The Reds host Scunthorpe United this Saturday having held fourth placed Plymouth to a draw on Tuesday evening at Home Park. Town currently sit three places and three points ahead of the weekend’s opponents.
We last met Scunthorpe in November 2019 at the Peoples Pension Stadium as we defeated our visitors 4-1 in the first round of the FA Cup. Goals from Ashley Nadesan, Ashley Nathaniel- George and a brace from Reece Grego-Cox was enough to see the Reds through to round two.
SCENE SETTER:
Town come into the fixture in good form having played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with high flying Plymouth in midweek. The Reds started well and didn’t let the promotion hopefuls settle into the fixture early doors and eventually took the lead just inside the first half an hour. Ollie Palmer netted his fifth goal in four games, which looked to see John Yems side through to half time one to the good but the home side were awarded a penalty in the 44th minute. Bez Lubala tripped Antoni Sarcevic inside the area and the central midfielder picked himself up and dispatched the penalty to send the sides into the interval all square. A closely contested second half followed with both sides having chances to snatch a winner and it looked like the home side had done just that seven minutes from time. Luke Jephcott headed past Glenn Morris in what looked to be the winner but with seven minutes added time this gave the Reds enough time to snatch an equaliser. Ollie Palmer was the hero again as Jamie Sendles-White headed on a cross to the far post where Palmer was waiting to nod in and rescue a point for the Reds.
Scunthorpe haven’t won in the league since New Year’s Day and in their last fixture succumbed to a 3-0 defeat away at Northampton. It was a miserable start for The Iron as they found themselves behind after only seven minutes with Vadaine Oliver netted the first of his two goals in the evening’s fixture. Things went from bad to worse for Scunthorpe as Kevin Van Veen was given his marching orders before half time meaning Scunthorpe had a very large hill to climb if they were to get anything from the tie. The hill proved too big as Oliver netted his second before Sam Hoskins made it three from the penalty spot.
TEAM NEWS:
Lewis Young & Joe McNerney remain doubts for John Yems.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
Reds have visited the Sands Venue Stadium three times - losing 2-1 on twice and drawing the reverse fixture this season 2-2 with Lubala and Ferguson scoring for the Reds. In April 2015 Izale McLeod was on target but the hosts held on having led 2-0 at one stage. At home, Reds won 3-0 in August 2012 in what was our first game in League One. Gary Alexander (2) and Jonathan Forte were our scorers. In November 2014 John Gregory's team shared four goals with the Iron when late goals from Dean Leacock and McLeod earned us a point after we had trailed 2-0. Reds have already beaten the Iron on home soil this season, running out 4-1 winners in the FA Cup 1stRound, with Reece Grego-Cox scoring a brace.
IN CHARGE:
Robert Lewis (Referee)
Justin Amey & Conor Farrell (Linesmen)
Oliver Jackson (Fourth Official)
TICKETS AND HOW TO BUY:
Click here for all your ticketing information for tomorrow's fixture.
HOW THEY BET:
A home win is marked as 13/10 a draw 23/10 and an away win 9/5
For more odds got to www.skybet.com please gamble responsibly.
