Report: Iron 3-1 Chester

It was to be a ginormous encounter at the Attis Arena this afternoon as the Iron welcomed title rivals Chester FC for a record-breaking fixture in the National League North that saw Scunthorpe set a new attendance record of over 8,000 spectators that flocked to the Arena to see the highly anticipated battle.

In terms of United’s team news for the afternoon there was two forced changes to Andy Butler’s side that was unfortunately defeated by Kidderminster in midweek. These alterations would come in the form of a straight swap at right-back as the injured Ollie Rose dropped out of the squad for experienced back-up Michael Kelly. The other change to starting XI would come in the form of a change to the Iron’s strike force with an injection of pace being added up front as Mark Beck dropped down to the bench to be replaced by returning winger Alfie Beestin.

To start proceedings, it became instantly that neither side wanted to make a mistake on the grand stage as both teams appeared to be reserving their quality for later in the game, keeping possession where possible and barely making inroads into their opposition’s half.

When the dust from the electric team walkouts had settled the Iron finally set about trying to impose themselves onto the visiting Seals with a number of fast paced attacks that almost caused problems for the Chester defence, along with this came several impressive set-pieces that were sure to have worried youthful goalkeeper Callum Storer who was forced into early action.

After having an early penalty shout waved away by referee Declan Brown the first real chance of the game would be crafted by the hosts who broke at pace towards the Scunthorpe back line. It would be midfielder Iwan Murray who the ball would fall to on the edge of the Iron penalty area, but the creative man would snatch at his shot and lash his volley marginally wide of Ross Fitzsimons’s far post.

After an initial half an hour of football that saw few real opportunities the opening goal of the game would come through Scunthorpe’s Mr Reliablem, Cal Roberts, who was never in doubt to pop up with a big game goal. After Carlton Ubaezuonu’s surging run forward was halted by the Chester defence possession would bounce into the path of Roberts at a tight angle who thrashed the ball beyond Storer and into the top corner to open the scoring.

For the remainder of first-half proceedings the Iron would just hold onto their newly formulated lead and would take the advantage into half-time with hopes of breaking down their opponents further in the second period.

Following the break United would make an impressive start to proceedings and were well and truly putting on a show for their supporters when attacking. This pressure would result in a fantastic chance to start the half as Beestin’s high pressure would present Roberts with space to shoot inside the Chester box, when he eventually managed to pull the trigger Roberts’ shot was well blocked by defender Harrison Burke and Ubaezuonu’s rebound from close range was somehow wrapped round the far post and behind for a goal-kick.

This opportunity would tee up Scunthorpe to push on and get their second goal of the afternoon and they would do it in the most extraordinary of fashions. The goal would be scored by the full-back Kelly who was playing out of his skin on the day. After picking up possession 20 yards from goal, Kelly would open up and carry out the fans wishes by wrapping a sublime curling effort around Storer who could only watch as the ball cushioned in the back of the net to make it 2-0.

After the second goal Scunthorpe would begin to sit back to try and see out the victory. They would almost be made to regret this approach when Chester man Connor Woods came close to halving the deficit after a powerful drive forward resulted in him finding space to send an effort towards goal, when the ball left Woods’s foot time appeared to stop still until the ball suddenly curled wide of the target; much to Fitzsimons’ relief.

With time running out for visitors to get a goal back at the Attis Arena the Iron would finally put their opponents to the sword thanks to an almost immediate impact from substitute Mo Fadera. Following a long ball forward from Roberts to release the Gambian winger in behind the Chester defence, Fadera would bring the ball under his spell and chop towards goal. After beating defender Kevin Roberts, Fadera would smash the ball beyond Storer to kickstart the celebrations on Community Day.

With the game in its closing stages and the Seals defeated on their travels the Iron’s defence would finally be breached for nothing but a consolation. Despite it taking away another clean sheet for United they couldn’t deny that Kurt Willoughby’s free kick was one of tremendous skill as it beat the wall and Fitzsimons to reduce the scoreline to 3-1.

Soon after this action the game would be brought to its end by Brown who signalled his whistle to give Scunthorpe a crucial victory on home turf and a massive three points in the hunt for promotion to the National League.

IRON: Fitzsimons, Kelly, Kouogun, Evans, Clunan (Boyce, 90+1), Beestin (Fadera, 77), Roberts (Williams, 90+1), Rowley, Ubaezuonu (Beck, 68) Scales, Denton (Starbuck, 90+1).

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