Preview: Eastleigh (A)

The Iron are back in action after a hard fought point away from home, in a match with late
drama against fellow newly promoted side, Brackley Town.

United got the opener in the 73rd minute, after Danny Whitehall kept up his impressive goal scoring form, winning and then dispatching a penalty. Just three minutes after Scunthorpes’ late goal, Joe
Starbuck, already on a yellow card, received a second caution for simulation meaning
Andy Butler's side had 14 minutes plus added time to hold onto their lead. After resisting
pressure and making great saves, Brackley eventually netted a leveller in the 98th minute
as Danny Waldron nodded the ball home from close range.

After suffering defeat in the opening two matches of the season, our opponents have had a
change in form recently with three wins in their last four, and going into this game coming off the
back of a home victory against Altrincham. In the recent clash against Altrincham, the hosts
fought back having been a goal down, James Gale’s opener for the away side led to Eastleigh
being a goal down at the break, but it was a fast reaction for Kelvin Davis’, equalising in the 48th
minute through midfielder Kieron Evans, just three minutes before attacker Harvey Saunders
got the winner in the 51st minute after being substituted on at half time for The Spitfires.

After their resilient comeback, the hosts will be full of confidence for the midweek clash against the
Iron at the Silverlake Stadium and they will believe they have the players to hurt Scunthorpe.
Eastleigh players that United have to look out for are attackers Aaron Blair, and Paul McCallum.
McCallum 32 year old striker is a 32 year old striker with experience that can give the Spitfires a
different option up top. The striker was sent off late on in a victory against Aldershot, but after
missing three games as part of his suspension he is back available for his side looking to make
amends. Paul McCallum has shown in his first two seasons at Eastleigh he can score a serious
amount of goals when on top form, in the 23/24 season Paul delivered his best ever season
statistically scoring 35 goals from 43 matches for his side. Last season the number nine
declined in numbers after his stunning debut season, but still had a respectable season
reaching double figures netting eleven goals and assisting four times, showcasing his prolificity.

New signing Aaron Blair has hit the ground running at the club, and he arrives with a serious
goal scoring pedigree. Blair netted 17 from 46 appearances in the 23/24 season for Braintree,
then last season the attacker bagged 22 goals from 52 appearances at Maidstone further
showing his prolific nature, and the 25 year old has settled in rather quickly at Eastleigh too.
Blair, having made appearances in all six league games, has netted three goals, more
than any of his teammates and has shown himself to still be a goal scoring threat that the Iron
will want to watch out for.

Having not kept a clean sheet yet this season but coming agonisingly close against Brackley conceding right at the end, Maison Campbell and his defence in front of
him will be determined to get the first clean sheet of the season, but this clash will be a difficult
game to do it in. Looking to get back to winning ways the Iron’s travels to Eastleigh will be a fascinating watch with the front three for United always a goal scoring threat. But against an in-form Eastleigh side
in front of their fans on a Tuesday night, it would have to be a very good performance for
Scunthorpe United to get all three points.