The Iron Under-18s were victorious 2-0 against Huddersfield Town on Friday afternoon in the first of their set of fixtures in the Merit League, with the game taking place at Glanford Park.
Two second half strikes from Jake Harman and Harrison Poulter respectively gave the Iron a fourth victory this season against Huddersfield Town.
It was a varied side which hosted the Terriers on home ground too, with two under-15 and two under-16 players making the leap to represent the Iron in the Merit League.
Two minutes later, Hudderfield unleashed their first effort at goal via Fope Deru who blazed over the bar.
Josh Murtagh was called into action in the 20th minute to deny Huddersfield a key chance at goal. Hakeem Sandah flicked on towards Deru inside the area, whose close-range cross was thwarted by Murtagh before the ball could be latched upon.
United’s defence continued to deal with Huddersfield throughout the first half, with a 41st minute corner dealt with after Dan Vost’s delivery.
Just before the break, Temi Okuwa struck the post after defensive blocks from the Iron which denied Cian Philpott the lead initially.
Murtagh was tested again shortly after the break when Vost’s effort was guided into the side netting.
Ten minutes later, a shot from distance by Sandah was again comfortably dealt with by Murtagh, with the ball hooked clear by the Scunthorpe backline.
Harry Elliott-Bell found himself with United’s best chance of the game so far in the 65th minute, being fed in close-range but denied by Terriers’ shot-stopper Michael Acquah.
United struck the opener five minutes later in the 70th minute after a counter-attack, which was only made possible by Murtagh’s fine save moments before, was pounced upon by the Iron as Charley Strouther’s cross was connected with by Jake Harman who converted.
Scunthorpe continued to threaten for a second following the opener, two corners were eventually dealt with by Huddersfield whilst Acquah pulled out a save in the 81st minute to deny the Iron.
A second was notched in the 83rd minute through Harrison Poulter who calmly poked past the ‘keeper to wrap-up the points at Glanford Park.
Following the final whistle, Professional Development Phase Coach Rob Watson said: “We’re delighted with the win against a good Huddersfield side, we did exactly what we wanted to do.
“The game could’ve gone either way but it was a good win, and a clean sheet which was important, especially as Murtagh’s save led to the goal.
“It’s the fourth time we’ve beaten them this season so that's really pleasing as they’re a good side."
Watson finished by briefly touching on the breakaway mini-league, saying: “We’ve started well in the Merit League too, where points contribute to the main table as well so that’s good.
IRON: Murtagh, Dickinson (Harman, 70), Strouther, Cunningham (Corbett, 77), Abraham, Pike, Rowe (Hill, 64), Robertson, Poulter, Burden-Whittleton, Elliott-Bell.
UNUSED SUBS: Oxborough.
HUDDERSFIED TOWN: Acquah, Smith, Deru, Fletcher, Sheppard, Vost, Ojungu (Sanusi, 63), Okuwa, Bakre, Philpott, Sandah.
UNUSED SUBS: Hurl.