Scunthorpe United FC

Scunthorpe United returned to winning ways, with a 1-0 victory over Fleetwood Town on Saturday.

Paddy Madden got the winner for the Iron, midway through the second half.

There were two alterations from Tuesday’s game with Walsall, as new loan signing Tommy Rowe came in for Kevin van Veen and David Mirfin replaced Jamie Ness. Jack King moved into the midfield.

Elsewhere, things were left as they were. Luke Daniels continued in goal, with Scott Wiseman, Mirfin, Murray Wallace and Scott Laird making up a four man defence. Stand-in captain King played alongside Neal Bishop in the centre of the park and new addition Rowe was part of an attacking trio which also included Gary McSheffrey and Joe Lolley. Madden was once again the loan frontman.

It was United who created the first opportunity of the match, as Bishop glanced a header just wide in the 11th minute, after Laird had crossed from the left flank.

The returning Bobby Grant also went close early on, but despite getting the better of Wiseman on the by-line, the former Iron man could only place his shot straight at Daniels, who saved comfortably.

King almost put United ahead in the 27th minute, with a close range header. The number 18 made space for himself in the area after McSheffrey had whipped in a free-kick from the left, but his header rose fractionally over the crossbar and into the traveling Fleetwood fans behind the goal.

As the half moved into its final ten minutes, Mark Robins’ side were looking the most likely to get their noses in front. The visitors had problems containing Lolley on the right-hand side, who continued to cause panic in the Fleetwood backline.

The home side continued to probe for an opener, but couldn’t break down a resilient Cod Army defence. Subsequently, things were level as the half time whistle was sounded.

Robins opted to change things at the break, as Wallace was replaced by Dutchman van Veen.

Despite the attacking change, it was the visitors who started the second period on the front foot. Declan McManus forced Daniels into a smart save shortly after the restart, after hitting a venomous shot from just inside the area.

The attacker was at it again moments later, this time he attempted to chip the Iron shotstopper, but he couldn't get enough elevation on his effort. This meant the stop was a relatively easy one for Daniels.

After being frustrated for a large amount of the game, United finally made the breakthrough on 68 minutes, thanks to Madden. The Irishman darted across the near post and flashed the ball home, after the ever dangerous Lolley had picked him out. That would be Lolley's last contribution, as shortly after he was replaced by Tom Hopper.

It was a goal which was deserved, as even though Robins' men hadn't threatened for much of the second half, they always had a measure of control on proceedings prior to Madden's strike.

United were professional in the closing stages, restricting the visitors to very few opportunities. The best of which came in the 94th minute, as substitute Jamille Matt headed over from six yards out.

Moments later, referee Rob Lewis brought an end to proceedings and delight amongst the Iron players was clear to see, as they got back on track after a frustrating few weeks.

TEAM LINE-UPS
Scunthorpe United: Daniels, Wiseman, Wallace (van Veen 46), Mirfin, Laird, Bishop, King, Rowe, McSheffrey, Lolley (Hopper 72), Madden.
Substitutes not used: Anyon, McAllister, Adelakun, Goode, Clarke.

Fleetwood Town: Maxwell, McLaughlin, Bell, Ryan, Grant, Nirennold, McManus (Matt 67), Ball (Haughton 67), Sowerby (Sarcevic 74), Wood, Teixeira.
Substitutes not used: Gogic, Proctor, Cartwright, Davis.

Attendance: 3,095 (94 away).

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