Scunthorpe fought back from two goals down with an inspired second half performance that was led by striker Danny Elliott who took home the matchball.
In a break from league action, the Iron were in with a chance of winning their first silverware of the season, as they were hoping to become Lincolnshire County Senior Cup champions for the 22nd time. Their opponents for the tie at Lincoln City’s LNER Stadium were to be last season's runners-up of the competition Spalding United, who were taking a break from their league promotion race to try and avenge for their 1-0 defeat to Grantham Town in the final 12 months ago.
First team manager Jimmy Dean decided to heavily rotate his side for the fixture by making ten changes to the side who beat Blyth the weekend prior. The United line-up for the evening was comprised of a mixture of youth and experience as coach Andy Butler partnered the returning Will Evans in the centre of defence. Along with this there were debuts awarded for both shot stopper Dan Langley and versatile midfielder Joe Leesley. The last notable change to the side was the inclusion of right-back Ross Barrows who was brought back from his loan stint at King’s Lynn to feature.
From minute one, the Iron began to take control of the fixture with some swift play down the left-flank. As an early corner was awarded to United, the set-piece was swung into the crowded penalty area and was dominantly won in the air by Evans who planted his firm header into the hands of Tony Breeden who smothered the effort.
Five minutes into proceedings the Tulips took a surprise lead, and it was fairly deserved after a sensational move. A deep cross from wide from Riley O’Sullivan managed to evade all defensive attempts to clear the ball and precisely land on the head of Danny Draper who powerfully nodded the ball past Langley to make it 1-0.
As time progressed Scunthorpe remained in control of possession and appeared to be attempting to tire out their opponents. However, this plan certainly wasn’t going to plan as Spalding managed to double their advantage on 25 minutes. Under seemingly no pressure Bennett again broke the offside trap and teed up James Clifton in the area who rifled the ball beyond Langley to make it 2-0.
As half-time approached with Scunthorpe in hopes of gaining a route back into the game they were presented a chance to do so from a free-kick in a promising area. The only player standing from the weekend was loanee Kai Corbett who stood over the set-piece with a look of confidence. Choosing to shoot Corbett whipped the ball around the wall and drew a sublime save out of the Spalding shot stopper in the half’s last notable action.
After a more than lacklustre first half performance, it became immediately obvious that Dean had laid into his side at the break and had given them a rocket for the second period. This was shown as within a matter of minutes when the Iron saw two efforts swept from off the line. This passage eventually led to the much-needed goal as an attempted clearance from a Spalding defender Nathan Stainfield seemed to end up in the back of his own net, however the stadium announcer awarded the goal to striker Danny Elliott. On review, full-back Barrows may well have stolen it on the line.
With Scunthorpe in search of an equaliser to restore order to the fixture they were instead met with an onslaught of Tulips corners from both sides, however nothing was to come from these opportunities as United defended bravely to keep themselves in touching distance.
With half an hour of action remaining the Iron finally managed to find a way to get the equaliser they most desperately desired. The goal would come from the penalty spot which was awarded after a swift attacking move that saw Tom Pugh drive into the area and take a tumble following an attempted tackle. Elliott would step up to the plate, bamboozling Breeden with his signature stuttered run up and dispatching the ball beyond keeper.
With the scores now level the two sides were locked in a tightly contested encounter that saw chances be exchanged. Spalding however possessed the better of the chances as they had a close ranged free kick from Clifton narrowly miss the mark much to the relief of Langley.
With time running out and penalty’s looming large, the pendulum could’ve proceeded to swing in either team favour and fortunately it tilted to the Iron. A long yet surging run forward from Barrows in defence led to be the perfect advertisement to cement his place in the team for future games as he weaved his way into the final third and slotted a delicate pass into Elliott. With only the keeper to beat Elliott was never in doubt to seal his supposed hat-trick.
For the remaining 10 minutes Scunthorpe kept hold of their well-earned lead to steal the trophy from the holders and secure a 22nd cup win for Dean’s side.
IRON: Langley, Evans, Elliott, McAlinden, Pugh, Scales, Corbett (Beestin, 74) , Sembie-Ferris, Leesley (Law, 62) Butler, Barrows.
IRON SUBS: Fitzsimons, Kouogun, Whitehall.
