The Iron's academy side got their pre-season underway with a 3-2 victory over Barton Town on Wednesday night.
First-year scholars Luca Chadli and Harry Jessop (2) notched the goals at the Easy Buy Stadium in what was a very beneficial warm-up encounter for Tony Daws' side.
The side comprised of four U16s, while the rest was made up of the scholars, with some first years playing with their new teammates for the first time.
After a cagey opening six minutes, Scunthorpe drew first blood and went ahead on their first real attack. Chadli intercepted a loose pass 40-yards from goal before driving towards the left of the penalty area and unleashing a low drive across goal, which bounced in off the post.
Twenty minutes later and United had the opportunity to make it 2-0. Louis Collins picked up the ball on the left, checked onto his right foot and sent in an inswinging cross which was flicked on by Jessop and turned just wide by Joe Busby - who was also flagged marginally offside.
On the half hour mark, Jessop drew a fantastic save out of home goalkeeper Nathan Popple as he curled an effort goalwards from 25-yards. The shot took a slight deflection, but was destined for the top corner, only for the Barton 'keeper to get a strong palm to the ball to turn it over the crossbar.
Four minutes later, Iron shot stopper Sam Riches was called into action for the first time as he got down well to save a powerful effort from 20-yards. The ball rebounded back into play, with a good defensive tackle thwarting a potential follow-up and a mild penalty claim turned down.
Soon after, the hosts had a speculative long range effort dragged wide of the post as the Iron went in at half time 1-0 up.
After a half of few chances in the first half, the game exploded into life in the second. The Iron had made a number of changes at the interval, as had the hosts, yet there was no cagey start to the second 45 minutes.
Half time substitute Levi Gallimore almost got his name on the scoresheet inside the opening minute as an attempted backpass across goal towards the 'keeper fell short. The forward fed onto the ball, but the Barton shot stopper was alert to the danger and pounced following his first touch.
A minute later, United once again came close to doubling their advantage following a move down the left. The ball broke in the penalty area, but the effort cannoned back into play off the far post.
On 49 minutes, parity was almost restored, but for a fine triple save from first-year goalkeeper Tom Collins. He first denied an effort from the edge of the area before quickly reacting to the rebound, saving from point blank range. The hosts maintained possession, with a shot subsequently coming in from 25-yards, which Collins again saved. Barton also hit the crossbar shortly before as they searched for a goal.
United's 'keeper was beaten on 67 minutes as an effort from ten yards was rolled past him, but defender Charlie Barks was back on the line to clear.
Five minutes later and Barton did drag themselves level. A corner came in from the right, with the hosts' Tom Horner powering a header high into the net.
The Iron's lead was restored ten minutes later though on 82 minutes. A free-kick was awarded 25-yards from goal following a foul. Jessop lined up the shot, cleared the wall and saw his effort go in off the post to make it 2-1.
The forward got his second of the game just two minutes later when he gained possession from a loose pass from the home goalkeeper, controlling the ball and firing into an empty net from outside the area.
3-1 became 3-2 with two minutes of normal time to play. A cross came into the area from the right, the ball was knocked down and then turned home from close range by Barton's Gareth Barlow.
The hosts almost salvaged a draw in the final minute but for a tremendous save from Collins from close range. An opening effort had been blocked following a low cross from the left, but the rebound required an instinctive save, just preventing the ball from crossing the line.
The academy side is next in action on Saturday, July 7th when they travel to face Brigg Town at The Hawthorns (12.45pm kick-off).
IRON: (first half): Riches, Baker, Morfoot, Harrison, A. Train, Busby, Pugh, Colclough, Chadli, Collins, Jessop.
IRON: (second half): Collins, Baker, Barks, Colclough, A. Train, Shrimpton, Dawson, D Gallimore, Jessop, Wilkinson, L Gallimore.