Report: Hartlepool Under-18s v Iron Under-18s

Joe Busby netted for the Iron's Under-18 side in a 3-1 defeat away at Hartlepool United.

The side started well at Blackhall Colliery Welfare Park and could've taken the lead inside two minutes from a well-worked corner routine. The ball came into the box with the home goalkeeper making a fine save.

In what was a fairly even first half, the hosts took the lead after 21 minutes following a swift counter attack after a sustained spell of possession for the Iron youngsters.

Shortly after the goal, Scunthorpe had a good opportunity to immediately restore parity through Tom Pugh, but his effort wasn't too much trouble to the home goalkeeper.

Louis Collins was then provided with an opportunity to equalise four minutes later when he went through one-on-one with the Hartlepool goalkeeper, but he stood tall and made a fantastic save.

The equaliser did arrive though on 28 minutes through Joe Busby. The strike came following a good individual move which involved Levi Gallimore. He squared the ball to Busby, who fired a shot across goal from 18-yards into the net.

That lead lasted just five minutes though as Hartlepool capitalised on an individual mistake in the final third to punish the side and make it 2-1.

The side pressed for an equaliser as the half drew to a close with Gallimore going closest following a through ball from Harry Jessop.

On 65 minutes, Fin Shrimpton had the second half's best chance, forcing a save from the home 'keeper.

Two minutes into added time, Hartlepool got their third on the counter-attack as the Iron pressed for an equaliser.

Professional Phase Development Coach Steve Thornber said: "It was an even game and there were lots of positives to take from the game. It was disappointing to lose the game. Two goals came from individual mistakes and the third was on the counter-attack when we were trying to equalise.

"The performance was a positive and we can take a lot from the game."

IRON: Riches, Baker, A. Train (Barks, 80), Harrison, Colclough, Morfoot, Busby (Wilson, 80), Pugh, L. Gallimore, Collins (Shrimpton, 60), Jessop.

UNUSED SUBS: Crosher.