Scunthorpe United 0, Yeovil Town 4: Glovers reach new heights after big win

Emphatic displays at both ends of the pitch inspired Yeovil Town’s demolition of Scunthorpe United to fire them to the top of League One for the first time.

The season may be only three matches old, but the Glovers occupy the highest position in their 117-year history after notching two wins and a draw in their opening games.

Keanu Marsh-Brown started what seemed an unlikely rout at Glanford Park before Reuben Reid netted his first goal in Yeovil colours.

Marek Stech then kept his side in the clash and Gozie Ugwu came off the bench for two late strikes.

Winning manager Gary Johnson said: “It was a great result. They won’t be pleased with their performance, I’m sure, but when they did get through Marek dealt with everything he had to contend with and when we got through.

“I keep saying we have got goals in us and, from our point of view, it was a good game, we played well in that final third and managed to get through quite a few times.

“The first goal was always going to be important, especially when a team hasn’t won in two games so far. We needed to get that second goal, which we got, and at that point they gave it a bit of a go. But we brought on the cavalry and they did the job.”

Yeovil had an early penalty appeal waved away when Reid’s drilled shot struck David Mirfin’s arm.

That was to prove the only action of a quiet start until in the 25th minute when Jamie McAllister’s defensive header at a corner wrong-footed his team-mates. Mirfin’s follow-up seemed destined for the net, but Ed Upson’s determination helped him head over.

The Glovers forged ahead on 37 minutes. Marsh-Brown made the most of Upson’s beautifully-weighted pass by shifting the ball on to his right foot and powerfully beating Sam Slocombe at his near post.

Stech ended his relatively quiet half by tipping over Josh Walker’s drilled 20-yard free- kick.

Reid’s goal arrived on 50 minutes as the visitors swiftly turned defence into attack.

Richard Hinds was fouled as he picked out Upson and the midfielder rode a similarly heavy challenge to find Reid. The striker held off Neil Canavan to allow the ball across his body for a thumping finish.

The hosts came close to reducing the deficit on the hour mark, but were denied three times by Stech.

He first beat away Bobby Grant’s fierce close range effort before regaining composure to parry Jimmy Ryan’s follow-up.

The subsequent corner fell to Walker and Stech forced his long-range effort away.

Walker spurned Scunthorpe’s best and last chance on 82 minutes. Stech’s excellent punch kept out substitute Connor Jennings’ drive when Hinds tumbled, trying to head clear. With the goal at his mercy, Walker blazed wide.

The Iron’s defence crumbled to allow Yeovil to create Ugwu’s opening. James Hayter teed up substitute Nathan Ralph, goalkeeper Slocombe parried, but only as far as the Reading loanee.

Deep into injury-time, Hayter’s flick released Ugwu again and he doubled his tally.

Scunthorpe: Slocombe, Ribeiro, Mirfin, Canavan, Kennedy (Keegan 84), Walker, Ryan (Barcham 77), Gibbons, Duffy, Grant (Jennings 63), Grella. Not Used: Severn, Hughes, Howe, Newey.

Booked: Walker, Gibbons, Duffy.

Yeovil: Stech, Ayling, Hinds, Webster, McAllister, Marsh-Brown (Young 64), Blizzard, Upson, Foley (Ralph 84), Hayter, Reid (Ugwu 68). Not Used: Stewart, Nkumu.

Booked: Webster, Upson, Blizzard.

Goals: Marsh-Brown 37, Reid 50, Ugwu 88, 90.

Attendance: 3,279.

Referee: James Adcock (Nottinghamshire).