The last time we played Scunthorpe United was in Spring 2017. Spring. 2017. 5 years since we last played what feels like one of our most highly played teams possibly of the past ten years. That game came during an exciting climax to a League One season that saw us, our hosts and Bolton Wanderers in a three way tussle for the title and saw Scunny visit The Lane and come away with a fairly lucky point after a 1-1 draw. Since that day both teams have taken completely different routes in journeys around the leagues. United went up to the Championship that season then eventually went one step further into the Premier League before we were eventually relegated back to the Championship after two years in the top flight. Scunthorpe on the other hand have gone much the opposite way and went from the precipice of the Championship to out of the football league with relegation from the Football League happening this past year. It's fair to say it's been an eventful five years for both clubs since we last met on that Spring day back in 2017. But enough looking back at the past, let's look instead at the present and our third pre-season friendly.
The starting XI for United was similar to the team that started the first 60 minute game against Lincoln on Tuesday with new boy Ciaran Clark starting on the bench. There was a very Sheffield United feel to the Scunthorpe starting line-up with Marcus Dewhurst starting between the sticks a few days after his loan move to Scunny was finalised. Also starting for Iron yesterday was Elliot Whitehouse and apparently Scunny's assistant manager is one Tony McMahon. United had an early effort go careening over the bar when Broadbent curled in a cross that Max Lowe met unmarked at the back post but that he could only turn over the bar from close range. The match then settled into a bit of a lull with neither team threatening the goal and a few niggly fouls creeping in. Scunthorpe began to assert themselves on the game and this eventually lead to them getting the opening goal of the afternoon. Broadbent whiffed on a clearance from a cross which Daniel capitalised on and slotted home to give our hosts the lead. United did almost get an instant reply from a Fleck corner but Dewhurst was equal to Robinson's effort and turned it around the post for a corner. United did probe for the leveller but never really got a clear look on goal with Scunny reducing us to half chances. Scunthorpe's rear-guard action was rewarded just after the half hour mark when a cross field pass found Beestin free as a bird in our box and the forward slammed home to double the visitors lead. Scunthorpe had the bit between their teeth now and, incredibly, found a third just before half time when O'Malley crossed in to an unmarked Daniel who's cushioned header flew past Amissah to finish off what was an extremely humbling half for the Blades. Iliman Ndiaye came on for Will Osula at the break as United looked to salvage something out of a very disappointing day results wise. United did start to play some of the one touch quick passing that has served us well so far this pre-season. Ndiaye, Broadbent and Coulibaly all combined which eventually saw Coulibaly sky the ball over the bar from just inside the box. Max Lowe was next to test Dewhurst with the United loanee producing a good save that dropped to Jebbison who's backheeled finish trickled narrowly wide of the post. Norwood came on for the impressive Arblaster just after the hour with the ex Northern Ireland international shooting wide from outside the box after Ndiaye did good work to set him up. Norwood duly played in Lowe who sent an effort screaming wide just before the 75 minute mark. Scunthorpe nearly get a fourth when Sellars-Fleming saw his deflected towards the bottom right hand corner with Amissah producing a fine save to turn the ball wide. Baldock, Gordon, Clark, Berge and Brewster entered the fray and mere minutes after coming on, these players made an impact. Norwood played the ball to Baldock who worked his way towards the left hand by line with his whipped cross being met by an onrushing Brewster who headed home to reduce the arrears and get his third of pre-season. 5 Minutes later and United had a second when Ndiaye was allowed to duck and dive around the perimeter of Scunthorpe box before curling home an effort from inside the 18 yard box to set up a grandstand finish for the final 12 minutes. United did have half a chance to level five minutes before the end when Berge's prodded effort fell to Brewster who may have snatched at his chance a little bit with his chance sailing high and wide of the target. Scunthorpe managed to hang on for the final few minutes however, and despite an improved second half, United fell to a first defeat of pre-season. Pre-season is a time to try new things and integrate new players into the squad for the coming season so losing a game in pre-season is far, far away from the end of the world and it's highly likely that half (probably more) of the squad that started the game yesterday will play a part in the opening day fixture in a couple of weeks time at Watford. The first half was still very disappointing to watch because it was just very flat. To be fair, it wasn't even fully the fault of the more junior players in the squad who contributed more towards our collapse. Our back three struggled with balls over the top and looked second best against forwards who were clearly more up for it then they were. Oli Arblaster was the only really bright spark of that first hour or so with his ball control and movement causing Scunthorpe some early problems. Coulibaly also had his moments but did fade a bit before he was eventually subbed off. The second half was a much better performance and once the more senior players entered the fray in the final fifteen we looked a completely different outfit and could have found an equaliser had we just had a bit more time. Alas, it wasn't to be and a disappointing day was numbed a bit by an encouraging final fifteen minutes. All in all, minutes in the tank, we go again Tuesday at Mansfield. Until next time, UTB.
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AuthorHi my name is John and i will be giving my thoughts on the blades matches and all blades related news in this section Archives
November 2022
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