REPORT: Iron 2-3 Woking

Following an impressive performance and victory at Boston United in the FA Cup last time out, Andu Butler’s Iron would look to take the confidence of the result into the league this afternoon against a Woking side who were looking to establish some form of their own despite an ongoing injury crisis within their ranks.

With regard to the team news for the encounter, there was a single change to the Iron's starting XI as striker James Gale, who impressed during last weekend's victory over Boston United in the FA Cup, was deemed unfit with a hamstring injury, being replaced by natural winger Pat Jones, who had also impressed during his cameo appearance up front against the Pilgrims.

When proceedings were set underway under the unforgiving conditions of storm Boelo, the Iron would make a bright start to the fixture on home turf with several early attacks that were well dealt with by the Woking backline.

Despite the start, Scunthorpe would find themselves behind within the opening ten minutes as a wayward back pass from Dan Batty was placed directly into the feet of experienced striker Aiden O’Brien, who had been in an offside position but now found himself legally through on goal, bearing down on Maison Campbell, who tried his best to stop the shot, deflecting the ball into the back, tracking Will Evans and into the net for 1-0.

Following the opener, Scunthorpe would get back on the front foot, attacking towards an equaliser; this was until the 23rd minute when the visitors were granted another free hit when wide-man Nathan Paul-Lavley collected possession from a throw-in before driving at Evans, whose mistimed slide tackle saw the Woking man hit the deck, resulting in a penalty for the Cards.

From the resultant spot kick, former Doncaster Rovers forward John Marquis stepped up to the plate, continuing his astonishing goal-scoring form in the league with a low strike into the bottom corner to make it 2-0, leaving Campbell with no chance.

In the minutes that followed this goal, the Iron would come close to gaining the crucial next goal when a hopeful ball into the area saw Kyle Hurst peel away from his marker, emerging from a crowd to connect with a volley towards the bottom corner that was well struck, forcing a save from goalkeeper Will Jaaskelainen, who sprang down to push the ball clear.

With over 30 minutes on the clock, Scunthorpe would be forced into defensive duties again as Woking proceeded to flood forward down the right. As a low cross was whipped across the area and into the path of O’Brien at the back stick, who had the whole goal to aim for before somehow diverting the ball back across goal, giving United enough time to recover and clear.

For the remainder of the first half it would be a case of Scunthorpe desperately searching for a route back into the tie; however, there would be no goal before the break as referee Gareth Thomas brought the opening period to an end.

Following the restart, United would again make a fast start to proceedings and very nearly found a quick-fire goal when an impressive switch of play allowed for Joe Starbuck to receive the ball in the area, composing himself with a progressive touch before lashing the ball across the face of goal and forcing the goalkeeper to push it around the post.

Despite Scunthorpe appearing on top in the game, things would go from bad to worse in the blink of an eye as United found themselves three goals down after a route-one ball from a goal kick was allowed to bounce to John Marquis in behind the defensive line, seemingly untracked as he advanced towards the target, putting the ball on a plate for the supporting O’Brien, who got his second with a simple finish.

As the game passed the hour mark, the Iron would be given their best chance yet to get back in the game when Will Evans was fouled inside the Cards penalty area, getting back to his feet after the decision and earning a headbutt out of Rico Browne for his troubles, resulting in a straight red for the Woking defender.

Stepping up to take the spot-kick would be James Norwood, who confidently set up to try and bring United back within two; however, his penalty was a good height for the substitute shot stopper Vicente Reyes, who did extremely well to push the shot wide of the target.

Despite being denied from the spot, Norwood would get another chance to redeem himself just a matter of moments later as a low driven shot from Hurst on the edge of the area was fumbled by the Chilean Reyes, dropping the ball directly into the path of Norwood, who poked home to give the Iron a lifeline.

Following the goal, Scunthorpe would have a golden chance to get a quick-fire second as Woking were beginning to panic, playing risky passes across their defence, one of which was perfectly weighted into the pressing Tyler Denton on the edge of the box, who opted to take his shot first time, driving a half volley straight at Reyes, who caught the effort with ease.

As the Iron continued to knock on the Cards door, the visitors would have a chance of their own to put the game to bed when Paul-Lavaly was released in behind the defence with a lovely weighted through ball, although Tyler Denton was covering the run; the Woking wide man hauled him back with a tug of the shirt, allowing him to get in front, bearing down on the goal before looking to dink an effort over the onrushing Campbell, crashing the ball against the upright and allowing United to escape.

With time advancing at the Attis Arena, Scunthorpe would have two major chances prior to the 80th minute mark as first Norwood latched onto a deep cross at the back post, driving an effort across the floor and narrowly wide of the far post with his weaker foot.

This all came before Kyle Hurst was brilliantly denied by the outstretched Reyes after the attacking midfielder latched onto a perfect knock-down from Norwood to open up the Woking defence.

With 84 minutes played the Iron would finally find the second goal they had been searching for an with it a glimmer of hope of earning something from the game after they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area. Standing over the set-piece would be second-half sub-Luke Brennan, who stepped up to the free-kick and whipped a sensational curling effort around the wall and into the bottom corner to reduce the deficit.

Despite the fourth official granting United ten minutes of additional time to try and secure anything from the game, it wasn’t to be for Butler’s boys who, despite a valiant effort late on, ultimately fell short due to some strong-willed defending from the visitors late on as they held on to take all three points.

IRON: Campbell, Belehouan, Evans, Norwood, P. Jones (Beestin, 58), Ashbee, Batty (Parker, 83), Hurst, Richards (Butterfield, 75), Starbuck (Brennan, 75), Denton (Clayton, 83)

IRON SUBS: L. Jones, Barrows