Encouraging Under-18s display at Walsall

The Iron’s Under-18 side put in an impressive performance away at Walsall on Tuesday.

The Saddlers emerged 3-2 winners in the end but professional development phase coach Andy Dawson said there was a lot to be encouraged by.

He told Scunthorpe-United.co.uk: “We’re really pleased with the progression since the start of pre-season. There are lots of positives to take. There is work to do, but we’re on the right path.”

United’s goals came through Harvey Ablett (above) and James Kalu.

The first was a well-taken team goal, with Liam Colclough involved down the right and play switching before Ablett finished well.

Then for Kalu’s strike, he received the ball on the 18-yard box and showed a good touch before turning and bending the ball into the far corner. It was part of an impressive display from the substitute, who affected the game after coming on.

“In the second half we created lots of opportunities. What we need to be now is more clinical in taking them, but the players are taking it all on board,” continued Dawson.

“Of course, this level of football is not about results, it’s about development. That’s the challenge for young players when they start their scholarship, to keep improving all the time.

“However, we need to keep working hard - not just on going forward but defensively too.

“The encouraging thing though is that a lot of the things put into the training and our analysis came out in the game. That’s positive going forward for us and we’ll continue to work really hard.”

The Iron Under-18s are next in action on Friday morning (July 21st) when they play Sheffield Wednesday Under-18s at West Street, Winterton (11.30am kick-off).