BURTON Albion's Young Brewers secured a well-deserved 2-0 victory over Scunthorpe United courtesy of goals from Toby Oakes and Ronny Wakelin.
Wakelin, who has recently been involved of four of Dino Maamria’s first team matchday squads, got the ball rolling in the 30th minute when he finished from just inside of the area.
Goalkeeperr Kamil Dudek wasn’t called into action too many times in this clash, but the Polish stopper made a crucial save from point-blank range in the 76th minute after Harrison Poulter seemed destined to score.
Like Wakelin, Oakes was on the bench for the Brewers’ derby day victory over Port Vale last weekend and he also grabbed a goal against the Irons late into the second period to secure victory.
The Brewers certainly started the game the stronger of the two sides with Dylan Scott firing narrowly wide in the opening minutes after Connor Pace produced a great switch of play out wide to Ben Maginness. He volleyed the ball the area where Scott turned quickly before firing his shot off target.
For the next 20 minutes both sides attempted to play expansive football to calmly break down the other’s press, but neither team were able to create many clear-cut opportunities as the defences remained stubborn.
The majority of the Brewers’ first half joy came down the righthand side and again right-wing back Maginness fired a dangerous cross into Wakelin who curled an effort towards goal, but Josh Murtagh did well to hold onto the shot.
A minute later Albion had breakthrough when Scott worked hard to win the ball before playing it through to WAKELIN who remain composed and placed his shot into the bottom right corner.
Burton were extremely unlucky not to double their lead in the final minute of the half when Kiyan Baker-McKay threaded a great ball through to Wakelin who unselfishly cut the ball back for Scott only for his close range shot to be saved, however the rebound fell straight to Charlie Knowles whose effort was also blocked on the line.
HALF-TIME: BURTON ALBION 1-0 SCUNTHORPE UNITED
Similarly to the first half the second period started extremely slowly with neither side showcasing much quality in the final third.
Scunthorpe were unlucky not to equalise in the 65th minute when Ethan Young missed at free header at the back post following a Charlie Burden-Whittleton corner.
Dudek was finally called into action in the 76th minute when a loose ball pinballed around the box, eventually falling for Poulter who’s shot seemed destined for goal only for Dudek to spring into life and tip the ball over the bar.
Burton finally put the game to bed in the 82nd minute when Oakley Hazell’s long-range effort was spilt into the direction of OAKES who smashed the ball home to make it 2-0.
The Brewers were unlucky not to add a third goal to the game only a minute later after substitute Joe Nyahwema produced a great low cross for Chê Ranger who cleverly flicked the ball towards goal, but Murtagh did very well to hold onto the effort.
FULL-TIME: BURTON ALBION 2-0 SCUNTHROPE UNITED
Albion: Dudek, Maginness (Nyahwema 70), Robinson (Knowles 25), Tamen, Gilbert, Oakes, Baker-McKay (Rush 81), Hazell, Scott (Ademiluyi 81), Pace, Wakelin (Ranger 81).
GOALS: WAKELIN (30), OAKES (82).