Words: James Whitbread
The Iron are preparing to play their second home game in five days, coming into the fixture off the back of an emphatic 6-0 victory over Farsley Celtic which is bound to give Scunthorpe an abundance of confidence.
Danny Whitehall got himself on the scoresheet twice, Callum Roberts, Sam Fishburn, Max Brogan and Will Evans all got themselves a goal as well, in contrast our opponents have been struggling to pick up points in the league this season.
Radcliffe are newly promoted from the Northern Premier Division and won the league title by ten points finishing first with 87 points, the adjustment to National League North this season has been more of a struggle for them at the moment as they have currently picked up just ten points this season from a possible 42, having won two lost eight and drawn four in their 14 games played, as they sit 22nd in the league table, three points away from Oxford City, currently sitting above the relegation zone with a game in hand over Radcliffe. Despite their only wins of the season coming in October, it was a tough month for ‘the Boro’, who lost four and won two in the six games played in the month.
After winning back to back games against Brackley and South Shields, our opposition suffered two losses in a row against Oxford and Buxton, before coming into this game, as they look to start November positively and get back to winning ways.
A key player for the visitors is experienced midfielder, Josh Hancock, the 34-year-old who wears the number 7 shirt, has been crucial this season being involved in a multitude of goals this season, bagging five goals and getting an assist in the 11 appearances made this season.
Another key player for the visitors who is their second highest goalscorer this season behind Hancock, is central defender, Bradley Roscoe. The 27-year-old has got himself four goals this season, an impressive number of goals for a centre back in these early stages of the season. Three of his four goals this season have been headers, as the central defender's aerial threat has got his team some important goals and the Iron will need to look out for him and keep him well marked from set piece situations.
Danny Whitehall’s double over Farsley pushed his tally to seven goals scored this season, after scoring three in the first four games of the season. Whitehall went through a goal drought but is now in red hot form. Going into this game Danny Whitehall has got himself four goals in our last three fixtures and will be looking to cause a handful for the Radcliffe defence as he looks to build on his positive form.
Another Iron player in great form is Callum Roberts, the winger has got himself six goals this season and been extremely creative throughout the season as well. Roberts has five goals in his last five appearances and is another threatening attacker for the Iron.
As Scunthorpe look to claim all three points in order to hold on to top spot, Radcliffe on the other end of the table will be looking to fight for points to pull themselves out of the relegation zone, in these early stages of the season.
