Big Match Preview: Iron v Coventry City

28 April 2017

The Iron round off their Sky Bet League One campaign with a home fixture against Coventry City.

Despite Graham Alexander’s side already securing a place in the play-offs, they will be aiming for another three points to make it five successive league victories.

Alexander says Scott Wiseman (knee) is likely to miss this weekend's clash, but is hopeful he'll be fit for the play-offs.

Jordan Clarke and Levi Sutton have trained all week and could be in contention to step in for the full-back.

Matt Crooks (knee), Luke Daniels (ribs), Charlie Goode (ankle) and Tom Hopper (shin) will miss the rest of the season.

Josh Morris’ finish earned United all three points at the Ricoh Arena earlier on in the campaign.

Paddy Madden had the away side’s best opportunity of the opening period, but he could only fire straight at Lee Burge on the volley.

Ten minutes prior to the interval Daniel Agyei squandered a superb opportunity as he fired over without making Luke Daniels work.

United got their breakthrough on 10 minutes after the restart though and, after good play from Madden down the left flank, the Irishman crossed for Morris who was on hand to smash home at the near post.

It looked very much like Coventry were certain to level things up through Jamie Sterry, whose back post attempt seemed to be goal-bound, but Conor Townsend somehow managed to block the effort as the visitors held out for victory.

SEASON / DATE	COMPETITION	RESULT	IRON SCORERS
2016-17 - Sat 11 Nov 2015-16 - Sat 30 Jan	LG 1 LG 1	Coventry 0-1 Iron Coventry 1-2 Iron	Morris Hopper, Wallace
2015-16 - Sat 12 Sep	LG 1	Iron 1-0 Coventry	Madden
2014-15 - Tue 10 Feb	LG 1	Coventry 1-1 Iron	McSheffrey
2014-15 - Tue 16 Sep	LG 1	Iron 2-1 Coventry	Madden, Taylor
2012-13 - Sat 9 Mar	LG 1	Iron 1-2 Coventry	Sodje
2012-13 - Sat 10 Nov	LG 1	Coventry 1-2 Iron	Clarke 2
2010-11 - Fri 22 Apr	CHAMP	Coventry 1-1 Iron	Nunez
2010-11 - Sat 27 Nov	CHAMP	Iron 0-2 Coventry
2009-10 - Sat 27 Feb	CHAMP	Coventry 2-1 Iron	McCann
2009-10 - Sun 6 Dec	CHAMP	Iron 1-0 Coventry	Hooper
2007-08 - Sat 1 Mar	CHAMP	Iron 2-1 Coventry	Paterson, Cork
2007-08 - Sat 27 Nov	CHAMP	Coventry 1-1 Iron	Cork

Our full record against Coventry is as follows:

	P	W	D	L	F	A
Home	6	4	0	2	7	6
Away	7	3	3	1	9	7
TOTAL	13	7	3	3	16	13

George Thomas has scored nine times for the Sky Blues so far this season, in what has been a real breakthrough campaign for the Welshman.

A graduate of the Coventry academy, Thomas has featured on 35 occasions throughout 2016-17, scoring in their Checkatrade Trophy triumph over Oxford United at Wembley.

SATURDAY

AFC Wimbledon v Oldham Athletic (12:00)

Bolton Wanderers v Peterborough United (12:00)

Bristol Rovers v Millwall (12:00)

Charlton Athletic v Swindon Town (12:00)

Fleetwood Town v Port Vale (12:00)

Northampton Town v Gillingham (12:00)

Oxford United v Shrewsbury Town (12:00)

Rochdale v Bradford City (12:00)

Sheffield United v Chesterfield (12:00)

Southend United v Bury (12:00)

Walsall v Milton Keynes Dons (12:00)

Click here for ticket details.

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Match Reports

Report: Iron 3-1 Coventry City

30 April 2017

The Iron defeated Coventry City 3-1 on Sunday lunchtime, and clinched a League One play-off semi-final against Millwall.

United trailed to Vladimir Gadzhev's goal, but three excellent second-half strikes from Kevin van Veen, Neal Bishop and Hakeeb Adelakun sealed victory.

The result meant Scunthorpe finished the season third in League One and they will take on the sixth-placed Lions on Thursday, May 4 (7.45pm at the New Den) and Sunday, May 7 (6.30pm at Glanford Park).

Scunthorpe manager Graham Alexander had made four changes to the side that emerged as 2-1 victors over Swindon last Saturday.

Jordan Clarke, Sam Mantom, Duane Holmes and Kevin van Veen all came into the starting 11, at the expense of Scott Wiseman, Jamie Ness, Stephen Dawson and Ivan Toney.

United started the game brightly and, within the first five minutes, van Veen had an opportunity to chip the ball over Lee Burge, but the Sky Blues keeper did well to block the effort with his body.

Josh Morris went close 15 minutes in and, after good work from Neal Bishop in the centre of the pitch, he set Morris up for a piledriver, but Burge parried it away.

Scunthorpe were piling forward and putting Coventry under immense pressure, with Mantom going close from a similar distance to Morris’ effort a minute or so prior.

The away side continued to live dangerously, as van Veen and Morris both had good opportunities straight after Mantom’s shot from distance. However, on both occasions, blocks from the Coventry defence prevented an opener.

The game died down for the next ten minutes, until van Veen’s flicked header sent Holmes down the wing on 35 minutes, before he crossed low to Paddy Madden, but his shot was somehow scrambled away.

Completely against the run of play, it was the visitors who took the lead in the 36th minute. United only half-cleared a cross from the left, before Vladimir Gadzhev picked the ball up, and sent a deflected effort past Joe Anyon.

The goal would be the last major chance of the first half, with the Iron wondering how they were losing at the break.

United started the second half much like they did in the first, on top. They then found their equaliser six minutes in, as van Veen picked the ball up before cutting inside and curling in a wonderful goal to level the score.

The Glanford Park faithful thought they’d seen Holmes score the Iron’s second a few minutes after the equaliser, but his run into the box saw his effort hit the side-netting.

Madden was next to try his luck after van Veen won yet another header, but the Irishman’s curled effort went narrowly, despite having Burge scrambling.

Coventry started to settle down over the course of the next 15 minutes, and were playing confidently for a team whose relegation to League Two had already been confirmed.

The away side almost capitalised on their good spell when George Thomas got on the ball in the Iron’s box, before unleashing a curled effort destined for the top corner, but Anyon somehow clawed it out.

United went ahead in 84th minute, and it was another memorable strike, this time from Neal Bishop. Madden, Craig Davies and Mantom were all involed, with the latter laying it into the path of Bishop, who took one touch before firing it passed Burge.

The home side weren’t finished yet, though. Substitute Hakeeb Adelakun dribbled passed two Coventry defenders before firing into the corner of the net from 25-yards out, making it 3-1.

Davies had a pop himself in the dying moments, but Burge held on at the second attempt. That would be the final opportunity of a great game.

TEAM LINE-UPS

Scunthorpe United: Anyon, Wallace, Mirfin, Madden, van Veen (Davies, 75), Morris (Adelakun, 75), Bishop, Mantom, Holmes, Townsend, Clarke (Sutton, 81).

Substitutes not used: Watson, Dawson, Toffolo, Toney.

Coventry City: Burge, Willis, Turnbull, Bigirimana, Lameiras, Jones (K. Thomas, 64), Gadzhev, Tudgay, G.Thomas (Folivi, 87), Dion Kelly-Evans, Camwell.

Substitutes not used: Charles-Cook, Reid, Devon Kelly-Evans, Shipley, Thompson.

Attendance: 5,796.

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Ticket News

Special offers in place for Coventry clash

28 April 2017

With a place in the play offs already assured as a minimum, the Iron face Coventry City at Glanford Park in the final game of the regular season on Sunday, April 30 (12.00pm kick-off).

The club are pleased to announce that a number of special offers will be in place for the game as a good will gesture in appreciation of your support over the season.

Offers in brief:

-> U18’s are FREE in all three home stands when a ticket is purchased in advance

-> Draught Fosters, John Smiths and Strongbow Dark Fruit all at special reduced prices

-> Bacon sandwich and a tea or coffee just £1 from our home catering kiosks

-> Bumper half time draw with six prizes and a guaranteed £1,000 up for grabs

-> Club shop sale continues to include 40% off Carbrini training wear and 20% off replica kit

First of all, junior supporters and families are being encouraged to cheer on the Iron with under-18’s going FREE when they get a ticket in advance. This offer is available in the Britcon, Clugston and SPB Stands up until kick off on the day of the game, however please note, this will not be available on the turnstiles, with a ticket required from the ticket office or matchday ticket kiosk.

Thanks to the support from some of our suppliers, the club are also pleased to be able to offer some other benefits for those home supporters attending.

Draught Fosters, John Smiths and Strongbow Dark Fruit will be available in the home bars around the stadium at the reduced price of £2 per pint and £1.10 for a half. The Iron Bar will be open from 10am on the day with the drinks offer extending into the afternoon for supporters staying after the full-time whistle.

If you’re after a bite to eat then you can get a bacon sandwich and a tea or coffee for a special combined price of just £1 from the home catering kiosks at the stadium. Thanks go to the club suppliers, Bookers and H.B.Clarke for their support which has enabled the club to provide these food and drink offers.

Finally, the Iron’s matchday half time draw, sponsored by Easy Buy Limited, is also something to get involved with as there will be a bumper prize pot which is a guaranteed £1,000 up for grabs. One lucky winner will walk away with £500 as a first prize, while there will be a further FIVE winning tickets, with each one worth £100. Tickets will be on sale as usual from the sellers around the stadium before the game.

The club shop sale is still on, with 40% off training wear lines and 20% off all replica kit so make sure you call in to take advantage of the discounts while stocks last. For full details on ticket information can be found here - http://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/april-30-coventry-city-h-3178744.aspx

Under-18’s who have already purchased a ticket for the game are entitled to a refund but this must be claimed before kick-off. This can be done either in person at the main ticket office or over the phone on 01724 747670.

As per the ground regulations, under-14’s must be accompanied by an adult.

Please note the bar in the Sir Ian Botham Executive Lounge will not be open after the game due to the end of season awards dinner but guests are welcome to stay for a drink in the Restaurant or visit the Iron Bar.

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Scunthorpe United FC

Standings

Big Match Preview: Iron v Coventry City

Report: Iron 3-1 Coventry City

Special offers in place for Coventry clash