Match Report: Scunthorpe United 1 Yeovil Town 1

A late equaliser saw Yeovil Town have to settle for a point from a trip to Scunthorpe United on the opening game of the season.

After an even first half, the Glovers took the lead when winger Mason Obeng stroked the ball home three minutes in to the second half.

Scunthorpe, who finished in the National League play-offs last season, pressed hard for an equaliser and eventually found one when substitute Luke Brennan lifted the ball in to the net with a minute of normal time playing.

Despite the tinge of disappointment at not being able to hold out for three points, there was plenty to feel positive from Yeovil about in their first competitive outing of the season.

First half

Manager Billy Rowley gave a league debut to nine players with Luke McCormick and Ryan Jones the only members of the starting XI who were at the club last season. One of the recent arrivals Slavi Spasov was preferred to Stephen Walker up front whilst Hayden Muller started in midfield with Brett McGavin among the substitutes.

The opening 15 minutes did not create a chance worthy of a mention but a definite desire from both sides to play the way a beautiful surface deserved. The joy Yeovil found came mostly down the right side with Archie Davies delivering a couple of crosses from the box and a jinking run from Ryan Jones leading to an effort which Scunthorpe keeper Louis Jones needed to be sharp to get down low to deny.

The best chance of the game so far fell to the home side as Pat Jones skipped past Archie Davies and found himself one-on-one with Yeovil keeper Jos Barker who stuck a strong left hand to make an impressive stop to deny him. That save will give the young keeper huge confidence.

Then with five minutes of the first half remaining, another good chance for Scunthorpe. Declan Howe got a ball in from the left, it clipped off the heel of Joe Gubbins and landed invitingly to Jordan Richards but his effort over the bar.

The half-time whistle sounded with the home side having had the better of the opportunities to go ahead, but Yeovil acquitting themselves well.

Half-time: Scunthorpe United 0 Yeovil Town 0

Second half

The half-time break saw Brett McGavin replace Hayden Muller in the heart of midfield.

A Ryan Jones free-kick from out in the right found its way to Mason OBENG on the far post and he was the coolest man inside the penalty area to confidently stroke Yeovil ahead.

Scunthorpe turned the pressure up in search of an instant response with Tyler Denton seeing an opportunity blocked before Ryan Jones took a heavy blow scrambling off the line from a corner. He needed to come off replaced by Johl Powell with James Daly coming on up front in place of Slavi Spasov.

The home side contributed to push forward with a Yeovil body getting in the way of a Danny Whitehall header. Then in the 70th minute, visiting boss Billy Rowley made his final two substitutions with defenders Joy Mukena and Jack Kingdon coming on.

In the 73rd minute, Daly found himself through on goal and was only denied by a superb tackle from Tyler Denton.

Scunthorpe were dominating possession and continuing to press and we found ourselves dropping deep to try and repel the danger. But with a minute of normal time remaining Luke BRENNAN collected the ball on the left of the box and lifted the ball over the head of Jos Barker.

Full time: Scunthorpe United 1 Yeovil Town 1

Substitutes: Brett McGavin (for Hayden Muller, 46), Johl Powell (for Ryan Jones, 64), James Daly (for Slavi Spasov, 64), Joy Mukena (for Luke McCormick, 70), Jack Kingdon (for Archie Davies, 70), Jack Lennon (not used), Stephen Walker (nor used).

Scunthorpe United: Louis Jones, Ross Barrows, Alfie Breslin, Tyler Denton, Will Evans, Callum Howe, Declan Howe, Pat Jones, Jordan Richards, Joe Rowley, Danny Whitehall.