The Iron were looking to bounce straight back to the summit of the National League North table this evening following last weekend’s disappointing 3-2 defeat against Southport.

Scunthorpe’s opponents for the evening were travelling specialists Farsley Celtic who, due to unforeseen circumstances, haven’t competed in a single game at their home stadium the Citadel all season long.

For the encounter with the Celts, Iron first team manager Andy Butler chose to alter his side from the previous fixture by making two alterations across the pitch. Firstly, central defender Maxim Kouogun dropped out of the side and onto the bench where he would be replaced by the Rolls Boyce (Andrew Boyce) who made his return to the starting XI. Elsewhere, striker Sam Fishburn who was unlucky not to start against Southport was inducted back into the starting side instead of energetic midfielder Kian Scales.

To the surprise of the supporters under the lights of the Attis Arena, United started proceedings under an onslaught of early Farsley pressure that included some cheap set-pieces that emerged in promising positions. 

One of these previously mentioned set-plays was a very unnecessary free-kick that Scunthorpe had conceded on the edge of their penalty area. With only one thought on his mind midfielder Danny Greenfield stood over the ball for the Celts and casually strode up to the ball from 20 yards. However, the eventual effort was lacklustre from the former Gateshead man as the shot sailed far over the crossbar in what was a wasted opportunity.

Following that early exchange Scunthorpe chose to immediately spark into life and apply an unwavering confidence to their play across the pitch. The Iron would use this confidence to help them acquire the first goal of the game in the 13th minute, the goal would come from another one of Brad Nicholson’s monstrous throw-ins that in similar fashion to the weekend found the head of Danny Whitehall in the box, on its way to Whitehall the ball bounced over the head of young goalkeeper Tom Wooster and left the in-form striker with an easy header home.

Now with a 1-0 advantage the Iron were playing with the license to attack in search of a quick fire double and they wouldn’t have to wait long for it as again the United fans were sent into the rafters. It was this time Cal Roberts who would add to his impressive contributions return for the season so far. After picking up the ball midway into the Celts' half he would drive forward at lightning speed before sending a thunderous strike towards Wooster who mistimed his dive. From that point onward all the Manchester United loanee could do was watch the ball bounce over him and into the bottom right corner to make it 2-0.

With the half progressing swimmingly for Scunthorpe they were met with a brief spell of Farsley dominance that would force Butler’s side into defending valiantly to protect their advantage. On several occasions the Celts would come close, firstly an opportunity would arise for a long-ranged effort of their own as Ryan Watson picked up the ball and stung an ambitious strike towards Ross Fitzsimons in between the Scunthorpe sticks who was made to make an important stop to his right.

As the half was coming towards it’s end the Iron would rub salt into Farsley’s wounds with a third first period goal that would top off a superb opening display from the hosts. An exquisite pass down the line from Roberts was latched onto by the bombarding run of Ross Barrows down the right, once he’d caught up with the ball Barrows swung a pinpoint cross towards the back post where Tyler Denton was waiting to skilfully sting an effort at Wooster, the shot seemed to be heading just wide of the target if not for the influence of Fishburn who was rewarded for his recent performances with a tap in.

After the half-time break had been and gone United came out fresh and firing after the restart and more than picked up from where they left off with some fast-paced attacks that were complete with cunning intent from Scunthorpe’s strike force.

Despite the fact Butler’s side were attacking they were still venerable to a Celtic counterattack of which occurred in the 53rd minute through former Aston Villa forward DJ Campton-Sturridge as he was dispatched down the right-hand side of the Iron penalty area and flashed an effort across the face of goal that was palmed away by Fitzsimons to quickly extinguish the attack.

The Iron were in complete control of proceedings and there were chances a plenty to add to the home fans entertainment. The first major chance of the period for United was manufactured by substitute Carlton Ubaezuonu as the Irishman almost fantastically added to his side's lead from the edge of the area as his skilful spin was almost completed with a finessed shot that dipped marginally wide of the far post from a tight angle.

Although Scunthorpe were made to wait until the 70th minute of action to extend their lead, they would do so from the penalty spot. Whitehall crafted and dispatched the spot kick for his side as he was tussled to the ground in the area by defender Sam Fielding who denied a certain goal by shoving over the striker. From 12 yards Whitehall is rarely in doubt and made himself club top scorer by sending Wooster the wrong way with a calmly taken penalty.

4-0 was a perfect way to bounce back from the weekend’s misfortune but little would the home faithful know that goals were still to come in the game’s latter stages. It would be a first competitive goal for the club for Max Brogan that would make Farsley pick the ball out of their net again as he finished off his dazzling footwork from the edge of the box by toe-poking the ball beneath the onrushing goalkeeper to extend his team’s commanding lead.

It appeared that the night couldn’t get much better for Scunthorpe but only it would as a sensational team performance was rounded off in additional time. This time it was a defender that got in on the goalscoring action and Will Evans repaid the managers faith in him but nodding home from close range, Roberts’s claimed the assist for the sixth as his curled cross flew over all Farsley head’s and landed on what appeared to be the shoulder of Evans who wheeled away in celebration despite the substitute Kouogun’s claims of a final touch.

A year but a week on from the Iron’s 6-0 league win over Spennymoor, United restored supporters faith with a thumping victory over the Celts and the win would see them regain their place at the top of the National League North tree.

IRON: Fitzsimons, Nicholson, Evans, Boyce, Clunan (Scales, 65), Beestin (Brogan, 61), Whitehall (Kouogun, 75), Roberts, Fishburn (Ubaezuonu, 56), Denton (Kelly, 61), Barrows.

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