Following a resounding victory over strugglers Truro City at the weekend the Iron were back in league action this evening to face a test who were positioned at the other end of the table; Boreham Wood.
The Attis Arena had remained a fortress for United to start the Enterprise National League campaign, something Andy Butler’s side were looking to keep up against a Wood side looking for their sixth straight win.
After missing the fixture against Truro, club captain Andrew Boyce returned to full fitness to regain both his place in central defence and the armband to replace midfielder Oli Ewing missing out late on with a slight knock. Elsewhere, there were a couple of new inclusions on the bench for Scunthorpe as following the conclusion of his concussion protocol Jean Belehouan returned to the squad, along with full-back Branden Horton who was named in the squad for the first time since picking up a red card suspension against FC Halfiax Town.
When the game was set underway by the visitors, United couldn’t have gotten off to a worse start as they found themselves 1-0 down within the opening minute. A long ball down the channel would find the run of Charles Clayden beyond the Scunthorpe defence, with space to drive into Clayden would do so before whipping the ball across the face of goal towards Matt Rush. After Boyce’s attempted clearance sliced back into the danger area, the ball would be prodded home by Rush on the line for 1-0.
Following the games unexpected opener the Iron would go in immediate search of a quickfire equaliser with some neat interplay down the left. With Declan Howe the one charging down the flank he would receive the ball and delay his pass to give Alfie Beestin time to arrive in the penalty area, as Beestin charged onto the pass he would sting an effort towards goalkeeper Finley Herrick who was forced into a sharp low stop to deny a certain goal.
As the first half progressed the visiting Wood would use their advantage to remain on top of proceedings with a number of forward-thinking attacks. Throughout the first period It was fair to say that without Rory Watson between the Scunthorpe sticks it could’ve been a whole lot worse with the shot stopper producing a number of vital saves to keep the scoreline to just one.
With half-time approaching Boreham Wood would have a glorious chance to double their lead when the trickery of Abdul Abdulmalick allowed himself to cross the ball towards the back post for the unmarked Zak Brunt. On his own with a simple tap in to complete, Brunt would somehow blaze his effort miles over the crossbar from just a matter of yards.
This would take United into the break with a point to prove in this second period. With what appeared to have been a half-time rollocking from Butler under their belts, the Iron players would return to the field of play for the second half with a new lease of life and a newfound energy to go and find the equaliser.
The first opportunity that United would create of the half would come through Cal Roberts feeding off pure scraps inside the Boreham Wood penalty area. After Joe Starbuck’s initial cross into the area was knocked down by a Wood defender, Roberts would react first to latch onto the loose ball and send a low driven shot goalwards that had Herrick well beaten, only for it to nestle amongst the side netting.
With under half an hour remaining in the tie the Wood would create another chance to double their advantage when Abdulmalik burst into the penalty area and looked to provide the finishing touch with a low driven shot that flashed across the face of goal and marginally evaded Watson’s far post.
The next action in the game would be the leveller that the Iron desired and it would come from a rebounded penalty. After Tyrell Sellars-Fleming was clipped in the penalty area he would hit the deck leaving referee Garreth Rhodes with no choice but to point to the spot. From the resultant spot kick Roberts would step up with the confident looking Herrick to beat, and Herrick was rightfully confident as he produced a fine stop, but the ball would rebound back into the path of Roberts who tucked the ball home with ease.
Now back on level terms the Iron would look to push on towards a victory and with momentum on their side they would come close to finding the all-important second goal. After some patient build up play United would force the ball through the Boreham blockade and into the run of Sellars-Fleming who was bearing down on goal, with probably too much time to settle himself the loanee forward could only drive the ball into the onrushing Herrick with the rebound being sliced away from the target by Carlton Ubaezuonu.
This would prove to be the fixtures golden opportunity and with the game mere minutes from its end it looked as though both teams were willing to settle for a hard-fought point. This was until one final attack presented itself to United when Roberts’ speed on the break allowed him to carry the ball forward before releasing Ubaezuonu to the left of the box, as soon as the ball left the Irishman’s foot time would stand still, only for it to drift away from the target in agonising fashion.
This would seal the result at the Attis Arena with Scunthorpe fighting back to earn a point on home soil. The Wood would probably feel justifiably hard done by with the result as they are certainly the best side that the Iron have faced this season, however it could be a valuable point for the hosts who remain unbeaten in the Enterprise National League.
IRON: Watson, Evans, Boyce, Howe (Sellars-Fleming, 63), Beestin, Roberts, Rowley, Scales (Belehouan, 76), Starbuck, Dawson (Ubaezuonu, 76), Denton
IRON SUBS: Johnson, Horton, Beck, Chadwick.
ATTENDANCE: 3,602 (46 away)
REFEREE: Garreth Rhodes
