Report: Iron 2-2 Oxford City

The Iron had the perfect chance to bounce back to winning ways after recent defeats, this afternoon they faced off against Oxford City.

The visitors came into the game at the foot of the National League North table after a troubling start to their first season back at the sixth tier but would’ve been for an improvement in form under newly reappointed manager Ross Jenkins. The day was set to be a great occasion with Scunthorpe celebrating a year to the day since local businesswoman Michelle Harness valiantly stepped up with her Board of Directors and saved the club from extinction.

First team manager Andy Butler had been handed a contract extension ahead of the tie with the Hoops and made three changes to his side the was defeated by Guiseley the week prior. Firstly, first-choice shot stopper Ross Fitzsimons was inducted back into the starting XI after a week away as he replaced his understudy Maison Campbell. Next, Butler chose to make a medley of midfield alterations with star man Cal Roberts being brought in to start ahead of workhorse Kian Scales. Lastly, summer signing Joe Rowley was selected for his first start of the campaign as his hard work to recover from a recent back injury appeared to be paying off as he was selected over Fin Shrimpton.

After a heartfelt pre-game presentation, the Hoops got the game underway and set about keeping hold of possession and patiently attempting to cut open the United defence. It was this slow-paced build-up that would cost Jenkin’s side in the fifth minute. Scunthorpe robbed possession deep in their opponent’s half and worked the ball to Roberts on the edge of the area, the former Newcastle winger produced some wonderful footwork to work a yard of space and curled a sublime effort past young keeper Rylee Mitchell to make it 1-0 early on.

Despite the Iron taking a crucial early lead they were unable to expand upon their lead before Oxford would find a way to draw level from a seemingly offside position. A recycled corner would result in the goal as firstly striker Josh Parker who appeared offside nodded the ball across the box to his teammate Corie Andrews who had a simple tap in to level the affairs.

From that point onward began a scrappy encounter with no team taking advantage of any possession they gained. However, United did a more than acceptable job of limiting their opponents’ chances whilst creating some of their own.

After a having a valid penalty shout waved away by referee Joe Moss, Scunthorpe continued to push forward and created a glorious chance for a certain goal late in the half. Right wing-back Ross Barrows found a yard of space on his flank and whipped an astounding ball to the back post where Danny Whitehall was waiting to connect with a headed effort that seemed destined for the far corner only for it to clip the post and go behind.

This would bring the first half proceedings to an end but not the action as after the whistle the teams would exchange words in the tunnel given the first half’s physical affairs.

The Iron’s first goal had come in the half’s opening minutes, and they would replicate this in the second period through the same player. After winning a free-kick on the edge of the box Roberts would collect the ball and stand over the set-piece, Roberts strode up to the ball and looped an effort that clipped the wall on its way to goal and wrong-footed Mitchell, hence the ball went spinning into the goal to restore Scunthorpe’s lead.

With the lead back in their grasp United needed to push forward for a third and would come close on a number of occasions as their fast-flowing attacks were causing all manner of issues for the Oxford defence. The first of the previously mentioned chances would be Roberts’ opportunity to claim his hat-trick when he created a great chance for himself. After a quick shift of feet in the area the midfielder skinned several defenders and stung a sliding shot across goal that went just wide.

Another chance would present itself to the Iron mere minutes after the Roberts chance as he this time turned provider as he crossed a beautiful ball to the back post where Whitehall was waiting again, for the second time in the game the striker failed to convert his headed effort as he stung a header straight into the palms of Mitchell from a golden position.

For the remaining 20 minutes the Iron found themselves in survival mode as countless Oxford attacks were swept away and cleared as they searched desperately for an equaliser. However, it became apparent it was only a matter of time before a goal would arrive and it would do so in the 94th minute of the game. Some hard work from veteran striker Josh Parker meant that he could cross a deep ball to the back post that found substitute Aaron Drewe who nodded the ball past Ross Fitzsimons to equalise with virtually the last kick of the game.

Soon after the referee would signal another game without a win for Scunthorpe, however they were unfortunate not to have done so as they fell short at the final hurdle despite their strong willed display.

IRON: Fitzsimons, Nicholson, Boyce, Evans, Clunan, Beestin (Fishburn, 57) Whitehall (Law, 90) Roberts (Shrimpton, 77) Rowley (Scales, 57), Denton (Kelly, 83), Barrows.