The Iron Under-18s emerged 3-1 victors over Lincoln City on Saturday morning, as goals from Finn Abraham and Tyrell Sellars-Fleming (two) ensured victory in the EFL Youth Alliance League.
Photos by Graham Burrell, Lincoln City.
United took the lead after just 20 minutes played, as a Sellars-Fleming set piece was initially met by Harvey Cribb, with Abraham on hand to prod Scunthorpe ahead early on.
Nullifying Lincoln’s attempts at goal seemed to come at ease for the Iron’s backline as the first half progressed, with the high-flyers frustrated not to find themselves an equaliser.
With 10 minutes to go in the first half, United’s lead was doubled, after some superb individual play from Sellars-Fleming.
The forward drove at the heart of the Imps backline before smashing his effort goalwards, with the City defender turning the ball into his own net, rewarding the forwards strong attacking work.
Harry Lewis and Nat Wallace also had their own chances as the first 45 minutes etched on, with Scunthorpe protecting a two-goal advantage heading into the second period.
Stabler was replaced by Josh Murtagh in goal for the second half, and City’s change of shape to a 4-3-3 did cause the Iron early problems in the second half, with some slick build-up play leading to a couple of half chances for the visitors.
Their efforts were soon rewarded with just over half an hour left to play, as a cross into the area was handled by Cribb as Lincoln pushed on, leaving the referee no choice but to point to the spot.
The Imps forward cooly slotted away his effort to half the deficit, setting up an exciting finish to proceedings.
Sellars-Fleming however again showed superb skill and play to complete the scoring by making it 3-1 with just over 15 minutes to go, creating a neat opening to fire home his second of the game to extend Scunthorpe’s advantage.
Lewis and Wallace again came close to extending our lead as time went on, with the latter narrowly heading wide with just minutes to go.
It did end 3-1 to the Iron, with Professional Development Phase Coach Rob Watson echoing some kind words for his players following the full time whistle.
"It was a really competitive match against a well-drilled and tactically-minded outfit in Lincoln City, who are performing really well so far this season," he began.
"Missing striker Harrison Poulter, we opted to go with Nat Wallace in a more forward role but I thought it was one of the best complete performances I have seen from this group so far.
"The boys worked tirelessly in and out of possession and I keep saying the very same things about this group but they keep delivering week in, week out. I am so pleased with how they played out there today and the result speaks volumes because Lincoln are no push over."
United’s Under-18 side return to action next Saturday, as they face off against Harrogate Town in the EFL Youth Alliance League, kicking off at 11am at Appleby Frodingham.
IRON: Stabler (Murtagh, 45); Cunningham, Abraham, Pike; Burden-Whittleton, Robertson, Cribb, Strouther, Lewis; Sellars-Fleming, Wallace.
UNUSED SUBS: Hill, Dickinson, Larkin.