After an extended break from league and playing action, the Iron returned to league action with a trip to the west coast where they would be welcomed to Rossett Park by their hosts for the afternoon Marine AFC.
Scunthorpe came into the encounter on a run of four unbeaten matches in all competitions and were looking to extend that run against the relegation threatened Mariners.
In regard to United’s team news there were multiple changes from the side that drew with Alfreton two weeks prior, and the changes in personnel started in the defence. For the first time this campaign Brad Nicholson started alongside Will Evans in the centre of defence, with Michael Kelly coming into the starting XI at left-back. In the engine room Kian Scales was called back into the line-up for the rested Alfie Beestin and Cal Roberts returned from a recent strain to occupy his familiar number 10 position.
After a change of ends Scunthorpe got proceedings underway but were met with an onslaught of early Marine pressure that allowed the Mariners to establish some chances to start the game.
In the opening minutes the hosts would come close to opening the scoring for the afternoon from a set-piece on the right-flank that was swung across the front of the penalty area and deflected into the path of Iron striker Mark Beck who was unable to get out the way before he sent the ball spiralling into the palms of Ross Fitzsimons which the keeper caught well to diffuse the panic and provide a lucky escape.
The Mariners continued to advance into United’s half and were proving impressive on their home turf. A lofted ball into the penalty area was failed to be cleared by Brad Nicholson and was swept up into the air for Fin Sinclair-Smith to control in the box and attempt a delicious chip over the goalkeeper that was destined for the far corner if not for the crucial intervention of Tyler Denton on the line who flicked the ball over comfortably to keep the scores level.
With Scunthorpe desperately trying to find a foothold on the astroturf pitch it was the hosts who would put the first score on the board through Leigh Whelan. Another sliced clearance from a Scunthorpe defender found its way to a Marine player on the edge of the box and with that Whelan was waiting to hammer the ball past the stranded Fitzsimons for 1-0.
Behind in the game, the Iron were creating half chances to draw level and if not for some better end product they would’ve surely done so through Will Harris whose stunning solo run ended with a heavy-winded touch that took the ball away from him and into goalkeeper Matty Corran.
Prior to the break the hosts would have one final chance to extend their lead by disrupting what little dominance United had started to build. It was Sinclair-Smith again pulling the strings for the Mariners as he wrestled the ball off Evans and attempted to lay the ball back to Whelan for his second, but the late arriving midfielder dragged his shot wide of the far post.
When the sides returned for the second period at the Marine Travel Arena there was much improvement required if United were to rescue any form of points from the fixture.
The Iron supporters were made to wait until beyond the 60th minute of proceedings for a chance to talk about with Marine doing all in their power to deny the travelling Scunthorpe of an equaliser. It was a set-piece that provided Cal Roberts with a golden opportunity to level the scores from a rebound that fell to him in the penalty area for what was seemingly a tap in but he sent the ball soaring over the crossbar.
With time running out for Scunthorpe to forge an equaliser some inspired changes from Andy Butler would provide them with the means to do so. United’s persistence was rewarded in the 80th minute of play when Danny Whitehall was hauled to the floor to deny a certain a tap in from close range. Whitehall stepped up to the penalty spot and continued his impressive record from the spot for his club with a well-placed shot into the bottom corner.
With 10 minutes remaining and the momentum to push on for a winner the Iron would silence their doubters in additional time in emphatic fashion. A hopeful header forward on the half-way line would see Whitehall give chase the loose ball in behind. A Marine defender recovered the ball but instead of clearing possession played it straight into Whitehall’s feet who took a touch to steady himself before lashing the ball into the bottom corner to kickstart the celebrations with mere minutes remaining.
After holding onto their brilliant turn around the Scunthorpe players gathered round the centre circle following the full-time whistle in order to show the togetherness and belief that is instilled into this United side despite outside noise.
IRON: Fitzsimons, Nicholson (Barrows, 73'), Kelly, Evans (Boyce, 54'), Clunan, Roberts (Kouogun, 90+4'), Brogan (Ubaezuonu, 54'), Beck, Scales, Denton, Harris (Whitehall, 67').
