It was home play-off action this afternoon for the Iron who welcomed quarter-final winners Chorley FC to the Attis Arena for what was predicted to be an intense clash on Scunthorpe’s home turf.
To get to this semi-final stage Chorley defeated King’s Lynn Town in midweek thanks to a goal from defender Mark Ellis, this victory earned them a trip to a fresh Iron who came into the fixture on the back of a week of preparation.
There was to be just one change made to the Iron’s side who defeated Hereford last weekend as manager Andy Butler opted to grant Danny Whitehall a starting role as he returned from a sickness bug that kept him out of last week’s action. Whitehall replaced inform Irishman Carlton Ubaezuonu who dropped to the bench along with six other Scunthorpe substitutes as the usual limit was increased for the fixture due to competition rules.
After a remarkable pre-match atmosphere that set the tone for proceedings the game was set underway with both teams looking nervy in the early exchanges.
Despite the tension around the stadium throughout the early exchanges the home support wouldn’t be made to wait long for the opening goal of the game when United flooded forward with serious attacking intent. When Cal Roberts and Alfie Beestin linked up down the right-flank the space would open up for Beestin to whip a floated cross towards the back post, the cross was dangerous and would bounce Infront of Chorley defender Adam Blakeman appearing to hit the full-backs hand. However, referee Dean Watson allowed play to continue which allowed Whitehall to get a touch on the loose ball, steering it past the Chorley goalkeeper and into the net for 1-0.
Most had predicted that an early goal would be a decider in this fixture in the build-up, but this wasn’t to be the case as within a matter of minutes the scores would be levelled up by the visitors. The Magpies are renowned for their set-piece ability and would prove it once again when their first one of the day resulted in the equaliser, it was a dangerous ball to the back post that found the goal scorer Kole Hall who nodded the ball beyond Ross Fitzsimons.
Following the leveller the Iron would get back to basics and begin to control proceedings. After controlling the ball for some time possession would make its way from right to left as a direct switch of play was misjudged by Adam Henley and allowed Tyler Denton to run in behind the Chorley defence. From a wide-angle Denton would look to smash a volley on target that appeared to be soaring into the top corner until it landed in the side netting, much to scrambling goalkeeper Matt Urwin’s relief.
This would act as a warning shot from United who would come forward again in clinical fashion with 22 minutes on the clock. One goal for the afternoon wouldn’t be enough for Whitehall who would double his tally with a composed finish from inside the area. It was Roberts the provider as he somehow beat the Magpies offside trap before chopping inside to tee up the forward, and Whitehall was never in doubt to mark his return with a goal.
With the score at 2-1 a third goal to give Butler’s boys the cushion they deserved was to be crucial and the dream would soon become a reality when Beestin’s winding run from off the left-flank allowed him to drive into the penalty area. With his head raised to pick the perfect pass the versatile forward would spot the disguised run of Roberts in the area and when the ball eventually found him, Roberts would apply a fantastic finish by steering the ball beyond Urwin and into the bottom corner.
This would be the final action of the first period and despite the two-goal advantage there was nerves around the stadium with the possibility of a play-off final with touching reach.
To begin the second-half the Magpies goal was clear as day with Andy Preece’s side flooding forward looking for a route back into the game. However, after George Horbury’s early chance flew wide of the target from the edge of the area the Iron did a perfect job of keeping Chorley out with a brilliant physical display.
The game would remain without any major chances until the 67th minute, the next goal was to be massive for the outcome of the remainder of the game and it would be United who found it through substitute Carlton Ubaezuonu. After receiving the ball on the half-way line with his back to goal, Ubaezuonu turned his marker and set off on a surging run towards the Chorley penalty area. Once he'd made it inside his oppositions box he would chop the ball onto his stronger left-foot and produced a sensational strike into the bottom corner to strengthen Scunthorpe’s lead.
With just over 10 minutes remaining, Chorley were in desperate search of a goal to give them hope and after several attempts that failed to bring them joy, they would finally find a second in the scrappiest of fashions. After substitute Mo Touray’s strike was well saved by Fitzsimons from almost point-blank range, a scramble would ensue with both teams desperate for two different outcomes. However, the Bermudan forward Hall would find himself with an inch of room and helped the ball home to reduce the deficit.
With the lead reduced to just two goals Scunthorpe could’ve crumbled under the pressure, although they are a side with unquestionable character and went about reducing Chorley to minimal chances perfectly.
Although the defending became desperate at times United would stand firm right up until the final whistle and would eventually be granted their passage to the play-off final after a special performance from a special Scunthorpe team.
IRON: Fitzsimons, Kelly, Kouogun (Boyce, 43), Evans, Clunan, Beestin ( Brogan, 90), Whitehall (Fadera, 82), Roberts (Ubaezuonu, 44), Rowley, Starbuck, Denton (Scales, 67).
IRON SUBS: Campbell, Fishburn.
