Scunthorpe United triumphed at Glanford Park as they comfortably saw off Chorley 3-0 courtesy of a spirited performance.
The Iron were back in action for the first time since the 2-0 Isuzu FA Trophy defeat against Solihull Moors a week prior. Coming into the highly anticipated encounter against play-off hopefuls Chorley, Scunthorpe stood atop the Vanarama National League North standings, and were looking to continue their recent impressive league form against a Magpies side that held United to a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture.
First team manager Jimmy Dean made one alteration from the side that was defeated against Solihull. Fan favourite wing-back Reagan Ogle returned to the side for the first time since sustaining a shoulder injury against Banbury back in early November. The Australian was inducted into the starting XI in replace of versatile defender Michael Kelly who dropped to the bench.
The visitors began the tie brighter than Scunthorpe by threatening on numerous occasions. Their fast build up style of play allowed Chorley to manufacture the game’s first notable opportunity within the opening five minutes. The Magpies' top scorer Justin Johnson latched onto a loose ball and drove toward the penalty area. The Dutch winger played a neat one-two with front-man Charlton Ubaezuonu before unleashing a rifling volley that soared just over the upright.
Within the following minutes, the Magpies were denied what appeared to be denied a blatant penalty shout after Ubaezuonu took a tumble within the area, with referee Dane McCarrick waving away the visitor’s desperate appeals play continued and United went on the attack. Cal Roberts collected the ball down the right flank and managed to escape from his backtracking defender. Roberts heard the shouts of shoot from around Glanford Park, and sent a low driven shot towards goalkeeper Matt Urwin that nestled just wide of the mark.
After a well contested opening 25 minutes, Scunthorpe were now knocking on the Magpies door, and the lively looking Roberts was again creating problems. A lofted pass was intercepted by Adam Henley deep within his side’s half, before the left-back was able to think he found himself robbed of possession by Roberts in the area. In an act of desperation Henley was forced to take down the Newcastle-born winger awarding the Iron a penalty. Top scorer Danny Whitehall stood over the spot kick and smashed the ball past the outstretched arms of Urwin to make it 1-0.
With half-time approaching, United were in search of a second goal to strengthen their advantage. This goal was very almost found through vice captain Andrew Boyce, who rose highest in the area to meet a Jacob Butterfield corner. Boyce’s towering header was directed on target but was comfortably collected by Urwin in what the half’s last action.
The sides were back out for the second half with United intending to maintain their defensive solidity from the first period of play and in doing so claim all three points.
Since his loan arrival from Heart of Midlothian Connor Smith has been in exquisite goal scoring form and he further added to his record in the 52nd minute with a timely finish. A free-kick from Roberts landed back at the feet of Tyler Denton who clipped a delicious cross towards Whitehall, who somehow knocked the ball down for Smith who was never in doubt too slot the ball past Urwin.
The second goal seemed to have further added to the Iron’s confidence as Dean’s men showed no sign of slowing down by immediately testing a tiring Chorley back-line once more. Roberts again threatened and after picking up the ball in a promising position threaded a perfect pass to Smith who set himself and kicked the ball past the onrushing Urwin only to be denied on the line by Mark Ellis. However, Ellis was unable to stop Whitehall, who smashed the ball into the gaping goal from a mere few yards out.
Now with the score at 3-0, Whitehall was denied his hat-trick by Urwin who, in splendid fashion, diverted the ball away from goal from close range with the help of an outstretched boot. This missed opportunity to further extend the lead almost and should have been capitalised on by the Magpies as substitute David Moyo was allowed a free header within the box, however the former Barrow striker planted his effort into the palms of Ross Fitzsimons.
This was to be the games last opportunity as after five minutes of additional time McCarrick blew his whistle to signal another three points for United in emphatic fashion.
IRON: Fitzsimons, Ogle, Evans, Boyce, Clunan, Roberts, Butterfield, Scales (Kelly, 80), Smith (Law, 74), Denton, Whitehall (Elliott, 74).
IRON SUBS: Kouogun, Shrimpton.