Scunthorpe United made it four wins in a row after their incisive passing comprehensively defeated Fulham’s primitive long-ball football at Craven Cottage this evening.
David D’Auria had been at the heart of most of the visitors’ most threatening moves as the Iron dominated the early running and it was no surprise when the Welsh midfielder opened the scoring in the first half. The peerless playmaker continued his fine recent record against the Cottagers – following up his impudent chip at Craven Cottage for Scarborough last year to score his third goal in his last four appearances. D’Auria cracked in a sensational 20-yard volley that beat Lee Harrison to give the Iron a deserved lead.
Scunthorpe easily dealt with a barrage of high cross into the box with Chris Hope outstanding at the heart of their defence and an astute tactical change by manager Dave Moore took the wind out of Fulham’s sails after Mark Blake had levelled ten minutes after half time. The centre half’s close-range finish from Robbie Herrera’s deep cross followed a period of pressure that saw Nick Cusack head against the crossbar and Alan Knill’s attempted clearance also rattle the woodwork.
Moore ditched his 4-5-1 system for a 4-4-2 and Scunthorpe reignited their play-off hopes as a result. Max Nicholson’s introduction helped turn the game in United’s favour and Moore’s men regained the lead when Ryan Jones touched home his second goal for the club from Tony Ford’s curling corner. The visitors made sure of all three points three minutes later when a poor punch from Harrison allowed Scottish midfielder Jamie Patterson to power home the clinching third.
FULHAM (4-4-2): Harrison; Jupp, Herrera, Angus (Moore 73), Blake; Thomas (Hamill 75), McAree, Morgan, Barber; Scott, Cusack. Subs (not used): Marshall.
BOOKED: Blake.
GOAL: Blake (55).
SCUNTHORPE UNITED (4-5-1): Samways; Walsh, Wilson, Ford, Knill, Hope, Jones (Housham 89), D’Auria, McFarlane, Turnbull (Nicholson 63), Patterson. Subs (not used): Ziccardi.
BOOKED: Wilson, Jones, Nicholson.
GOALS: D’Auria (22), Jones (67), Patterson (72).
REFEREE: Frazer Stretton (Nottingham).
ATTENDANCE: 2,176
