Alfie Beestin: It was unbelievable to finally be back out there

We caught up with creative midfielder Alife Beestin ahead of the Iron’s trip to Farsley Celtic for their last game of 2023.

Beestin returned to United’s league starting XI in midweek for the first time since late August when he was stretchered off the field of play against Scarborough. When asked how it felt to be back amongst the action he replied: “It felt amazing and it was unbelievable to finally be back out there. Four months is the longest I’ve been injured and it has been horrible but it was great to be out there with the lads and to see how many fans were there to get behind us.”

After initially believing that his injury was the same hamstring injury he had acquired last season, on further inspection the injury was different: “Initially, I believed I was going to be back within six-to-eight weeks, but once I got that second injury my head was absolutely flying.

“The lads got behind me and helped me to get through it, along with gaffer who's been class with me since I became injured, and the fact he put confidence in me to start games straight away, I’ve got a lot of respect for him.”

With just under half of the National League North season remaining, the former Doncaster Rovers man enlightened us on his goals for the remainder of the campaign: “My aim is to score and get as many goals and assists as possible, and to just help the team carrying on winning games.”

Nextly, Beestin responded when asked his thoughts ahead of the encounter with Farsley Celtic: “We’ve prepared a bit differently to be honest. We’re expecting a scruffy, but horrible game because they sat behind the ball on Tuesday, so I think they’ll try and come at us which we have to be ready for.

“It’s a very different surface this time round. We have to know when the right time is to play our game, and we need to try and put them on the back foot from the off as well.”

Since his arrival January 2020, Beestin has become the longest serving player amongst the Scunthorpe ranks. To close the interview he was asked if he believes this Iron team has what it takes to escape Tamworth’s chase and win the league: “100 per cent, we have what it takes.

“I’ve been here for four years and this is best group of lads I’ve been a part of with the best quality as well, so overall I think we’ve definitely got more than enough top gain promotion.”