The Iron defeated Cambridge United 2-0 on Tuesday night, as they finished the Checkatrade Trophy group stage with three wins out of three.
Luke Williams opened the scoring in the first half, before a late Hakeeb Adelakun goal sealed the win, and meant Scunthorpe would have the home advantage in the next round.“It’s good to get back on a winning streak after the defeat on Saturday,” Clarke told The Iron PlayerHD.
“Our last performance was good I thought, we just didn’t get the luck with the chances.
“We had to be professional and score some goals, and stop them scoring tonight, and we did that well.
“Me personally, it’s my first game back in six-plus weeks. I’ve had maybe only three proper training sessions, so I’m not fully fit yet – but I thought I did well.”
The United full-back felt that even when the home side attacked dangerously, he and his teammates dealt with the pressure professionally.
“I felt as though we were always comfortable, but it’s a cup game so they will always get some half-chances and momentum," he stated.
“Even when they got into our half I felt we were comfortable, and the lads around me helped me out fitness wise, and I tried to help them out when I needed to.
“All round it was a positive night because we got the result.”
With the game being Clarke’s first back after injury, the defender admits one of his main priorities was getting through the 90 minutes injury-free.
“My main aim was to come into this game and make sure my ankle was fine – and it was. Now it’s about getting as fit as I can," he said.
“I’ve had a couple of shots and flashed one across the box, so I thought I did quite well considering where I’m at.”
Goalscorer Williams made his first start too after injury, and Clarke was pleased to see him also stake a claim for a spot in the starting 11 on Saturday after an impressive display.
“Luke had a similar injury to me, but he’s had a couple of extra weeks back at training than I have," he said.
“I’m pleased for him, and it’s good for the team. We were doing well before we both got injured, we did well during them, and we are going to do well after them. It’s an all-round positive for the club.”
United travel to Coventry on Saturday and, despite their lowly position in League One, they are a team Clarke believes his teammates should be very wary of.
“There are a lot of young players in that team. They had a poor start to the season, but I know the quality they have there," said the defender.
“They’re on a good run, but we’re not focussing on them, we are focussing on our form and we are going to try and stay at the top of the table.”
See much more from Jordan Clarke, Graham Alexander and Joe Anyon on The Iron PlayerHD.
Tweets by @SUFCOfficial