Scunthorpe United kicked off their 2011-12 campaign with a first pre-season friendly at neighbours Bottesford Town at Birch Park.

Last year Scunthorpe ran out 4-2 winners against the Northern Counties East League 1 outfit so with new signings on shoe and Alan Knill indicating he was to filed a different team each half would the Iron prove a formidable oppsoition for Bottesford Town, a side seven divisions below them in the football league pyramid.

Scunthorpe were wearing their new away strip for the forthcoming season, made by Nike and all in black it does look very much like a referees kit.

Scunthorpe were expected to feature a number of trialist and the starting lineup was Lillis, Nelson, Brogan, Togwell, Wright, Collins, Godden, Canavan,
Dagnell, Green & Tirayaki.

It was Dagnall who started off the better of the Scunthorpe players missing a chance after two minutes from the 18 yard area.
Then after 5 minutes he was played through by Togwell but was beaten to the ball which resulted in an United corner.
United began to dominate and the home team were defending well.

On 13 minutes trialist Tirayaki score for united from within the area. This is followed 5 minutes later by Godden on 18 minutes after a short corner by Togwell.
Again 5 minutes pass when united strike again, this time it's Dagnall hitting the net on 23minutes. United were denied a penalty when Brogan was clearly fouled in
the area, he seemed somewhat bemused as the referee waved him away.

Up to the half time break it was a mainly one sided affair, Bottesford were on the back foot whilst Scunthorpe dominated the field,  the players left the pitch with Scunthorpe 3-0 to the good and the 670 fans mainly pleased with what they had seen.

The second half saw a change of line up for Scunthorpe, on the field came;
Slocombe, Palmer, Raynes, Reid, Nolan, Duffy, Grant, Hughs, Barcham, Robertson & Rayan.

For keeper Sam Slocombe it was a return to his former ground, he had played for Bottesford before being  snapped up for Scunthorpe United
in 2009.

The second half continued where the first had finished with united dominating the field.
On 54 minutes Grant score a stunning goal to put Scunthorpe 4-0 up.     

                                                                                 Sam Slocombe in goal for Scunthorpe   

Bottesford then took control for a short period with a few attacks down the left wing but this didn't last long before Scunthorpe once again take control winning a corner, as result Bobby Grant crosses the ball for Paul Reid to volley home Scunthorpes fifth. Two minutes later a twenty yard strike from Duffy sees Scunthorpe stretch their lead to 6-0.Barcham in denied after a one on one with the keeper, Grant trie a 14 yard shot but the Bottesford keeper saves it comfortably.

The final goal is wrapped up by Jordan Robertson who fires home on 78 minutes into the left hand side of the net
seeing a having an emphatic and well deserved 7-0 win.

In whole Scunthorpe were very convincing, winning 7-0 with seven different scorers it will certainly give manager Alan Knill something to think about for their next
friendly against Winterton Rangers on Tuesday 12th July

                                                       Management team Alan Knill, Chris Brass & Neil Cutler