Preview: Eastleigh (A)

Words: James Whitbread

The Iron are back on the road after their draw in the meeting against Boston United
where Cal Roberts’ penalty clinched Scunthorpe a point from the game. Lennel
John-Lewis gave the hosts the lead before Roberts converted a penalty to get the Iron an
equaliser. Next up is a rescheduled match against bottom half Eastleigh looking to get
back to winning ways after being defeated by Boreham Wood on the weekend.

Last time both sides met the fixture was called short when the game was abandoned in
stoppage time for a clash between Jean Belehouan and Archie Harris, thankfully both players
are fit to play after having fast recoveries. The game between both sides was 1-1 when the
game was abandoned, Declan Howe scored in the 83rd minute to put Scunthorpe a goal to the
good before Harvey Saunders levelled the score in 90+1st minute to shock the United back line.
Our opponents defeat on Saturday ended their five game unbeaten streak, consisting of three
wins and two draws, the Spitfires will be hoping to get back to winning ways and build more
consistency looking to improve their home form with ten points from a possible 18. With more
losses than victories in the league this season, Eastleigh have not had the start they would have
dreamed of, but three points against the Iron could push them up into 10th place, just four points
off 7th place.

An attacking threat the hosts will hold is 25 year old forward, Aaron Blair. Blair joined the
Spitfires in the summer from Maidstone United with a prolific reputation, and he has been crucial
for his side this season. In the 23/24 season Blair got an impressive 17 goals for Braintree
earning him a move to Maidstone, where the attacker scored 22 goals in 52 games in the 24/25
season. This season Aaron Blair has netted six goals from his 13 appearances, and he will be a
strong threat for our opposition.

Another attacker Scunthorpe will have to look out for is Harvey Saunders. On loan from
Tranmere Rovers the 28 year old has had a fantastic start to life at Eastleigh, with three goals
and three assists from nine appearances, Saunders has been a constant goal threat. Saunders
showed the Iron his goal scoring ability when he scored in stoppage time in the abandoned
fixture, and the forward will be looking to make sure he gets his goal against United to count.