The Iron’s Under 18 side began their preparations for the 2022/23 campaign with a convincing 4-2 victory over Bottesford Town on Saturday afternoon.
Goals from Tyrell Sellars-Fleming (three) and Grayson Giles ensured United were victorious, with many opportunities given to some of the younger members of the club's academy too.
After a nervy opening 15 minutes, Sellars-Fleming was the first to trouble Town goalkeeper Jordan Quibell, with Nat Wallace smartly picking out Scunthorpe number nine, who saw his effort gathered easily.
But just minutes later, United had the lead. From the resulting free-kick, Sellars-Fleming rose the highest to guide the ball into the back of net, beginning what would result in a rather fruitful afternoon.
Robertson then saw his headed effort sail just over, as the Iron continued to dominate the game’s first of three 30 minute periods.
Sellars-Fleming was again proving a handful, as he forced Quibell into a mistake just moments later. The forward rounded the keeper, before Charlie Burden-Whittleton was seemingly brought down, with his claims waived eventually away by the referee.
As the second 30 minute period began, Bottesford levelled the game as the Iron failed to deal with a lofted free-kick that was eventually prodded home inside the six-yard area.
Moments later, Town midfielder Joe Simpson cleverly picked out forward Dec Bacon, who saw his effort come back off the post and trickle out of play.
The home side then firmly turned the game on its head just moments before the end of the second 30 minute period.
Bacon again did well to pick out a cross from the left before the ball was headed home at the back post.
However, with just 30 minutes remaining, United began to turn the heat and scored three times to ensure victory in the blazing sunshine.
First, Giles found the net to equalise matters shortly after the restart - with Daws and his side opting to switch around the personnel late on.
Harry-Elliott Bell’s superb cross field pass the caused havoc for the Poachers backline soon after, with Burden-Whittleton brought down inside the area. Sellars-Fleming stepped up and smashed home his second from twelve yards.
The forward then completed his hat-trick wonderfully, cleverly beating the offside trap to round off the scoring and hand Scunthorpe a deserved victory overall.
Following the completion of proceedings, Daws was impressed with the character his side showed in order to come back from a losing position early on.
“I think the boys did superbly. We knew it was going to be tough being the first game back this summer and they did exactly what we asked of them," he began.
“With lots of our Under 17 and Under 16 players with us, it gave us a perfect opportunity to see how things are going to go this season and I must say I’m impressed in what were very hot and testing conditions too.
“Bottesford Town have shown us great hospitality as always and we thank them for that. I wish them all the best for the rest of the season.”
United’s Under 18 side return to action next weekend, as their preparations for the 2022/23 campaign continue with a trip to Derbyshire to face Chesterfield’s academy side.
IRON: Ewan Oxborough, (Murtagh); Dickinson, Elliott-Bell, Pike, Devine; Wallace, Robertson, Burton, Strouther (Dawson); Burden-Whittleton, (Giles), Sellars Fleming.