Mansfield Town’s U18s are back in action this Saturday (11am) as they travel to Scunthorpe United to continue their EFL Youth Alliance League campaign.
The Stags currently sit sixth in the ten-strong North East Division, whilst the Iron find themselves fourth with two wins from two.
Both teams come into the fixture off the back of defeats in the Youth Alliance Cup, with the Stags looking to bounce back after a 2-0 loss to Burton Albion, while Scunthorpe were beaten 4-1 by Lincoln City.
Mansfield's youngsters' last visit to Scunthorpe was an eventful one, with a Ryan Ingram hat-trick inspiring the Stags to a 4-2 win back in February.
Isaac Fisher opened the scoring for the Stags after his cross found its way into the bottom corner, but United’s Harry Jessop equalised with nine minutes remaining in the first half.
The scores did not stay level for long. A pinpoint pass picked out flying winger Rio Molyneaux who breezed past his marker and laid the ball on a plate for Ingram to restore Mansfield’s lead.
The striker struck again on the stroke of half time, rounding the keeper and slotting into the empty net to make it 3-1.
An end-to-end game saw chances a plenty for both sides, but it was the Stags who landed the next blow.
More good work down the wing from Molyneaux saw him beat his man and pull the ball back for the waiting Ingram to tap in to complete his hat-trick.
Scunthorpe hit back courtesy of a 25-yard piledriver from full-back Harry Baker, but the Stags rode out the closing stages to ensure they emerged victorious.
Saturday's match kicks off at 11am but will take place behind-closed-doors.