The Iron are back in action, now on the road to Gateshead, looking to get back to winning
ways after a goalless draw against Hartlepool United. Scunthorpe confirmed their play-off
qualification in a fixture that they ultimately failed to make it five wins from their last six,
as they failed to break the deadlock against the Pool. The Iron were let off in the dying
moments of the match as Alex Reid hit the woodwork from close range. Next up is the bottom-half Gateshead side, who have found themselves in decent form, picking up
points against some of the top teams in the division.
In the reverse fixture, United faced Gateshead during a real rough patch for the club from the
North East. Gateshead faced Scunthorpe in the middle of a period of fixtures that the club lost
16 consecutive matches. The Iron defeated Gateshead 2-0 at the Attis Arena, the opener being
a Cal Roberts penalty and a Danny Whitehall stoppage time finish, confirming all three points.
With just four games left to play, newly promoted Scunthorpe have a play-off spot confirmed
after the point against Hartlepool, and will be looking to continue their good form and
momentum going into this match. Gateshead were struggling, looking relegation-bound at one
point in the season, but now find themselves comfortably clear of the drop zone by six points.
The club from Tyneside have lost just one of their last five, with three wins and one draw.
Gateshead have beaten York City at home and recently picked up a point away at Carlisle,
causing problems for serious sides in the division.
Despite the fact that they have won their last three home matches, Gateshead have one of the worst
home records in the table; only Morecambe have picked up fewer points. With only five wins from
21, and 17 points from a possible 63. The Heed have struggled for home form this season, but
look like they are turning that around, facing United at a good moment in the season.
Two players who could cause Scunthorpe’s defence some problems are Harry Chapman and
Keaton Ward. Chapman is a left-sided attacker and the current top scorer for his club with eight
league goals to his name, with four assists. The winger has been extremely important since
making the move from Barnet. Ward has also been impressive from the wing for the Heed since
joining in the January transfer window from Altrincham. Ward has six goals and seven assists
this season, two goals and two assists for Altrincham, and four goals and five assists for our
opponents, Gateshead. He got an assist against the Iron in our defeat to Altrincham earlier in
the season, and has got into positive form recently, scoring and assisting against York and
bagging a goal in a win over Yeovil Town too.
As both sides look to continue their momentum, the match is tough to call, with the hosts having
more to play for as they look to close down on confirmation for survival, meanwhile, the Iron are looking to continue good form as they head into the playoffs.
