The Iron’s Under-18s were held to a 1-1 draw with Harrogate Town on Tuesday in the Youth Alliance League, as Harrison Poulter’s equaliser cancelled out Josh Brodella’s first-half penalty.
Having enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the first half, Tyrell Sellars-Fleming, Charley Strouther and Harry Elliott-Bell all went close to opening the scoring for United.
But moments before the half-time whistle sounded, Finn Abraham fouled the Sulphurites forward in the box, handing the hosts the perfect chance to go ahead before the break.
As the second half began, Josh Robertson’s energy and tenacity were shining through as the Iron attempted to level proceedings. Jack Moore-Billam’s run and strike from range went close just before the hour mark.
Keeping a defensive base throughout, it took United until two minutes before the final whistle to equalise, with Poulter popping up with yet another vital goal.
A long ball from defender Ben Pike was flicked on by Sellars-Fleming into the path of Poulter, who rounded the Harrogate keeper superbly, tapping into an empty net to square the game.
Despite our best efforts late on, the points were shared in North Lincolnshire, with Professional Development Phase Coach Rob Watson praising a fine performance on home soil for his side.
"We are ultimately disappointed to come away with a point against a really tough Harrogate side, given how well we have played across the 90 minutes," he began.
"I thought it was arguably one of our best performances of the season, with the first half in particular a real testament to the hard work and effort these boys put in.
"The ball just wouldn’t go in for us and building from a solid base at the back allowed us to be creative in forward areas. It was just a shame we only found the net once.
"Again, I have nothing but good words to say about the boys and I thought in particular, Josh Robertson was superb throughout today, dragging his team-mates along and setting a strong example throughout."
The Iron Under-18’s return to action next Tuesday against Mansfield Town away from home, 1pm kick-off, in the EFL Youth Alliance League.
IRON: Murtagh; Cunningham, Abraham, Pike; Elliot-Bell, Moore-Billam, Robertson, Lewis, Strouther (Larkin, 66); Sellars-Fleming, Poulter.
SUBS NOTE USED: Oxborough, Burden-Whittleton, Dickinson.