By Match report: 10-man Scunthorpe suffer defeat at Gateshead
Scunthorpe United were comfortably beaten at Gateshead in the National League this afternoon.
Two first-half goals from the hosts were enough to secure the three points, while Tom Pugh was sent off for the Iron shortly before half-time.
There were five changes to the United side that lost at home to Torquay United last weekend, with Pugh, Finley Shrimpton, Liam Feeney, Sean Shields and Danny Elliott all coming into the starting lineup.
It was a relatively even opening few minutes to the game, as neither side were able to work any chances in the early stages of the contest.
The first couple of opportunities fell to Gateshead through Kamil Conteh. The attacking midfielder saw an effort blocked behind for a corner, before he struck the ball well over the bar just a couple of minutes later.
The hosts weren’t to be denied for much longer, though, as Greg Olley gave them the lead on 18 minutes. A ball across the box found the midfielder free at the back post and he drilled an effort into the top corner, giving Tom Billson no chance in the Iron net.
Despite earning a couple of corners, United were unable to create any real opportunities of note to get back in the game. Pugh had an effort from long distance that went sailing over the bar.
With Gateshead clearly on top, they grabbed a second on 33 minutes through Stephen Wearne, who found space inside the box and calmly slotted the ball into the corner of the net.
The Iron’s misery was further compiled just five minutes later when Pugh was sent off for what appeared to be a stamp on Conteh, giving his side a long way back to salvage anything from the game.
The hosts were almost out of sight at the start of the second half, as Ethan Pye’s long-range effort hit the outside of the post and bounced behind for a goal-kick.
Gateshead then had a string of chances, with Billson doing well to push away Dan Ward’s shot and Wearne testing the keeper with a low effort on goal.
They then hit the post with just over 10 minutes left to play through Ward following some good work by him to find space and get a strike away.
The Iron failed to get the ball forward and create any chances towards the end of the game, with Gateshead securing a comfortable victory that leaves United with little chance of avoiding relegation from the National League.
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