SCENE SETTER
Reds are set for their first Sky Bet League Two home fixture of the 2020/21 season when we host Scunthorpe United tomorrow at 15:00, in our second game of the campaign, following last weekend’s defeat at Vale Park in the away season opener.
FORM GUIDE
After an unbeaten pre-season, the Reds have yet to pick up a win in competitive action across three competitions. We started the season with a Carabao Cup fixture against championship Millwall, losing 3-1, before defeats at Gillingham in the EFL Trophy and Port Vale in League Two. Saturday’s game is the perfect opportunity to get back on track and find the form that we had at home last season under Head Coach John Yems.
Our opposition are also yet to find a victory this season, losing out to Port Vale in the Carabao Cup before being beaten on penalties by League One Lincoln City in the EFL Trophy. The Irons began their league campaign at home to Newport County, and the game ended 1-1 with Ryan Loft claiming a second half equaliser.
THE HISTORY
Last season, we faced the Irons on three occasions, with over 3 goals being scored in each game. In August, we travelled to the Sands Venue Stadium, picking up a 2-2 draw which saw the Reds score 2 equalising goals, through Bez Lubala and Nathan Ferguson, with Josh Dacres-Cogley the provider for both.
The Irons later travelled to The People’s Pension Stadium in November, in the first round of the FA Cup. Going into the final 10 minutes, it was all square at 1-1, with Ashley Nadesan’s first half goal being cancelled out by a Ryan Colclough effort. But two emphatic strikes from Reece Grego-Cox and a goal from Ashley Nathaniel George, saw the Reds run out 4-1 victors and through to the second round.
On the first day of February we took Scunthorpe on for the third time, and on this occasion under current Head Coach John Yems. 3-1 was the final score with first half goals from Jordan Tunnicliffe, Reece Greco-Cox and Ollie Palmer, meaning we had netted 9 past the Irons within three competitive games.
THE OPPOSITION
Ex Sheffield United and Rochdale defender Harrison McGahey sits at the heart of the Scunthorpe defence, in his third season for the Irons. The centre back possesses an eye for a pass and impressive heading ability, standing at 6 feet 2 inches.
Up top, Ryan Loft is in goal scoring form picking up two goals in his only two starts so far this season. The Ex-Tottenham and Leicester youth player acts as a target man and is usually supported by the energetic speedster, Abobaker Eisa, who tallied up his goals in the winter last campaign, before reaching a drought until the season end.
TEAM NEWS
After picking up some minutes at Port Vale, and impressing Head Coach John Yems, Tom Nichols is in contention to earn his first start for the Reds. Yems has stressed there are no new injury worries in the lead up to the game.
HOW THEY BET*
Crawley 13/10
Draw 5/2
Scunthorpe 9/5
*Odds correct with EFL partners Sky Bet at time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
COVERAGE
You can watch all the action live on iFollow buy purchasing a match pass for £10 by clicking here.
