The Iron Under-18s played out a 2-1 defeat away at Mansfield Town on Friday afternoon in the EFL Youth Alliance League, with Harrison Poulter netting United’s only goal of the game.
Scunthorpe returned to RH Academy for the second time following the 1-1 draw earlier in the month against the hosts.
Ty Sellars-Fleming, who opened the scoring for the Iron in the previous fixture, was made unavailable for the fixture due to loan commitments with Gainsborough Trinity.
Our hosts quickly levelled the game up in the 29th minute through striker McKeal Abdullah, who netted against the Iron in the previous fixture too, on the counter.
The Stags followed up their equaliser with the eventual winner just before half time in the 40th minute when Abdullah secured his brace.
Similar to Mansfield’s first, United were hit on the counter for the Stag’s second as Abdullah rounded off the attack with a shot into the left-hand corner from close range.
Speaking following the defeat, Professional Development Phase Coach Rob Watson said: “We had a number of chances, especially in the first half, but didn’t really put them away.
“Nat [Wallace] has come in and done really well since his loan, (Charlie) Burden-Whittleton put a big chance wide too.
“I am quite pleased with the performance that we gave but a little bit disappointed with the result despite the fact that Mansfield were a very good side.”
Under-16s’ Oakley Hill and Under-15s’ Dylan Corbett both received minutes this afternoon as they continue to take a big step-up to play above their age.
Speaking on those appearances, Watson added: “It’s really good that academy can get young players on pitch, both of which who came on and did really well."
The Iron Under-18s return to action against Burton Albion in the EFL Youth Alliance League on Saturday, 18th March at Appleby Frodingham, with kick-off set for 11am.
IRON: Murtagh, Elliott-Bell, Abraham (Corbett, 82’), Cunningham (Hill, 75’), Pike, Moore-Billam, Strouther(Larkin, 62’), Robertson, Burden-Whittleton (Dickinson, 75’), Wallace, Poulter.
SUB NOT USED: Stabler.
MANSFIELD: Turner, Anderson, Bonser, Whyle, Wauchope, Carter, Flanagan, Kruszynski, Abdullah, King, Kokkinos.
SUBS: Avery, Hamilton, Hartmann, Organ, Walsh.