By Match report: Scunthorpe seal victory at home to Altrincham
Scunthorpe United claimed an important three points at home to Altrincham last night.
Goals from Richie Bennett and Will Smith in the second half were enough to earn the victory for the Iron at Glanford Park.
Jimmy Dean decided to make three changes from the weekend defeat to Eastleigh, with Elliott Whitehouse, Liam Feeney and Cam Wilson all returning to the starting lineup.
It was United that had the first chance of the game when Harvey Bunker found himself in space about 25 yards out and he hit an effort that just went wide of the goal.
Altrincham had an opportunity of their own just a few minutes later, as Jordan Hulme broke into the penalty area and hit a shot straight at Aaron Chapman.
Jacob Butterfield was the next player to have an effort at goal in the eighth minute, but after advancing forward with the ball, he was unable to hit the target from just outside of the area.
Although it was the hosts that looked the more likely to find the opener, former United loanee Tyrese Sinclair went close to putting the Robins ahead, but his shot at the back post was blocked away by a covering defender to prevent it from hitting the net.
The Iron almost took the lead as half-time approached through Bunker, whose first-time shot from the edge of the area took a couple of deflections before Oliver Byrne eventually collected it on the line.
They did find the breakthrough just minutes into the second half through Bennett. After Feeney’s shot was fumbled by the keeper, the United forward pounced on the loose ball and rifled it into the back of the net.
The hosts went in pursuit of a second after taking the lead, with Ben Richards-Everton rising highest to get on the end of Bennett’s ball into the box, but he couldn’t find the direction to really test Byrne.
Sinclair then went close to finding an equaliser just past the hour mark when he found himself in space inside the area, before hitting a fierce drive across the six-yard box that just went past the far post.
The Iron secured the three points with 15 minutes left to go when a corner into the box was met by Smith, who guided his volley towards goal and it bounced in off the far post.
United saw out the remainder of the game well to secure an important three points in their fight against relegation from the National League.
