It was another crucial encounter in the National League North for the Iron this afternoon when they kickstarted their season defining Easter Weekend with a trip to play-off hopefuls King’s Lynn Town.
The Linnets came into the fixture with hopes of strengthening their spot in the top seven with just three games remaining, with these circumstances in mind it was bound to make for an enthralling matchup at the Walks.
There was positive team news prior to the game for United as the announcement of midfielder Max Brogan being recalled from his loan spell at Southern League Premier Central side AFC Telford United meant that he could come onto the bench to provide the Iron with another attacking option amongst the alternates. Elsewhere, the Scunthorpe faithful would’ve been grateful to see the return of star striker Danny Whitehall, who after what had felt like a lifetime away returned to the matchday squad.
To start proceedings both outfits spent the early exchanges trying to figure out one another, as a result the chess match like encounter had no early chances to report up until the 10th minute.
The first opportunity of the game would come through Iron striker Alfie Beestin who forged a chance out of seemingly a nothing move. When the ball found the feet of the forward on the edge of the Linnets' area, he would compose himself with a confident touch before rifling an effort at goalkeeper Paul Jones that forced the experienced shot stopper into a fantastic reflex save to turn the ball around the post.
The next action in the fixture would be the opening goal as King’s Lynn stormed into the lead through talisman forward Gold Omotayo. After dispossessing the Iron inside their own half, the hosts would take to the wings and attempt a deep floated cross to the back post, the cross was pinpoint for the rising leap of Omotayo who was uncontested to nod the ball beyond Ross Fitzsimons for 1-0.
As proceedings continued Scunthorpe would grow into the game more and more and seemed to be pushing towards a justified equaliser. United would come close in the 28th minute when a deflected shot knocked back into the path of Central Defender Will Evans who thundered a half-volley at Jones, which again the 38-year-old tipped over the bar to deny.
With half-time approaching and the Iron still desperately searching for an equaliser a signature Cal Roberts free kick would present them with the chance they desired. After winning the free-kick himself, Roberts would stand over the dead ball around 25 yards from goal. When he stepped up the Iron’s star man wrapped his effort beyond the wall and it appeared destined to nestle in the corner, however again it was Jones to save Lynn as he sprung to his left to palm the ball away from target.
This would be the first-half’s last action and when the teams returned for the second period United looked ready and rearing to go as the hunt for an equaliser commenced.
Within a matter of minutes, the Linnets would break away and were given the chance to double their advantage. It was a defensive mishap from United that allowed Matty Warburton to burst beyond the Scunthorpe back-line and go one on one with Fitzsimons. As Warburton bared down on goal all he had to do was knock the ball beyond Fitzsimons, however the striker would snatch at the opportunity by blazing his effort over the crossbar.
Despite Lynn having that chance the Iron did well to go straight back to work and began to test the King’s Lynn backline again. With the clock ticking to 60 minutes a golden chance would go a miss when a shot from Mo Fadera would be cleared off the line in unusual circumstances as the effort that seemed almost certain to go in hit Carlton Ubaezuonu, who despite his frantic attempts to get out the way was unable to do so as the ball deflected away from goal.
In the minutes that followed another glorious chance would go begging for Scunthorpe who were getting closer and closer to their goal. It was a ball into the feet of Danny Whitehall that allowed him to provide an instinctive flick into the feet of Roberts who drove into the penalty area, after moving the ball onto his left foot and shaping up for the shot the winger could only steer his effort passed the far post and wide of the target.
As the game dragged on the Lynn defence stood firm. Despite United’s desperate attempts they were being countered by a defensively solid home side who were providing constant resistance.
All of the visitors missed chances had caused the game to crescendo into frantic closing stages that saw the Iron have countless late corners, after persistent attempts to get the ball into an area a chance to rescue a point would arise as possession dropped to Beestin with the whole goal to aim for. With players closing him down the Scunthorpe man attempted to lash the ball beyond Jones, however he would lean slightly to far back and place his effort over the bar to bring the game to a disappointing end.
IRON: Fitzsimons, Kelly, Kouogun, Evans, Clunan (Boyce, 80), Beestin, Roberts, Rowley, Scales (Ubaezuonu, 57), Fader (Whitehall, 61), Denton (Brogan, 72).
IRON UNUSED SUBS: Campbell.
First team manager Andy Butler speaks following the away league encounter at King's Lynn Town.
Midfielder Max Brogan has been recalled from his loan spell with Southern Premier Central side AFC Telford United.
The nature of Brogan’s extension of the loan included a 24-hour recall, which the Iron have activated ahead of our Good Friday encounter with King’s Lynn Town.
The 23-year-old arrived at the Attis Arena in the summer following his departure from National League side Solihull Moors after a season where he had loan spells at National League North sides Tamworth and Buxton.
Brogan joined the Bucks in early January aiming to aid the club’s promotion charge. During his time with Telford, the attacking midfielder appeared twelve times in black and white and scored two goals, including a spectacular free-kick goal against promotion rivals Leiston FC.
Despite his loan deal being extended until the end of the season in March, Brogan would still appear for United on one occasion when he played a part in the Scunthorpe side the defeated Cleethorpes Town to win the Lincolnshire Senior Cup last month.
Brogan's recall sees him go straight into the squad for this afternoon's encounter.
Welcome back, Max!
The Iron are back on the road after getting back to winning ways in a 2-0 home victory against Spennymoor Town. Michael Kelly opened the scoring in the 18th minute, before Carlton Ubaezuonu sealed the points a minute before injury time. Next up is an away day against fellow promotion candidates King’s Lynn Town, who come into this game in positive form.
In the reverse fixture at the Attis Arena, Scunthorpe were victorious in emphatic fashion. Cal Roberts opened the scoring 15 minutes into the match, before Danny Whitehall grabbed a first half brace, seeing the result end in a 3-0 win for the Iron.
Unbeaten in their last four whilst having just one loss in their last eight, this fixture is set to be a difficult task for United as points become more crucial than ever at this stage of the season. The Linnets have only lost five games on home soil this season from their 21 home clashes, with six draws and ten wins in their other 16 home fixtures. Town’s steady home form sets them up as a solid side, who have the potential to cause problems for almost any team in this division.
In this recent spike in form, King’s Lynn have mainly seen their glory come on the road. Despite positive form, Town haven’t won in their last three home matches, drawing 0-0 to Chorley and Brackley, and even losing 3-0 to Spennymoor. The Iron will be hoping to take inspiration from that Spennymoor result and rediscover some away form after their last two away games ending In defeat, against Radcliffe and Kidderminster Harriers.
Some Linnets players who can hurt Scunthorpe’s back line are Josh Hmami, Tommy Hughes and former United striker Jonathon Margetts.
25 year old central midfielder, Josh Hmami, has been crucial linking midfield to attack this season. Hmami has scored four goals this season and has got his assist tally into double figures, setting up ten goals this season. Another central midfielder for King’s Lynn, Tommy Hughes has been important for his team and has been able to get some important goal involvements from midfield. The 24 year old has netted five from central midfield, and assisted three this season as Town look to scrape into the top seven play off spots.
Ex Scunthorpe striker Jonathon Margetts, joined halfway through last season and hit the ground running. The experienced 31 year old has slowed down his goalscoring form this season, in his second year at the Linnets Margetts has bagged ten goals so far and will be looking to add to his tally.
As Andy Butler’s side look towards their final three games of the season, the Iron have found themselves in a three horse race for the league title with Brackley and Kidderminster, quickly following just one point behind them.
