REPORT: Iron 0-2 Harrogate Town

Following a disappointing result and performance against Carlisle United last time out, the Iron returned to Attis Arena action this afternoon in order to face Simon Weaver’s Harrogate Town side, who had so far enjoyed a promising start to life back in the Enterprise National League and were bound to provide a stern test to United, who were eager to return to winning ways.

With regard to the United side for the afternoon, there was a medley of changes to the Iron's starting XI, as first-team manager Andy Butler shifted the formation before shuffling the pack in the back line, bringing in Jean Belehouan for a first start of the season with Tyler Denton missing through injury. Elsewhere, Alfie Beestin came into the Scunthorpe midfield for the injured Jordan Richards, with the final two alterations being made to the forward line as Danny Whitehall returned to the Starting line-up, with Ty Sellars-Fleming granted a first start since returning to the club on loan from Hull City earlier in the week.

When proceedings were set underway by the visitors, United would find themselves under an abundance of early pressure that led to several early chances for the Sulphurites.

With 14 minutes on the clock, Harrogate would turn their early domination to their advantage, leading to the game’s first goal when Will McGowan burst through the centre channel, advancing towards the United defence before letting fly with a remarkable curling strike into the far corner to make it 1-0.

Within minutes of the opener, another chance would open itself up to the visitors as a failed offside trap allowed Sean McClousky to burst in behind the defensive line, one-on-one with Louis Jones, with a square option in support. Ultimately, with all the time in the world to decide, McClousky would make the wrong decision, opting to shoot and rifling an effort over the crossbar from inside the area.

Following this opportunity, Scunthorpe would begin to attack in search of an equaliser, advancing into their opponents’ half and very nearly drawing level when a Jacob Butterfield free-kick delivery found the outstretched boot of Will Evans in the Harrogate area, who diverted the ball towards the target, forcing a splendid low save out of Rory Watson to palm the ball clear.

In the game’s next action, the Iron would appear to have a route back into the game when Danny Whitehall diverted a set-piece knock-down beyond the grasp of Watson with a desperate prod that would’ve resulted in the equaliser if not for the intervention of the assistant referee, who raised his flag to deem Whitehall offside.

As half-time approached with Scunthorpe enjoying their best spell of the fixture, there would be time for one more attack as possession was worked into the feet of Pat Jones on the right flank for United, cutting inside onto his weaker left foot before lashing an effort towards Watson from the edge of the area that the former Iron shotstopper remarkably pushed over the crossbar.

Following a half-time break that would see the Iron needing an early goal if they were to threaten their opponents’ lead, things would go from bad to worse in the first five minutes after the restart as the Sulphurites added a controversial second. After possession originally appeared to go out of play on the far touchline, the whole of the Iron defence would stop expecting the linesman to signal for a throw-in; however, Harrogate forward McClousky would continue to play on, robbing possession from Evans before advancing into the United penalty area, rounding Louis Jones before driving the ball into the bottom corner for his side’s second goal of the afternoon.

Following the goal, Scunthorpe would do as they did in the first half upon going behind, holding the vast majority of the game’s possession despite managing to create little to no clear-cut chances.

This theme would continue until the 76th minute when Hull City loanee Hugh Parker combined with Alfie Beestin on the edge of the visitors’ penalty area to present the chance for Beestin to attempt to strike the ball from range, looking to curl the ball around substitute goalkeeper Mark Oxley, who denied the effort with a comfortable save.

With the encounter in its closing stages, Scunthorpe would be presented the chance to earn a consolation when some high pressing from Jean Belehouan saw him rob possession in the Harrogate final third, driving towards the target with a sea of Claret and Blue shirts Infront of him, opting to slide the ball through to James Gale in the area who failed to get substantial contact on the ball before being crucially tackled by the recovering defender.

Following this attack, the referee would shortly follow with the full-time whistle, condemning United to another disappointing defeat, leaving United requiring a vast improvement in the coming weeks despite an unforgiving fixture schedule.

IRON: L. Jones, Horton, Belehouan, Evans, Beestin, Whitehall (Parker, 63), Rowley (Gale, 63), P. Jones (Brennan, 63), Sellars-Fleming (D. Howe, 76), Butterfield, Barrows (Ashbee, 63)

IRON SUBS: Campbell, Hurst.

ATTENDANCE: 4,465 (273 away)

REFEREE: Lewis B. Smith