Much Promise In Scunthorpe Victory

Logan Stretch

BUXTON (1) 2 SCUNTHORPE UTD (0) 0 ATT 335

'The Bucks' maintained their 100% home record in pre-season friendlies at the 3rd attempt on Tuesday evening versus the strongest opposition yet faced at the Tarmac Silverlands (though without the recently transferred but injured Luke Brennan). 'Iron' were National League play-off contestants last spring and undefeated in their 4 previous pre-season outings, yet were 2nd-best all Tuesday evening with home debutant 'keeper, Logan Stretch (19), on a year's loan from Sheffield Wednesday, not having a save to make. The other debutant, striker Owen Devonport (21) from Fleetwood Town, though not finding the net, played a prominent part in attacks that could have brought Buxton a bagful of goals as the frame of the goal was unproductively struck 3 times while other chances went begging.

The visitors had an array of senior players on show in both halves, a few of whom had been Buxton targets in recent years, with a near-total change of personnel at the 70-minute mark but throughout couldn't match the impressive teamwork of the hosts who lost 'Sammy' Robinson to inlury as early as the 13th minute. In addition, the management tried a change of formation with recent signing Sisa Tuntulwana and Will Trueman deployed as wing-backs after half-time. Even the introduction of 'fresh legs' at 3/4 time provided 'Iron' with no noticeable advantage, such is the fitness already of the home players.

'The Bucks' were soon into their stride while attacking the Ashwood End, with midfielders Ashton Mee and Kian Scales, who left Scunthorpe in May, both in excellent form and in the 18th minute the former displayed dazzling footwork on the right only to hit the far post with a firm drive. That came amidst a purple patch of home attacking which was frequently initiated by the calm authority of ex-Bradford City centre-back, Finn Cousin-Dawson. A trialist, seen previously, forced a finger-tip save out of 'keeper Campbell but then mis-headed a great chance from only 2 yards out. There was some fine approach work on the right and Scales fired fiercely but narrowly wide from 20 yards, yet the seemingly inevitable goal arrived just past the half-hour as Connor Kirby tapped home following Mee's superb work and shot from the right, The same trialist had a good chance of doubling the lead in the 43rd minute when Stretch's long punt down the middle put the attacker clear but Campbell saved with his legs. By then Scunthorpe had begun to offer something of a threat, with Declan Howe looking a threat in front of goal but in vain.

The only home change at the interval had been the introduction of Sisa and within 10 minutes, from a corner-kick, he too hit the post but with a header. He was joined in the game's last quarter by Johnny Johnston and new signing Max Woltman, but it was Cousin-Dawson who made it 2-0 as he volleyed home a 73rd-minute free-kick. Late on Sisa might have made it 3-0 but fired against the legs of experienced ex-Doncaster 'keeper, Louis Jones.

All-in-all this was a very satisfying performance before the squad depart for southern parts and Saturday's challenging friendly versus NLS outfit Dagenham and Redbridge (3 p.m.) The penultimate friendly is next Tuesday, the 28th, at 7-45 at the Tarmac Silverlands when Sheffield Wednesday are the attractive opponents.

Incidentally, Tuesday's friendly was the clubs' 6th meeting (including the abandoned encounter of 2023) and 'Iron' have yet to prevail, adding a little spice to next summer's already-promised re-run (and any cup-tie in the meantime) !