance of the match over the crossbar from the edge of the 18-yard box.

Scunthorpe were forced into a change 12 minutes in when Andrew Wright replaced Rob Jones, who limped off the pitch. The change saw Michael Raynes switch from right-back to the centre of defence.

Anthony Pilkington fired a shot just wide for the Terriers and then forced Joe Murphy to dive down low to his right to tip out his powerful effort which was targeted towards the shotstopper's left-hand corner.

O'Connor's goalbound shot was blocked as Scunthorpe continued to press. Then, Togwell blasted over the crossbar after being teed up by Andrew Wright.

It was a scrappy opening half, with both sides struggling to conjure up chances.

The visitors had a chance just before the break when Graham Carey weaved his way into the penalty area but he saw his shot from the right tipped out by Murphy.

The midfielder then sliced a low shot wide from the left hand side as they continued to have the edge at the end of the opening half.

Just before referee Jock Waugh blew his whistle for the break, Josh Wright headed into the arms of Alex Smithies after Andrew Wright's cross from the right flank, while Joe Garner headed wide from Scott Arfield's right-wing cross.

Scunthorpe, who for a lot of the game were playing Chris Dagnall just behind Forte and Thompson, saw the latter of those attackers draw a save from Smithies with a cross-cum-shot at the start of the season period.

The Iron went ahead on 52 minutes when Dagnall burst down the left and into the area, teeing the ball up for Thompson to sink past the goalkeeper from 12 yards.

Garry Thompson slides the Iron ahead.

Shortly after, Thompson came close again but saw his effort blocked by a Town defender.

Then Forte forced Smithies to tip wide with a low effort from the edge of the 18-yard box as the hosts looked for a second goal.

Jamie McCombe, formerly of the Iron, almost headed into his own net on 60 minutes but he glanced a header wide of goal from O'Connor's delivery.

It didn't take long for Scunthorpe to make it two though as, from the subsequent corner taken from the left by Josh Wright, Dagnall's near post header was blocked on the line, with Raynes there to sweep home the rebound.

Michael Raynes adds a second for the Iron.

The hosts were well on top in the second half and could have extended their lead on numerous occasions after the ex-Stockport man struck.

The hard-working Dagnall soon forced a half-volley wide after good work from Forte as United's onslaught continued.

Then, from Andrew Wright's throughball, Dagnall had a shot deflected just wide of Smithies' left-hand post.

Forte's header was cleared off the line immediately after by Arfield after Josh Wright's delivery reached the former Sheffield United man.

There was a double United change with around 20 minutes left as Martyn Woolford and Michael Collins came on for O'Connor and Dagnall. Shortly after, Bobby Grant came on in place of Forte.

Anthony Kay drew a tip over the crossbar from Murphy with an effort from range as the away team tried to find a consolation goal at the end.

Manager Nigel Adkins will be pleased, particularly with the second half display, and will also be happy to have seen his full-strength side keep another clean sheet - although the early withdrawal of Rob Jones will cause some concern.

The Iron are next in action when they host Grimsby Town in the final of the Lincolnshire Senior Cup on Tuesday night (6.45pm).

TEAMS
Scunthorpe United: Murphy, Raynes, Mirfin, Jones (A. Wright, 12), McNulty, Thompson, O'Connor (Woolford, 72), Togwell, J. Wright, Forte (Grant, 80), Dagnall (Collins, 72).
Substitutes not used: Slocombe, Boyes, Coleman, Godden, Williams.

Huddersfield Town: Smithies, Arfield, Naysmith. Gudjonsson, P. Clarke, McCombe, Roberts (Robinson, 65), Pilkington, Garner, Kay, Carey.
Substitutes not used: Rhodes, Bennett, Simpson, Croft, Chippendale, Atkinson, Ridehalgh.

Attendance: 1,484 (309 away).