The Iron’s Under-18s were beaten 4-0 by their Bolton Wanderers counterparts this morning, as we were eliminated from the Youth Alliance Cup Northern at the Quarter-Final stage.
Two goals in each half from the visitors sunk us to defeat, with our focus now quickly returning to EFL Youth Alliance League action next weekend.
Harrison Poulter went closest to opening the scoring during the first 45 minutes, as United broke free down the right hand side, before his goalbound effort was soon thwarted soon after.
Bolton soon took the lead mid-way through the first period, with their forward breaking free on the counter attack after Scunthorpe were caught quickly following our own corner at the other end.
Their lead was soon doubled as the first 45 minutes soon came to a close, with Wanderers seizing on yet another fruitful counter attack.
Competing well across the second period, Poulter again came close as Scunthorpe attempted to get back into the game.
The visitors then struck with a quick one-two to add further woes, making United pay for further missed chances as the game unfortunately got away from.
Ending 4-0 at full-time, Professional Development Phase Coach Rob Watson praised his players output across the 90 minutes, insisting they were made to pay for missed opportunities.
"I thought Bolton were a well drilled academy outfit and they took their chances well throughout the 90 minutes," he began.
"Harrison and Harvey both had chances to give us the lead, but the conditions were difficult and we just got caught on the counter-attack. Well re-focus this week and well try to go again next weekend in the league but credit to Bolton as they were a solid side."
United’s Under-18s return to action next Saturday, as they take on Bradford City in the EFL Youth Alliance League at Appleby Frodingham. Kick-off is set for 11:00 GMT.
IRON: Murtagh; Cunningham, Abraham, Pike; Burden-Whittleton (Hill, 60), Robertson, Larkin (Dickinson, 65), Strouther, Cribb (Corbett, 77); Poulter, Wallace.
UNUSED SUB: Stabler.