Scunthorpe United triumphed in excellent fashion against an inform Hereford FC side, hence regaining their seat at the top of the Vanarama National League North table.
The Iron were back on the road in freezing conditions to face a formidable Hereford side that were looking for their fifth consecutive win at Edgar Street. Following a number of games being postponed in the National League North, the Iron were presented the opportunity to reclaim their spot at the summit of the standings going into the crucial Christmas period.
Manager Jimmy Dean made two alterations to the side that defeated Warrington last time out. Centre-back Max Kouogun reverted back to his natural position from right-back for vice-captain Andrew Boyce. This allowed room for versatile wing-back Michael Kelly to return to the squad after recovering from a calf injury. The other change came in the form of Callum Roberts starting in place of Jason Law on the right-flank following several impressive substitute appearances.
Following a change of ends, in-form orchestrator Jacob Butterfield got the game underway for Scunthorpe. The intimidating Bulls faithful were out in full force, and within the opening minutes of the encounter forged themselves an early opportunity.
Hereford's top scorer Jason Cowley saw red and charged down Kouogun. He robbed the ball from the centre-half, and nicked the ball past the onrushing Ross Fitzsimons. The ball seemed destined for goal, only for it to be sent hurling into Row Z by Kouogun’s partner Will Evans.
The hosts were playing expressive football, continuing their impressive start to the fixture by testing Fitzsimons on numerous occasions. However, the Iron made sure to take advantage of their first opportunity of the game with a stroke of luck involved. Tireless midfielder Kian Scales chased down a hoofed clearance sending the ball spiralling backward over the head of goalkeeper Curtis Pond. Pond, in a last stitch effort, palmed the ball away before making a superb second stop to deny Scales, but Danny Whitehall was there to volley the ball home giving Scunthorpe the advantage.
Hereford were by no means downheartened following the goal, as they came marginally close to instantly replying. Alex Babos had a hopeful strike from distance that dipped just over the crossbar much to the relief of the backtracking Fitzsimons.
Despite Babos’ opportunity, United had now began to take control of the tie and found a swift second through Kelly. Butterfield’s low driven cross ricocheted back off the scrambling Hereford defence allowing the ball to fall kindly for Kelly who without hesitation smashed the ball past Pond to strengthen the Iron’s lead.
After the eventful first 25 minutes of action, the game had begun to slowly fizzle away. This was until on the stroke of half-time when the lead was further extended as Butterfield got his goal. Scunthorpe broke away with a swift counterattack after Scales fought to win the ball back within his own final third. This allowed the numbers to flood forward eventually finding Butterfield who strode into the area, and sent powered the ball into the bottom corner of the helpless pond’s posts.
Now the Iron were playing free-flowing football, and before long made it 4-0 in emphatic fashion. Butterfield’s first had been the only goal from seven so far this campaign that had come from inside the box, however normality was restored when the midfield maestro picked the ball up in a dangerous area and lashed a stinging effort past the outstretched palm of Pond, for what would be the half’s last action.
With both sides back out onto the dimly lit turf at Edgar Street, the hosts were left with a mountain to climb in so little time. The Bulls believed that they had found an early glimmer of hope when former Doncaster Rovers defender Paul Downing wheeled away in celebration after delicately flicking the ball past Fitzsimons at the near post, despite this Downing found himself denied by the risen flag of the assistant referee.
The warning shot seemed to spark life into the Iron as they went in hunt for their fifth of the afternoon. Butterfield was running the show, and snapped onto a loose ball in the middle of the park, after driving into the host's area. He powered the ball past the onrushing Pond, but a spectacular block on the line from Ollie Southern prevented the creative midfielder from claiming the match ball.
With both sides both playing hard and creating opportunities, the next goal was bound to be integral to the way the remainder of proceedings played out. It turned out to be the hosts who would draw the next blood through Cowley. Spanish midfielder Yusifu Ceesay picked up the ball on the left flank and slipped an inch perfect pass to Cowley, who turned and neatley dispatched the ball past Fitzsimons to cut the score line to three.
Now with one foot in the door, Hereford progressed in search of another and were presented the perfect opportunity to obtain one when referee Issac Sterle pointed to the spot for an adjudged handball by captain Michael Clunan. Following a delayed restart, Cowley stood calmly over the ball ready to double his tally for the day, but when he attempted to place the ball into the bottom left corner Fitzsimons guessed correctly and clawed the ball away for what was to be a superb save.
With the pressure relieved, United went straight back to work isolating the overworked Hereford full-backs. This earnt the Iron a corner which Callum Roberts whipped enticingly towards the back stick, where it appeared to be met by nobody allowing it to drop unchallenged into the goal for the summer signings’ second goal in as many games.
As seven minutes of additional time were indicated, the Iron showed no intent to slow down, trapping the Bulls within their own half - Roberts taunting both the Hereford fans and defence at every opportunity. The troublesome winger almost grabbed another deep into stoppage time, after driving and beating his man with some immense trickery he stung a ball across the face of goal that evaded everyone in the area.
This was to be the last action of the encounter, as United prevailed with class along the Welsh border, condemning Hereford to a 5-1 loss and only their third home league defeat of the season.
IRON: Fitzsimons, Kelly, Kouogun, Evans, Clunan, Roberts, Butterfield (Shrimpton, 73), Scales, Smith (Wilson, 85), Denton, Whitehall (Elliott, 55).
IRON SUBS: Boyce, Law.