Preview: Leamington (H)

Words: James Whitbread

The Iron are back at the Attis Arena after salvaging a late point away at Buxton thanks to a strike in stoppage time from Carlton Ubaezuonu to cancel out Ethan Mann’s goal on the stroke of half time.

A mid-table Leamington looking to build on their recent positive form, look to cause problems for Scunthorpe.

In the reverse fixture, United got a two nil victory on the road courtesy of a Cal Roberts brace, breaking the deadlock in the 59th minute, then doubling the Iron’s lead five minutes from the end to give Leamington a rare home defeat.

The Brakes were promoted from the Southern League Premier Division Central after finishing third then beating Redditch and Telford in the playoffs, and have impressed many with their adjustments to National League North. Leamington have managed to find themselves comfortable in the league, closer to the play-off places than they are the relegation zone. The visitors’ great season has been a result of making their home ground a fortress and it has become a real difficult ground to visit, with 11 wins, three draws and four defeats from their 18 home clashes, just three sides have picked up more points on home turf (Chorley, Scunthorpe and Chester).

Leamington have lost just one in their last eight, with five wins, two draws and one defeat, the visitors will come to the Attis Arena with bags of confidence. Despite this very positive recent form, away from home victories have been very rare for the Brakes. Despite having the fourth best home record in the league, away from home they have the joint third worst record in the league with 13 points from their 17 home fixtures, three wins, four draws and ten losses, only Warrington and Rushall have picked up less points on the road than Leamington.

Since signing in July 2023 on a free transfer before the 2023-24 season, centre-forward Henry Landers has solidified himself as a fan favourite. The number seven has got himself nine goal involvements with nine goals and three assists, and has been a key part of helping his side settle into this league and has attained multiple important goals along the way to pick up vital points this season. Landers got a goal last time out away at Southport, and also grabbed a late equaliser against Needham Market away from home, with two in his last three he will be looking to get his goals statistic into double figures and United will have to watch out for the marvellous 24-year-old.

As the Iron sit just one point behind Chester and Brackley in first and second, three points could be enough to out United top of the league should both sides above United drop points. As Scunthorpe prepare to host their last home game before a highly anticipated clash against Chester on Community Day, an in-form Leamington side are chasing a very rare away victory looking to upset the home crowd.