The Iron started the 2014/15 season in August with a trip to Swindon Town, and it was a game that would see a double loss.
This was in terms of the result, and Dave Syers being ruled out for (what seemed at the time) the season, following a rough challenge on the edge of the Swindon penalty area.The Iron would go 2-0 down before Paddy Madden pulled one back around the 20 minute mark, but Swindon restored their lead just before half time, and held on to finish the game 3-1.
Looking for a response, but by no means the favourites, the Iron headed to Championship side Blackburn Rovers in the first round of the Capital One Cup next. A goal from Neal Bishop midway through the first half would see United take an unexpected lead, and they held on to secure the upset, and a place in round two.
An injury during the Blackburn game to goalkeeper Sam Slocombe meant Scunthorpe handed a first league start to James Severn when Preston North End visited Glanford Park, in the first home game of the new season.
Despite the Iron starting the much livelier of the two teams, and Severn putting in an impressive performance, he was unable to stop four goals flying past him – and United went down to a 4-0 defeat, with former Scunthorpe striker Joe Garner amongst the goalscorers for PNE.
The Iron were handed a chance to get their first home points of the season just three days later, when Fleetwood Town headed our way. But it was to be another disappointing result, as two second half goals from the Cod Army were enough for them to take the points.
Looking to put the opening three losses to bed, the Iron made the long trip down to Somerset to face Yeovil Town. The game would see Paddy Madden make his first return to the club where he won the League One golden boot, and promotion to the Championship, just a year before. Yeovil took the lead in the game, but it would be Madden who would deal his former club the sucker punch, equalising for Scunthorpe on the 82nd minute, and securing our first point of the season.
Following their impressive victory in Blackburn in the first round of the Capital One Cup, the Iron were drawn to host Reading in the second round.
The game would see former Iron boss Nigel Adkins return to the club as an opposing manager for the first time, and the club legend would receive a wonderful reception from the Scunthorpe faithful. Despite United's impressive play throughout, the game itself finished 1-0 to the visitors, following a late goal from Royals sub Jake Taylor, and the Iron bowed out of the competition.
The final match in August would see that long awaited first league win of the season secured, when Walsall visited Glanford Park. It would be two goals to remember that guided the Iron to that first win. The opening goal came following a mazy run from Hakeeb Adelakun, who picked the ball up mid-way through the Walsall half before slamming low and hard against the post, but the ball trickled into the other side of the net.
The second was an unstoppable free-kick from Gary McSheffrey, from around 25-yards out. Walsall did grab a consolation goal with 20 minutes left to play, but Scunthorpe held their nerve to secure a vital first three points of the campaign.
After the first five league games of the season the Iron were left with four points and sat in 21st in League One. Some impressive performances, most notably against two sides from the league above, left Iron fans hopeful of a promising September.