Latest news with #CarltonUbaezuonu
The Sun
18-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Former Championship club win promotion to National League as fans go wild after nightmare decade
SCUNTHORPE UNITED have been promoted back to the National League after a two-year absence. The Iron saw off Chester in a pulsating National League North playoff at Glanford Park on Sunday. Daniel Whitehall and Connor Woods both found the net as the game ended 1-1 and headed into extra time. Scunthorpe's Carlton Ubaezuonu proved to be the hero, smashing in the winner in the 105th minute. The goal sparked wild scenes of jubilation amongst a fanbase starved of success over the past decade. The Iron were in the Championship as recently as 2008 but have endured a dramatic slide down the pyramid in recent years. They fell out of the EFL in 2022 after financial issues almost saw the club go bust. Scunthorpe continued to slide and dropped to the National League North a season later. Sunday's promotion is their first since 2014 when they finished second in League Two. Thousands flocked onto the Glanford Park pitch to celebrate, with the game coming a year after heartbreak on penalties against Boston United. Local businesswoman Michelle Harness saved the club in October 2023, with boss Andy Butler paying tribute after the win. Butler, a former Scunthorpe player, told the BBC: "It's brilliant. I'm excited for Michelle... for everyone who has brought the club back to life. Leeds on track to win TWO trophies in same week ahead of final day of Championship season "For the players, the fans, the town. It was a tough, tough game. "Chester gave everything they had. I said [Ubaezuonu] would score goals - and he's got the winner. "It was a team effort. We got a lot of players going through the pain barrier. We had to dig deep. "I'm so chuffed for the whole town."
Leader Live
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Leader Live
Scunthorpe grab extra time goal to beat Chester in final
It was 1-1 at the end of the 90 minutes in the National League North showpiece at the Attis Arena, with Connor Woods' second half penalty hauling the Blues level. However, late in the first period of extra time, Carlton Ubaezuonu grabbed the decisive goal to seal promotion for the Iron. In the build-up to the final, boss Calum McIntyre thanked supporters for their backing over the campaign. In an interview on the club's X site, McIntyre said: 'An unbelievable season. So many memories, special moments and experiences along the way. 'The theme throughout between the players, the group, the supporters, the club has been that togetherness. 'The whole group is so proud to have the support that we've had throughout the campaign. At home, away, the support has been absolutely first class.' The first effort went to Chester, with Nathan Woodthorpe shooting narrowly wide. At the other end, Alfie Beestin was off target with his attempt for the Iron. Dylan Mottley-Henry, who scored in the semi-final win at Kidderminster, had an acrobatic effort deflected behind, but Scunthorpe got their noses in front in the 20th minute. Michael Kelly's curling shot struck the post and Danny Whitehall was there to tuck in the rebound from close range. Deep in stoppage time, Woodthorpe crossed to the back post, however Mottley-Henry could not get a clean connection with his header. Chester's 1,600-strong travelling support will have been looking for a fightback once the second half got underway. Mottley-Henry fired over the crossbar during a bright spell for the Blues and Tom Peers' close-range volley was blocked by Will Evans. The Blues had their equaliser in the 62nd minute when they were awarded a penalty for hand-ball. Woods tucked away the spot kick. Scunthorpe went close to regaining the lead 13 minutes from the end, but Whitehall's attempt from a free kick clattered the post. At the other end, Peers was just off target as time ticked on. Chester had glimpses of goal when extra time got underway. Three minutes in, Tom Leak was denied by United keeper Ross Fitzsimons' excellent save, while Taelor O'Kane's header went over the top four minutes later. A minute into added time at the end of the first period of extra time and Scunthorpe regained their lead, with Carlton Ubaezuonu on target. Chester looked to battle back again and Woods fired in a 118th minute effort, but it was comfortable for Fitzsimons.
