Match Report: South Shields 0-2 Scunthorpe United

South Shields were left disappointed on Bank Holiday Monday, as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at 1st Cloud Arena against promotion hopefuls Scunthorpe United.

Callum Roberts gave The Iron a well-deserved lead in the 35th minute with a competent strike from inside the box, before Alfie Beestin wrapped things up for the visitors in the 83rd minute. 

Manager Elliott Dickman only made one change from Saturday’s 4-1 win against Oxford City - Will Jenkins wasn’t involved and Ashton Mee took his place in the team.

It was clear to see that Scunthorpe’s quality showed and they were sharp from the off. 

Within 90 seconds, Will Evans had flung the ball so impressively across the pitch but Ross Barrows was unable to get to the end of it for it to be worth something concrete.

Myles Boney threw himself head first onto the ground to prevent Coleby Shepherd’s header from becoming dangerous, with Scunthorpe’s Carlton Ubaezuonu lurking nearby.

Shields remained defensively sound as they weathered an early storm.

The first real opportunity of note for The Mariners came when captain Robert Briggs launched a through ball to Paul Blackett.

If not for the fact that Brad Nicholson had been holding onto the talisman’s shirt before he broke ahead, a proper chance could have materialised there.

Middlemas seemed impressive as he rushed past Barrows before he played it off to Kyle Crossley, whose shot slammed into the side netting.

A wonderful counter-attack on Scunthorpe’s part saw goalscorer Roberts feed it off to Ubaezuonu, who only had Boney to beat but his attempt flew well over the crossbar.

The first goal of the afternoon came when Michael Kelly pinged his long-ranger into the box with fine precision.

After it came off Ubaezuonu and, later, Danny Whitehall, North East native Roberts was there to volley it in.

Although Shields put up a good fight, the game was put beyond any doubt shortly before the final whistle.

Kelly whipped another cross into the box, and just like the first it came off Whitehall before it found Beestin who only needed to head it home.

Shields will be hoping to brush off Monday’s game, as focus turns to Saturday’s trip against a Scarborough Athletic side who will no doubt be feeling hurt by their result away at Chester today.

South Shields: Boney, Okeke, Bramwell, Broadbent, Shepherd, Briggs, Middlemas, Mee (McGowan), Heaney, Blackett, Crossley (Rutledge). 

Unused substitutes: Seymour, Taylor, Sloan. 

Scunthorpe United: Fitzsimons, Nicholson, Kelly, Kouogun, Evans, Clunan, Whitehall (Law), Roberts (Beestin), Ubaezuonu (Brogan), Scales (Denton), Barrows (Fishburn). 

Goals: Roberts (‘35), Beestin (‘83). 

Image credit: Kev Wilson (@KevWilson19)