The Iron’s Under-18’s side fell to a 4-0 defeat away at top of the table Doncaster Rovers on Saturday morning.
However, despite the scoreline, the team can be pleased with the number of chances they created against very strong opposition and the performance still showed that there were a number of positives to take from the game.
The first 45 minutes was fairly evenly contested, Doncaster only going into the break with a slender one nil advantage when they struck just past the half hour mark.
United started brightly, forcing the opposing goalkeeper into a save in the early exchanges when nice, intricate play presented Levi Gallimore with a chance to shoot, but his effort was straight into the hands of the ‘keeper.
In the 10th minute, Sam Riches in the Scunthorpe goal was tested for the first time when Rovers broke, but he was equal to the test and saved well.
The best chance for the Iron in the first half came after 16 minutes. Great pressure resulted in United winning back possession of the ball before good build-up play led to a decent opportunity for Louis Collins to break the deadlock, as an open goal presented itself in front of him. However, the striker was unfortunate as he mis-hit his shot and the ball went behind for a goal-kick.
Another two chances then fell to Scunthorpe moments later, when Gallimore won back the ball and won a corner. The resulting set-piece was whipped in, with Miracle Okafor meeting it with his head but, he couldn’t direct his effort on target as the ball flew over the top of the crossbar.
Then, two Doncaster attacks in quick succession saw them take the lead in the 30th minute when a cross from the right-hand side was tapped in at the back post to put Rovers one nil up.
Raynner Silva almost got United on level terms just before the interval when his effort had the goalkeeper scrambling, but he was able to save, and Doncaster could clear to preserve their one lead going into half-time.
As the second half got underway, Doncaster came out of the blocks quickly and soon doubled their advantage when they scored in the 51st minute. The initial shot came in and was saved, but the rebound was tucked away inside the six-yard-box.
A few minutes later, a good save from Riches stopped Rovers from further extending their lead when a quick counter caught them out. The home side continued to attack, but Scunthorpe stood firm in and around the box to prevent them from producing any clear-cut chances inside the penalty area.
As the clock ticked just past the hour mark, Doncaster found themselves three ahead when a quick counter was initially dealt with by Riches, but the follow-up shot was placed into the back of the net.
The Iron didn’t give up and continued to create opportunities of their own. First, Aiden Train made a good run down the left before Okafor was slipped in behind for a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. However, his touch was slightly too heavy, and the ball took an unfortunate ricochet back off him and out of play.
Harry Baker swung a cross into the middle for Gallimore to connect with his head on the 80th minute mark, but his header dropped just wide of the target.
However, a minute later, the hosts capped the goalscoring with their forth. A pacey, quick counter-attack was neatly finished off as the game ended 4-0.
TEAM LINE-UP:
Iron: Riches, Baker, Train, Silva (Dan Gallimore, 45), Banks, Harrison, Levi Gallimore, Pugh, L Collins (Jessop, 60), Okafor (Chadli, 70), Busby (Dawson, 70).
Substitutes not used: Crosher.