Words: James Whitbread
The Iron are back at the Attis Arena coming off the back of a stalemate draw away against tough opposition, Chester.
Rushall sit just above the relegation zone only due to goal difference and they will be hoping to turn their form around, to steer clear of the drop zone in these early stages of the season.
As Scunthorpe sit one point clear at the top of the table, three points would be crucial in maintaining the top spot in the league. Opponents Rushall have picked up just three points away from home in their five away games, with away form clearly a weakness they will look to hit the Iron with some of their dangerous players in attack.
A key player for Rushall is former Iron loanee Liam McAlinden. The 31-year-old joined Scunthorpe on loan last season and returned to his parent club Wrexham at the end of the season. McAlinden has netted two goals and one assist for the Pics this season in the league, and he will be looking to add to his goal tally against the Iron. The Irishman is an experienced centre forward, and will give Rushall Olympic a lot of experience having played for the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Exeter, Wrexham, even representing his national team at Under-21 level and will have memories of playing in this division at the Iron last season.
Another new arrival at Rushall who is another threat is right winger, Dempsey Arlott-John. The 22-year-old, joined from last seasons’ title winners Tamworth, and has been a key player for the Pics since his arrival. After working his way up through the Leicester ranks, he left the club and has played at Shepshed Dynamo, Ilkeston and Harborough Town. Now looking to do it at Rushall, Arlott-John has got two goals and one assist so far like McAlinden, and will be looking to improve his sides form through creating more goals for his side.
As both sides look to get back to winning ways, both teams will be wanting to get all three points on the board.
