17/09/2024
By Chris Gibbs
Cup run ends with defeat at Glanford Park
Scunthorpe United 5, Roberts (25, 71), Barrows (32,68), Beestin (46)
Newcastle Town 0
After seven matches which included three replays and many dramatic turns, our FA Cup run has finally come to an end.
It was always going to be a tough ask at Glanford Park at the home of unbeaten Scunthorpe United, who three years after dropping out of the football league remain a professional club, and perhaps there was a sense that our best chance to get through to the next round may have come and gone after Saturday’s draw.
But at the end of a night which was not without its moments for us, the lads can without doubt hold their heads up high, as even though the scoreline didn’t necessarily reflect it, we gave a terrific account of ourselves once again, despite having to rejig the side with captain Tommy van der Laan deputising at centre half due to the foot injury Kyle Stubbs sustained on Saturday.
Indeed, we had a terrific opportunity to get our noses in front as the very same combination which got us our goal on Saturday teamed up again to cut through the Iron’s defence in the 12th minute. A brilliant turn and pass from Tom Jones put Jake Avery away but his finish, under pressure from a covering defender, was too close to the keeper.
Scunthorpe made four changes from the 1-1 draw on Saturday and it was one of those four changes who gave the Lincolnshire club the lead after 25 minutes. Callum Roberts who came on just as we were dreaming of a giant-killing on Saturday, cut inside a couple of challenges on our defensive left and unleashed a ferocious strike which Slinny – so brilliant on Saturday – could only get fingertips on before it nestled in our net.
Seven minutes later and it was two zip. Tyler Denton, who had a fine game for the home side on the left wing, whipped in a wonderful delivery which Ross Barrows had the simple task of glancing home.
Back we came. A Tom Thorley long throw caused confusion in the Iron’s penalty area and Jake Twyford’s shot was blocked. Then Carlos dos Santos fired wide from a Tom Jones lay off. On the stroke of half time, it looked as if Jake Avery’s brilliant turn and pass would get his strike partner Tom Jones in, but the last defender got back to block in the nick of time.
Whatever hopes we had to get back into the game in the second half were dashed within a minute. Alfie Beestin, whose point blank header was so memorably saved by Slinny on Saturday, found space in our penalty area then swivelled and blasted home Scunthorpe’s third.
Still we strived to get back into the game, Jack Sherratt having two fine efforts the first one tipped over for a corner, the second flashing narrowly wide. But then the superior fitness of the professional club started to tell as Barrows and Roberts added their second goals of the night as the hosts pulled away.
Our heads never dropped even with the job well and truly done for the National League North leaders, but the final 20 minutes played out with the home side managing the game to its end. The scorer of The Iron’s equaliser on Saturday, Brad Nicholson, crashed a header against the bar inside the last ten minutes but it stayed at five.
Tonight was a bridge too far for our lads, but they should be proud of the determination that got them this far. Well done boys.
Team: Slinn, Derbyshire, Ritchie, Sherratt, Thorley, Graham (Baltazar 76), Twyford (Lewis 73), T. Van der Laan, Avery, Jones, (Barry 61), Dos Santos (Byrne 90).
Attendance 1,388
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