Scunthorpe United FC

Ahead of the Iron commencing their 2021-22 Sky Bet League Two campaign at the Sands Venue Stadium against Swindon Town, we take a look back at United's previous home season openers.

THE HOME RECORD...

LAST SEASON...

2020-21

The Iron began the 2020-21 season with a draw against eventual play-off final losers Newport County, coming from behind at the Sands Venue Stadium.

Ryan Loft, one of a number of players making their league debut for the side, slammed home a long range second-half equaliser to cancel our Ryan Taylor's first-half effort.

IRON: Watson, Bedeau, McGahey, Gilliead, Loft (Javis, 85), Eisa, Hippolyte, Spence, Vincent (Green, 71), Cordner, Hornshaw.

THE LAST WIN...

2016-17

The Iron began the 2016-17 season with maximum points as they turned around a first half 1-0 deficit to win on home soil.

United fell behind to a Matty Taylor strike after half an hour of the new campaign, but responded spectacularly in the second 45 minutes with three goals while attacking towards the Britcon Stand.

Kevin van Veen lashed home the equaliser on the half volley after a corner was only partially cleared before the ball was headed across goal by Tom Hopper. The Dutchman's composed finish hit the roof of the net.

On his debut, Josh Morris then picked up the ball on the half way line, nine minutes from time, before driving towards goal and firing the ball into the net from 20 yards.

Kyle Wootton sealed the win in the final minute as he played a give-and-go with Hakeeb Adelakun, latching onto the ball over the top and beating Steve Mildenhall with a left-footed effort low into the corner from 20-yards.

IRON: Daniels, Wallace, Mirfin, Townsend, Clarke, Dawson, Morris, Bishop (Ness, 67), Adelakun, van Veen (Wiseman, 89), Hopper (Wootton, 85).

THE START OF TWO PROMOTION CAMPAIGNS...

2013-14

After relegation to League Two, the Iron faced league returnees Mansfield Town at Glanford Park and didn't disappoint.

Matt Sparrow volleyed home on his return to the club after good work from Terry Hawkridge, while Sam Winnall burst clear ten minutes later to double the advantage after another assist from Hawkridge.

Eddie Nolan would be dismissed for a second booking with minutes remaining, with the Stags skying the resultant penalty.

IRON: Slocombe, Dawson, Mirfin, Canavan, Nolan, Sparrow, Welsh (Clark, 88), Hawkridge, Collins, Burton (Iwelumo, 81), Winnall (Godden, 77).

2004-05

The Iron had to come from behind to emerge victorious at Glanford Park in the 2004/05 season.

After nearly dropping out of the Football League on the final day of the previous season, three summer signings in Paul Musselwhite, Andy Crosby and Ian Baraclough bolstered the team and would set them on a run which would eventually see them promoted to League One.

Leo Bertos converted a penalty on the stroke of half time after one of the debutants, Crosby, was adjudged to have fouled.

Cleveland Taylor fired home the leveller before Paul Hayes put the hosts ahead after hooking home a corner. Matt Sparrow would fire in to seal the three points with moments remaining in the game.

IRON: Musselwhite, Ridley, Butler, Baraclough, Stanton, Crosby, Beagrie, Taylor, Kell (Sparrow, 86), Hayes, Bailey (Keogh, 85).

THE FIRST ONE...

1950-51

In the first ever league encounter for both sides, neither team could break the deadlock and thus attained their first ever league points.

Both sides were new admissions to the league in 1950 and were eager not to spoil their opening fixture with defeat, hence playing out a goalless affair at the Old Show Ground.

IRON: Thompson, Barker, Brownsword, Allen, Taylor, McCormick, Mosby, Payne, Gorin, Rees, Boyes.