Statistical Review: Iron 1-1 Yeovil Town

A Statistical Review of Saturday's season opener courtesy of Andy's Bet Club.

Introduction

Scunthorpe kicked off their National League campaign with a 1-1 draw against Yeovil at The Attis Arena.

Mason Obeng gave the visitors the lead just after half-time, before Luke Brennan curled in a sensational equaliser in the 90th minute.

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Attack

Scunthorpe were the better team on Saturday according to the stats. 

They had nine shots (four on target) compared to Yeovil’s five (three on target). They also edged the visitors on xG, with Scunthorpe racking up 1.46xG to Yeovil’s 0.54xG.

Alfie Beestin’s blocked header in the 61st minute was the game’s best chance in terms of xG (0.65). 

Jordan Richards and Patrick Jones were busy in attack for the home side, having two shots each during the game, whilst Will Evans and James Gale also had headed chances from corners.

None of this mattered until Luke Brennan came off the bench to curl in a wonderful equaliser in the 90th minute, worth only 0.01xG.

Defence

Scunthorpe were able to restrict Yeovil to just five shots worth 0.54xG. 

Louis Jones was reliable in goal for Scunthorpe, making two saves, including one reflex stop. He was, however, unable to prevent Mason Obeng from giving the visitors the lead with a tidy finish in the 48th minute.

Scunthorpe had a PPDA (passes allowed per defensive action) of 14.7 on Saturday compared to Yeovil’s 19.2, meaning Scunthorpe won the ball back on average every 14.7 Yeovil passes.

That pressure was clear to see as Scunthorpe made 32 recoveries in Yeovil’s half, compared to Yeovil making 13 in Scunthorpe’s.

Scunthorpe also edged the aerial battle on Saturday, winning 29 of 55 aerial duels (53%) to Yeovil’s 26 of 55 (47%).

Possession

Possession was even on Saturday, with both sides enjoying 50% of the ball.

Scunthorpe’s average pass was 23.7 metres compared to the visitors’ 18.9, highlighting just how direct they were.

Scunthorpe moved the ball really well going forward, with 67 of their 109 possessions reaching Yeovil’s half (61%) and 19 reached the penalty area (17%).

Yeovil, on the other hand, could only reach Scunthorpe’s box with 44 of their 102 possessions (43%), and four times reaching Scunthorpe’s box (4%).

Scunthorpe completed 81% of their progressive passes (passes that carry the ball a significant distance towards the opponent's goal), compared to Yeovil’s 56%.

Set pieces

Scunthorpe edged Yeovil in the corner count (4-3), each of which resulted in a shot.

Yeovil’s opener came from a set piece, as Mason Obeng volleyed home at the back post from a free-kick just after half-time.

Scunthorpe were more cross-dependent as they completed eight of their 24 crosses (33%), while Yeovil attempted only five but completed three (60%).

Players

Ross Barrows was everywhere for the home side on Saturday. He played the full 99 minutes, completed 51 of his 74 actions, and had one key pass to his name.

Alfie Beestin’s blocked header in the 61st minute was the best chance of the game in terms of xG, and it was Luke Brennan who found the breakthrough for the home side, curling in a brilliant right-footed effort just inside the box.

Ryan Jones supplied the assist for Obeng’s opener, and had two shots on target himself (both saved by Louis Jones), highlighting just how important he was going forward for the visitors.

Zain Westbrooke was the key cog in this Yeovil side, completing 53 of his 66 passes in midfield (80%).

Conclusion

Despite the result, there are plenty of positives to build on for Andy Butler’s Scunthorpe ahead of the 2026/27 National League campaign.

They comfortably created the better chances than Yeovil (1.46xG to 0.54xG), and had far more possession in Yeovil’s half.

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