It was a return to National League North action for the Iron, as they travelled to the seaside to face Seadogs Scarborough Athletic in a highly anticipated encounter.

Both outfits came into the fixture off the back of FA cup replays in midweek and would be hoping to continue their positive starts to the campaign at the Flamingo Land Stadium.

First team manager Andy Butler had limited attacking options to choose from for the game and would name four natural central defenders in his starting XI. However, despite this defensive-minded selection, powerhouse Will Evans slotted seamlessly into defensive midfield over Fin Shrimpton who dropped to the bench. The only other alteration to the Scunthorpe line-up was between the posts as after two consecutive starts youngster Maison Campbell was replaced by first choice shot stopper Ross Fitzsimons.

The visiting Iron would get the game underway with a long hoof forward and kickstart some nervy early exchanges for both sides. Possession was hard to come by early on as an extended game of head tennis would ensue across the pitch.

After an underwhelming first 15 minutes the first chance would fall to the Iron. The opportunity was hand crafted by Cal Roberts who effortlessly weaved his way through the Boro defensive line on the left of the area and worked space for the shot, on his weaker foot Roberts sent his effort across the face of goal but it dropped just wide of the target.

Former Whitby winger Harry Green had looked dangerous so far in the tie and would be rewarded for his offensive efforts in the 18th minute when the hosts took the lead. A long ball down the line dispatched Green who saw the disguised run of league top scorer Dom Tear at the back post. Green swung a sensational cross into the area that found the outstretched boot of Tear who easily tapped the ball home for 1-0.

Now behind in the game Scunthorpe were being forced to search for an equaliser but were finding it hard to break down the Seadogs backline that continued to stand firm for the remainder of the first half.

Before referee Thomas Wilson could signal for half-time Scunthorpe would forge one final half chance. Iron skipper Michael Clunan was the creator as he brilliantly shifted his feet in the middle of the pitch to remove three Scarborough players from the occasion and then lifted an ambitious attempt toward the back peddling Ryan Whitely that unfortunately fell just wide of the target.

After the restart, United seemed a much braver attacking outfit and proceeded to flood forward in numbers. It was this willingness to attack that allowed an early chance to present itself to striker Alfie Beestin as he strode in behind to meet a Cal Roberts through ball but could only drive his effort into the palms of Whitely.

With Scunthorpe flooding forward in numbers of chances for the hosts to counterattack were always going to emerge and would do so on the 60-minute mark. After some swift build up play the ball worked its way to Green on the edge of the area, the ball enticingly sat up for the forward from 20-yards and he ferociously struck a volley at Fitzsimons that dipped marginally dipped over the crossbar. 

The Iron were now in control of the encounter and were playing some entertaining football inside their opponents final third, the introduction of striker Sam Fishburn had also strengthened United’s attacking threat when he brilliantly held up the ball in the area and laid it off to Tyler Denton, the wing-back’s first touch was wayward but somehow landed at the feet Clunan who was one on one with the keeper. In what was the best chance of the game Clunan bared down on goal but saw his eventual shot be denied by the outstretched Whitely.

With the game coming to its end a chance would emerge out of seemingly nowhere for the hosts to extend their advantage as a lofted ball to the back post fell to the feet of Ritchie Bennett at the back post and from point blank range the former Scunthorpe striker fluffed his chance by firing his shot straight at Fitzsimons.

Deep into added time with the Iron still desperately scrambling for an equaliser a moment of controversy presented itself when Whitley, who had already been cautioned for time-wasting, caught the ball outside of his area. The referee didn’t dismiss the former York keeper and only gave a free-kick which was driven into the 10-man Scarborough wall.

Immediately after the chaos had calmed down the final whistle sounded, and the Iron were condemned to their first defeat of the league campaign on a day that ultimately didn’t go in United’s favour with the hosts running out deserved winners.

IRON: Fitzsimons, Nicholson, Kouogun, Evans (Brogan, 72), Boyce, Clunan, Beestin, Roberts, Scales (Fishburn, 60), Denton (Rowley, 85), Barrows.

IRON SUBS: Kelly, Shrimpton

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